BUCS

Muir In Charge Of Overhauling Bucs Offense

By IRA KAUFMAN The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jul 29, 2007

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Weary from patching leaks and determined to carve open some holes, Bill Muir is anxious to repair his reputation.

Tampa Bay's 64-year-old assistant, once described by Bill Parcells as "the best offensive line coach I've ever worked with," has yet to put his stamp on the Buccaneers through five seasons marked by early exhilaration and recent torment.

Since Muir joined Coach Jon Gruden on the staff of the 2002 championship team, the Bucs have averaged only 18.2 points in 80 regular-season games. The rushing attack, presumably Muir's specialty, has ranked 27th, 24th, 29th, 14th and 28th.

Tampa Bay averaged 19.9 points in Tony Dungy's final five years with the Bucs.

After tapping into free agency up front without much success, the Bucs invested heavily on the offensive line with premium draft picks the past two years.

It is now Muir's responsibility to develop that young talent in front of veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia and third-year pro Cadillac Williams, who found few running lanes last season.

"My greatest frustrations are the disappointing seasons we had in 2003, 2004 and 2006 and I am the first one to accept my share of the blame," said Muir, who preceded Gruden to Tampa by 11 days. "I know we could have been a better football team, but I can't change history."

Instead, Muir is eager to change the fortunes of a maligned unit that could feature three new starters.

"Nobody's left from the 2002 line that helped us win a Super Bowl," Gruden said Saturday. "Everyone's gone now. We think we've added some good players up front and Bill Muir has proven himself in this league. He's played a lot of different guys and had a lot of success."

The Bucs spent their first two picks of the 2006 draft on offensive linemen. Guard Davin Joseph and tackle Jeremy Trueblood started as rookies and are being counted on as fixtures on the right side.

Another potential cornerstone arrived this year when 319-pound guard Arron Sears was selected in the second round.

Veteran left tackle Luke Petitgout signed as a free agent and incumbent center John Wade is fighting off challenges by Matt Lehr and Dan Buenning, a 2005 rookie standout being switched from guard following a serious knee injury that undermined his second pro season.

"We have so much talent on this offensive line, we should be a dominant group," Trueblood said. "If we do our job up front, our skill players can shine - and we have some good ones. I have utmost respect for Coach Muir. This guy has seen everything and he's very respectful. At the same time, he might be the wittiest man I've ever met."

Tampa Bay's lack of offensive production isn't amusing to Buc fans. Last year's attack bottomed out as sixth-rounder Bruce Gradkowski unexpectedly made 11 starts under center and the Bucs topped the 14-point plateau only six times in 16 games.

"When you play with a rookie quarterback in this league, it's over," said Bucs quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett, who spent the 2001 season with Muir on the staff of the New York Jets. "You try to do the best you can, but it's over. Bill Muir's reputation in this league is impeccable. He's very creative, he has the ability to do multiple things in multiple ways and he's an exceptional teacher."

Hackett said Muir has a special feel for the running game. Adrian Murrell (two) or Curtis Martin (four) posted 1,000-yard rushing seasons during each of the final six years of Muir's seven-year stint in New York.

Since Muir and Gruden joined forces, Tampa Bay's offense peaked during the 2002 postseason, when the Bucs established an effective ground attack and rolled up 1,002 total yards while allowing one sack in three games.

"Our job is to apply pressure, not feel pressure," Muir said. "Nobody's happy with 4-12, but we think we've added some talent along the offensive line. I don't think it's the effort that has been lacking … it's the execution. Your job as an assistant is to make these players as good as they want to be. This game is from the neck up and if you have smart guys willing to work hard and play tough, good things will happen."

The question is when.

The Bucs haven't placed an offensive lineman in the Pro Bowl since 2000, when center Jeff Christy and guard Randall McDaniel represented Tampa Bay.

Although Gruden is demanding significant improvement up front, he doesn't appear to have lost any faith in Muir, who also boasts the title of offensive coordinator.

Muir's long NFL pedigree has hardly insulated him from a growing list of detractors. Some disgruntled Buc fans wonder why senior assistant Aaron Kromer, who joined the Bucs from Oakland in 2005, hasn't supplanted Muir as offensive line coach.

"I credit it all to Coach Muir, everything," said Anthony Davis, an undrafted lineman who is battling Sears at left guard after making 32 consecutive starts at left tackle for the Bucs. "When he tells you something and goes over it for a whole week and then you go out and miss an assignment, you'll catch his wrath. But the man is fair."

A 27-37 record from 2003-06 obviously has heightened tensions in Tampa.

The Glazers are running out of patience and jobs are on the line, including Muir's. Along with danger, there is opportunity.

"Bill Muir is unrelenting in his quest for perfection," Buenning said. "That's what drives him. Perfection is a hard goal to reach, but he keeps pushing guys. I think we have a good relationship. He knows I want to work and I know he's not gonna stop pushing."

In his short time with the Bucs, Petitgout has grown to respect the curmudgeon barking out the orders.

"Everyone knows Bill Muir is known as one of the top O-line coaches in this league," he said. "He's dedicated to the game and dedicated to his players. I find the guy enjoyable to be around, but let me say one thing - Bill Muir likes collisions."