The Continuing Saga of Tampa Bay Buccaneer Fan!

When I think back to why I hate Jon Gruden ten years from now (and eight after he's blown town, one way or another), I'll remember two guys: Todd Steussie and Darrell Russell. Steussie, I've talked about at length - he's the 33 year old has been offensive lineman who Gruden gave a larger contract than some upper-echelon, in their prime players had received that offseason. He embodies the ineptitude of the Gruden era when it comes to managing the checkbook.

Darrell Russell made me hate the Gruden era for an entirely different reason.

Darrell Russell was born May 27, 1976, in Pennsacola, Florida. He attended The University of Southern California from 1995 through 1997, departing after his junior year for the NFL draft. The Oakland Raiders, a year before Jon Gruden's arrival, drafted the 6'5, 320 lbs defensive tackle with the second overall pick that year, despite questions about maturity and leadership. Russell had something of a reputation as a man-child then. He was considered the most talented defensive tackle to enter the league since Warren Sapp two years earlier, and his size made him an even better prospect. He could absolutely take over games, as only the greats can. On the other side of things, he was considered difficult by the USC coaching staff, and had been reprimanded and benched at various points during his college career. This, of course, made him the ideal Raider.

Russell enjoyed a solid rookie season on a doomed team - 43 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an impressive 6 pass deflections. Jon Gruden took over for deposed Art Shell in 1998, and Russell really exploded as a player. In 1998 and 1999, Russell totaled 87 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and 6 pass deflections. He was generally considered to be, along with guys like Sapp, LaRoi Glover of the Saints, and John Randle of the Vikings, to be one of the best defensive tackles in the game. He goes to the Pro Bowl both seasons.

Then things went downhill.

Russell's immaturity, lack of focus, and lack of commitment to improving began overshadowing his talent the next year. Despite playing in 16 games, his play dropped off, to the tune of 33 total tackles and only 3 sacks. These were solid, pedestrian numbers, but much less than he was capable of.

The next season, 2001, he failed his first drug test, on account of extasy in his system, and was suspended four games. Considering he only played in 11 total that year, his 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks could be considered improvement, but the bloom was off the rose, as they say. The following offseason, he was suspended for a second drug violation, this time for possession of the date rape drug, for a year. He would not play in 2002, but that was the least of his problems.

He and two friends - both convicted felons - were arrested and tried for drugging (with GHB - the date rape drug, with which he had previously been arrested in an unrelated incidient) and raping a woman in Los Angeles. The rape was videotaped. The prosecutor was later forced to drop the charges on technicality, despite a belief that Russell was "guilty as hell." A testament to his guilt was the successful civil suit that was later filed by the young woman.

The suspension and the trial didn't monopolize all of Russell's time, though - he did manage to get arrested for drunk driving in August of 2002.

Russell was reinstated midway through 2003, and immediately signed with the floundering Washington Redskins. He makes zero impression on the field - 6 total tackles and no sacks in 6 games. Despite running the loosest, least-discipline oriented team in the league (by a wide-margin), then-coach Steve Spurrier dismissing Russell midseason after mouthing off to coaches and showing up to meetings late, or not at all. This, on what is supposedly Darrell Russell's "second chance." He does not play again in 2003.

Can you guess where I'm going with this? Jon Gruden signs his old friend to a contract prior to training camp in 2004. When questioned about the move, Gruden spouts off about "no conviction" and "good young man" and "second chances (by my count, this is his fourth second chance in the NFL alone)." Russell IMMEDIATELY fails a drug test (within a week of camp opening) and is suspended indefinetly. Indefinetly ended today, according to the Commish.

Gruden, by the way, continues to defend the move on the grounds that there was no salary cap damage done. I wonder if he'll do it again this season?

It reminds me of a joke I heard about Gruden, though I bet it could apply to a lot of coaches:

Gruden walks into his office, and waiting for him are two young men and his head scout. The scout says, "Coach, I you asked me to bring you a couple of young to fill the roster vacancy. I found you these guys. They're both ready to sign with us right now. They grade out as very similar prospects, but there are character differences. Jones here was an academic All American, he does work with his church, and he's a loving husband and father. Smith, on the other hand, was kicked out of school for date rape, he's been in prison four times, and he cursed me out when I introduced myself. Which one of these guys do you want to sign with us ?"

Gruden looks up at the scout and says, "Which one is holding the pen?"