A Belated Thank You, Monte Kiffin

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Because Sapp, Brooks, Lynch and Nickerson became household names across the league, it was easy to overlook the changes the underbelly of the Bucs' defense, and Kiffin, had to undergo during the stretch.

Sure, when Lynch departed at safety, the Bucs plugged in Jermaine Phillips.  But a chorus line of players has lined up the safety position opposite that duo. Donnie Abraham and Parker were a solid corner duo. But Parker was soon replaced by Ronde Barber. Abraham by Brian Kelly. Kelly by Phillip Buchanon.

The Tampa Two production line never stopped.

When Nickerson departed, he was replaced by Jamie Duncan. Duncan was overtaken by Shelton Quarles, whose job on the strongside was taken by Al Singleton. Both had learned behind Porter.

And when the biggest name on the defense wasn't resigned, Sapp's place was taken by Booger McFarland, then former practice squader Haye. Unwanteds Chris Hovan was plucked from Minnesota, Cato June from Indianapolis, Simeon Rice from Arizona.

There are too many examples too mention.

And Kiffin always used players off the NFL scrapheap to contribute. Few nationally may know Tyoka Jackson, Jeff Gooch, Steve White or Damien Robinson, but Kiffin knew how to use them. They were cogs in a Buc defensive machine.

And look at the original coaching staff Dungy and Kiffin compiled—defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, linebackers coach Lovie Smith and secondary coach Herman Edwards.

Though Marinelli's tenure in Detroit didn't work out, Edwards coached the Jets to the playoffs. Smith took the Bears to the Super Bowl.

Maybe you've heard of Edwards' replacement as secondary coach, some guy named Mike Tomlin.  He had a nice 2008. Another, Raheem Morris, will try to guide the Bucs post-Kiffin as head coach.

So now Jim Bates takes over the Bucs' D. He has huge shoes to fill. Bates is scrapping major parts of Kiffin's scheme. Undersized tackles and ends are out. The Bucs have cooled on zone corners like Barber. Linebackers have gotten bigger and more physical than the speed types Kiffin loved. Time will tell whether Bates can take the torch.

But chalk me down as one who would feel better with another full season of Monte.

So as Kiffin reaches the twilight of his coaching career in what must be every coach's dream, assisting with his son, I tip my hat to him. As he prepares at Tennessee for Tim Tebow and Steve Spurrier, I'm reminded of just what we had in Tampa Bay. And I wonder how Bates will do slowing Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and the Panthers running attack.

I have a sneaky suspicion Buc fans will soon miss Kiffin, too.

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