Malcolm Brought The Attitude
December 9th, 2012
Joe’s been a bit surprised he hasn’t heard Malcolm Glazer’s name mentioned amid all the endless hype surrounding today’s 10-year anniversary celebration of the 2002 Super Bowl champion Buccaneers.
Say what you want about the elder Glazer, who’s been about of the public eye for years because of serious health issues, it was his winning-is-everything mentality that drove the Bucs’ glory years.
Essentially, Glazer bought the team in 1995 and went all out to build a winner from arguably the worst-run franchise in professional sports.
He chased big-name coaches, strong-armed the community to build a stadium, and spent gobs of money on payroll and wasn’t satisfied with merely being a lasting contender. A title was the primary goal, and the historic future-mortgaging ransoms paid for Keyshawn Johnson and Jon Gruden (four first-round picks and two second-round picks) were evidence that Glazer would pay any price. As Raheem Morris might say, “Glazer took his underwear off, put on his big boy pads, and put his face on people.”
Glazer intentionally shunned the limelight but was greatly involved. Consider these St. Pete Times quotes from Chucky and Rich McKay back in ’04.
“The reality is he’s very much with his sons on top of the everyday goings on here,” Gruden said. “I’m not just talking about the X’s and O’s. I’m talking about player personnel, the facility, every aspect of the organization.”
Rich McKay, the Bucs’ general manager from 1995 to 2003 who now holds the same job with the Atlanta Falcons, said Glazer does not micromanage. “He states his expectations and does it in a simplistic manner. You know what results he wants. … He told me the big picture and you run with it.”
Joe just felt, given how much the founder of Team Glazer has been ignored this week, that it was important to remember his contribution to the title.
December 9th, 2012 at 9:59 am
I’ll give Daddy Malcolm a lot of credit. I miss him running this franchise. Its been better though recently since Brian stepped in and relieved Joel
December 9th, 2012 at 10:08 am
Love him or hate him, this franchise would be the Cardinals, or worse yet, the Lions, if the Culverhouses remained in power or somebody like him had taken over.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Love Mr. Glazer. It’s ironic since his health has forced his sons take over the team, it hasn’t had the same success. On another note: @Joe.. You have a great topic and a great article and you ruin it by throwing a Morris quote. Please leave the past that does not need mentioning out of articles glorifying our histotorical superbowl run. It wasn’t funny when he said it the first time and its not funny or need mentioning now. Other than that great way to include the owner who needs to be remembered.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:20 am
JOE here,
@Brad – Relax, dude.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Give the Glazers all the credit!! 1st off we move to L.A without them in 1995.Then from 97-2004ish spent money on who ever the gm wanted! Also, thankfuly vetoed the marvin Lewis hire. Thank you Glazers!!!!!
December 9th, 2012 at 10:24 am
It’s interesting that once the elder Culverhouse went underground due health issues the team began it’s swan dive.
It seems the younger Glazers were more concerned with payroll/making money/ then with winning. I wonder if maybe with the ‘resurgance’ of the Schiano era maybe Malcom is getting healthier and taking a more hands on approach?
All I know is the Glazers are a much better upgrade of the Culverhouses and Jerry Jone’s of the NFL.
December 9th, 2012 at 11:39 am
Good point, the man saved the Bucs.
December 9th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Glad to see you write this, Joe. As in any organization, success comes from the top. I ask you to show me 1 single organization whether it be a private business or sports franchise, that is a consistent winner, without an excellent owner. And just because an owner appears to be a great owner, it doesn’t mean that’s the case either…i.e. Jerry Jones. Go Bucs!