Jon Gruden Suddenly Likes the Idea of the Buccaneers Playing in England

You would think that Jon Gruden wouldn't like the idea of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers losing a home game to play in England, especially after seeing the mess that was last October's Giants-Dolphins game in Wembley Stadium. And you would be wrong.

"I think that would be a great experience for us; I really do. Representing the NFL over there (in England) would be a great thrill. It would be an honor actually. I mean, I had the chance to coach a preseason game against the Jets in Japan in 2003; I've coached in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, in the Senior Bowl. That's one more thing that you can say you did."

I suspect, however, that this doesn't have much to do with Gruden looking to get another stamp on his passport. Gruden's boss, Malcolm Glazer, also owns Manchester United, and I wouldn't be surprised if Glazer wants Gruden to back a Bucs' game in England in order to get next season's game moved to Old Trafford, which has a much better playing surface than Wembley.

If that happens, Man U chief executive David Gill can probably expect more graffiti at his house. Glazer isn't all that popular Manchester these days.