But Jon Gruden deserves every ounce of praise that will be heaped upon him after becoming only the third coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in his first year with a team. In fact, with as many strong performances as the Bucs had in their 48-21 rout of Oakland, Gruden would have been a perfect choice for Most Valuable Player.

Don't get me wrong. Dexter Jackson was a deserving winner after intercepting Rich Gannon twice. Greg Spires, Dwight Smith, Michael Pittman, Derrick Brooks, Keenan McCardell and Brad Johnson - among others - also would have been perfectly valid honorees.

But it's hard to overstate the impact Gruden had on this championship club - a team that fell short of its potential in recent years. Gruden challenged them, inspired them and motivated them. He crafted a game plan that not only won in the playoffs; it left talented foes San Francisco, Philadelphia and Oakland in tatters. Gruden even played the role of Gannon in practice so his defense had a feel for facing the Raiders' league MVP.

That $8 million, four-draft pick compensation package the Bucs paid for their head coach now looks like a steal.

Fans' comments Unity. The team won. Not a person, not an offense, not the defense. The team. Our pride is that we secured a start to a new legacy here in Tampa Bay with teamwork, dedication and integrity. Our hats off to the Glazers, the executive staff, the coaching staff, and most of all to the players who illustrated what a formula of teamwork can accomplish. - Derek Raymer, St. Petersburg I would have to say that Brad Johnson was the most instrumental Buc in the Super Bowl. - Richard Podolsky, Tampa The defensive team members should have won the MVP award - they were awesome. - John Pagan, Jacksonville I moved from Tampa just before the playoffs and was able to see Michael Pittman's inability to run the ball. Do you think he should have gotten the MVP award because he was able to make some big runs just when it seemed he needed to? - Joshua DuBose, Newport News VA It's certainly hard to pick the one player that was most instrumental in the Super Bowl win. Just too many to name, but the defense was awesome. - Ruth Batting, Tampa They did it. After watching and hoping since the beginning of the franchise, the Bucs finally put the whole package together - owner, coach, players and performance. - Bud Boomhower, West Jefferson, NC John Gruden and Monte Kiffin were the most instrumental. I used to live in Riverview. Had to sell off my season tickets, But I'm a diehard Bucs fan even up here in New England. - Deb Schusterman, West Greenwich, R.I. The defensive line was awesome, but it seemed the whole team contributed to this victory. Hats off to the entire team. Really disappointed with Tupa's performance. - Tammy Christensen, Highland, Utah The offensive line, giving Brad Johnson time to find his receivers and execute the running scheme put in place by Coach Gruden. Kudos to the offensive line coach. This has been the missing element for a long time. It is now here. The NFL now knows the Bucs have arrived. - James Locke, Brooksville Truly memorable! The whole team played like champions from the beginning of the playoffs. We couldn't have won without Brad Johnson and the defense. The offensive line was amazing - no sacks in the last two playoff games. - Roger A. Stannard, Brandon I feel that this is probably the most complete team effort in a Super Bowl. Bucs fans have been put through a lot and even the poor officiating and the bias comments by John Madden still could not keep the Bucs from shining in Super Bowl XXXVII. - James Burns, N. Reddington Beach The most instrumental? The entire Tampa Bay region! The Bucs, the organization, the fans, the area. The entire team is a class act. They are involved in the community, volunteer and contribute to the region. - Greg George, Sarasota I think the most credit for this championship should not be focused on Gruden, but shared by Monte Kiffin and Rich McKay. - Kevin L. Campany, San Diego, CA The most instrumental Buc was Brad Johnson. If he has a bad performance, lots of things go wrong. The Bucs' incredible defense was just that, but in the face of the Raiders' pretty good defense, Brad led the Bucs for long drives, overcame the early turnover, threw two touchdown passes, etc. Brad gets my vote, because a bad performance by him could have ruined that glorious performance by the defense. - Brian M. Rowland, Jacksonville, FL In my opinion, I think it was the whole team, the coaches and staff, and the fans. (I also think the New York Jets should get a thank you note for beating the Packers to help us get that much-needed bye week). - Art Palmer, Largo Bill Muir. The Bucs proved over the past few years that our great defense can't win the big game by itself. For 26 years they haven't had a decent offensive line. Coach Muir pulled our line together and protected the quarterback. - Paul Cowan Jr., St. Petersburg I think the most instrumental Buc in the Super Bowl was the teamwork and no one Buc thinking he was better than the other. That said, Jon Gruden is awesome. - Lori Frevold, New Port Richey The entire defense. Built by Dungy and improved by Gruden. - Alex Marino, Temple Terrace I agree, it's the whole defensive unit. And didn't Madden and Michaels' agree, too? -- Lauren Berns, St. Petersburg Not just one player was instrumental in the Bucs' win over the Raiders. How about that defense? They deserve a lot of credit and praise for their victory. - Jesse Flores, San Antonio, Texas How can you choose just one? Kudos to the offensive and defensive lines for the Bucs. They set the tempo early and often and manhandled a team that was supposed to be physically and offensively dominant. I have been waiting 25 long years for this. Congratulations to the Buccaneer players, the city of Tampa, and all the patient fans across the U.S. that never gave up hope. - T. O'Donnell, Boston, Mass. It was a team effort. You can't give any one player all the credit, although one name does come to mind - Derrick Brooks. He is a quiet warrior, he doesn't make a lot of noise off the field, but he sure does make his presence known on the field. I think Brooks is the heart and Sapp is the mouth. Of course, I mean that in a positive way. Sapp backs up the talk. - John M. Busciglio, Pinellas Park Jon Gruden! What a fabulous leader. Tampa - as well as the team - is lucky to have him. But Gruden's the man. - Billie Johnston, Anchorage, Alaska I can't believe that Monte Kiffin wasn't on the stage with Gruden and Glazer. Kiffin is my first and only choice. The defense, along with the kicking game, scored enough points to beat Oakland. I know the offense came a long way, but it was the defense and Kiffin who made it happen. - Tom Falone III, Clearwater Simeon Rice for his outstanding pass rush creating openings for great plays in the secondary. All the big defensive linemen, where the battle was won. -- Susan Curtis, Steinhatchee I've been a northern Buc fan since the beginning. Thanks Bucs for ending 27 years of frustration. Everyone was instrumental during the season, playoffs and the Super Bowl. - Matthew D. Duffield, New Baltimore, MI I moved from St. Petersburg nine years ago. I was the only Buc fan at our Super Bowl party in San Jose, Calif. I think Jon Gruden was the most instrumental Buc. We were sorry to lose him in Oakland, but I was excited when he went to Tampa. - Sue Prokic Morris, San Jose, CA It should have been the entire Buccaneers' defense that received the MVP, because everyone on the defense took it up another notch to win the Super Bowl. You have Simeon Rice's sacks, Dexter Jackson's two interceptions, Dwight Smith's two TDs, Derrick Brooks' TD, Warren Sapp's and Greg Spires' tackles, Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly's coverage on the WRs. The entire defense was the most instrumental Buc in the Super Bowl. I'm so very proud of the team and Coach Gruden ... this is so exciting for them and the Tampa Bay Fans. - Vicki Jarvis, Pinellas Park Dexter Jackson was the most intrumental Buc in the Super Bowl. His two timely interceptions turned the tide. What a long strange trip fom '76 to champions. Thanks Bucs. You truly deserve to be champions. - Marc Mcquillen, Rock Hill SC How can I name one Buc? Still flying high from last night! Hats off to them all. Will mention Michael Pittman, sorry about all my bad comments, you played awesome! Simeon Rice wow. Love ya, Keyshawn. A-Train wow. Brad, Warren, Derrick, John Lynch. Just awesome, words can't describe it. Thank you Jon Gruden and last but not least thank you Glazers! - Sharon Duncan, Grenada, MS Now I can hold my head up high. I am a native of Tampa living up here in basketball country, where all they know of football is the Bears and Dolts (Not a typo, my name for them). GO BUCS!!!! - George L. Hinson, Fort Wayne, IN Brad Johnson - Robert Parrish, Tampa The Coaching - David Jenkins, Largo I really thought Dwight Smith was the most instrumental. He literally stepped on the throat of the Raiders whenever they tried to gasp for air! He is a force and will continue to be one! - Eric Robinson, Philadelphia, PA It's great to see the Buc's win the big one! I was also impressed with the great showing of Florida talent in the game. The big three, FSU, Florida, and Miami all must be proud of their former players winning the ultimate football prize. As a FSU alum I would like to congragulate Greg Spires, Brad Johnson, Derek Brooks, and MVP Dexter Jackson for making us all real proud! - Lee Thomas, St. Petersburg Why did the "Disney" honors go to Brad Johnson and Gruden? In the past it has always gone to the MVP. It seems that Disney slapped the face of the Bucs defense and EVERYONE knows that defense wins championships. - Colleen Parker, St. Petersburg They played as a team! All were magnificent and I am so proud of them but this time out, it was the team's goal of winning the Super Bowl, not individual glory. I just moved to Charleston last week after twelve years in Tampa. Timing is everything isn't it? - Chris Walz, Charleston, SC I have to say Michael Pittman was the man. He got the running game going that opened up everything else. I hope all of the long suffering fans, former players like James Wilder, Richard Wood and Doug Williams are enjoying every minute of this. - George Macedo, Winter Springs The Tampa Bay fans! If the Glazers had any class they would reduce the price of season tickets. After all the tax incentives created to support the team let the fans enjoy increase in wealth the Glazer's will enjoy! -- Dave Janeway, Land O' Lakes