Jon Gruden, in his first year at the Bucs helm, takes on the team he coached just a year ago. Receiver Tim Brown is one of many in Raider silver and black who expressed hard feelings - or was it sour grapes? - toward Gruden after he sailed for pewter pastures.

Oakland tackle Lincoln Kennedy said last week Gruden had a "Napoleonic complex," always having to display his authority. Kennedy also accused his former coach of saying one thing in front of the cameras and running a different route behind closed doors.

And Gruden is not the only leading man in Super Bowl XXXVII facing a former team harboring a hint of resentment.

Remember Frank Middleton? The Raiders" left guard will be going head-to-head with several of his former Tampa Bay teammates - most notably defensive tackle Warren Sapp, with whom Middleton had a running feud.

"My best memory of Tampa Bay? Leaving," Middleton said after the Raiders beat Tennessee for the AFC championship. "Seeing [Tampa] in my rear-view mirror."

Could a "pirate" theme be any more fitting for this game?

As compelling as the stories are, though, they are just that: Stories. No more. No less.

Gruden will not coach the game any differently because he has warm feelings for some of the men on the other sideline, including Raiders coach Bill Callahan.

Nor will he call any sideline patterns toward the Raider bench simply on the odd chance one of his detractors will find himself in the way.

What makes for a good story often has no bearing on the outcome of a game - even if that game has Roman numerals behind its name.

Fans' comments As a Buc fan and lifelong Tampa resident who just recently moved to Silicon Valley, I heard an awful lot from the 49er fans a couple of weeks ago - until we whipped them. Now I'm getting an even bigger earful from the obnoxious Raider fans. I can't wait to toss it back at them a week from today. Now here's my interesting storyline that I haven't heard too many folks talking about: Because we've made it to the Super Bowl, those first- and second-round picks that Oakland gets from us next year for Gruden are certainly worth a lot less. And when we stomp the Raiders on Sunday, they can think about what they gave up by letting Chucky go, as well as their diminished compensation they will receive by losing the big one. - JEFF COHEN, Palo Alto, Calif. Let's break it down. Bucs speed versus the old men of the Raiders. We all know that speed kills, and it's time for those old guys of the Raiders to hang it up. - KENNY SPINDOLA, Tampa I grew up in Plant City and even after my 10 years in the military where I had to defend our beloved Bucs in many cities and countries, I am so proud today to say that we indeed are NFC champions. I believe that Oakland will be surprised at our defensive speed and our improved offense. As has been the case most of the year, the Raiders will underestimate us and we will win 31-21. - Terry Phillips, Greensboro, N.C. My grandfather, Johnny Vandermeer, who was a professional athlete, always told me defenses win championships, and it is who gets hot in the playoffs. These are two great teams who are evenly matched. I believe the Bucs have the advantage due to having a great coach who really knows how to motivate his players, and change his coaching strategy as the game progresses. - Troy Coverdale, Tampa Everyone expected the Bucs to lose at Philly. Everyone expects the Bucs to lose in San Diego. We shall see about that on Sunday. - Robert Smith, Afton, Tenn. This game will definitely be a great matchup. The coaches will have to come up with offensive and defensive schemes that are not recognizable. The colors are similar as well as the logos. Our offense should continue to put points on the board an d the defense should have a lot of fun chasing Gannon. Being at near full strength, we should be able to handle whatever they throw at us. Bucs 31, Raiders 21. - Mel Harvey, Floral City The biggest story line has to be Jon Gruden going against his former team. I don't like Frank Middleton or Regan Upshaw, they are "Traider haters." Give a shout out to the Glazers, Tampa fans, Grnden and the players. I'm so happy for this organization. I think Gruden will lead us to more Super Bowls, watch out in the NFC. - Todd Dillon, Charlotte, N.C. Finally the Bucs have made it to the big show. The Bucs made it there with hard work and class, unlike the Raiders, who seem to like the down and dirty way of playing. But I think they (the Raiders) will find out pretty quick that the Bucs can play that game also. When the Bucs won against the Eagles the Tampa fans showed up and also showed their class for the Bucs. Out here in Raider Land when the Raiders won, their idiot fans started to riot and some were arrested. Let the Pirate wars begin. - Lonnie Grimes, Martinez, Calif.