Apparently Bucs’ ownership took into account what the fans wanted when they fired head coach Jon Gruden two weeks ago.

Co-owner Bryan Glazer stopped in at the Super Bowl media center today and elaborated on ownership’s decision-making process.

“We talked to a lot of people, but we not only talked to the players, but (also) out in the community getting a feel for the team,” Glazer said. “We get opinions and we mix them all together. We just took our time making that decision.”

Asked further about the community feedback, Glazer said, “Our fans are our stockholders. They’re what we play for — the people in our stadium and the ones that watch on TV. That’s what it’s all about: winning and how they feel about the team. If they don’t feel good about the team, then there’s something wrong. . . I think you all know the sense that’s out there. It was time for a change.”

It was impossible to ignore the venom from the fan base in the wake of the team’s late-season collapse, and many fans were outspoken and vehement in making their feelings known from the team’s own website to local talk radio. And Gruden, in particular, was never considered a very likable personality and had little relationship with the community despite being the face of the franchise, something the Glazers no doubt were sensitive to.

Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank also refers to fans as “stockholders”, which is definitely a unique way to view things. But the fact remains that fans should have zero input on what sports teams operate in terms of player and coaching personnel. Fans are irrational, emotional and often have no idea what’s really going on behind the scenes. (Not unlike sports writers.)

Not that the fans played a huge role in Gruden being fired, but they shouldn’t have been factored in at all. You want to keep your fans happy? Win. Ultimately, they don’t care if Raheem Morris, Jon Gruden or Sponge Bob Square Pants is running the team – as long as the team is winning, everything is copacetic.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank recently told ESPN that he would support the league’s decision to allow convicted felon Michael Vick back into the NFL. But also that his team is all set at quarterback.

“He’s written me and I’ve answered him,” Blank said. “I certainly wish Michael well in the future. I believe in second chances. I believe in third chances. That doesn’t mean I believe in forever chances. But I do believe he’s capable of redemption and learning from his mistakes.”

“We’re committed to Matt Ryan,” Blank said. “Even before his early success, we were committed to Matt Ryan. We made that decision when we drafted him. When you select someone in the draft at that level and pay him what we’re paying him, you expect him to be successful and you expect him to be a team leader.”

Copies were obtained of the letters that Blank and Vick wrote to each other:

Dear Mr. Blank,

If I promise to buy one puppy a month for the rest of my life and give it to a loving family, can I please come back into the NFL?

Sincerely,
MiChAeL ViCk

Dear Michael,

I don’t care what the hell you do with the rest of your life. You can go play in the NFL, CFL, AFL or XFL for all I care – we have Matt Ryan. And the great thing about having Matt Ryan is that not only can the kid find open receivers on a consistent basis (something you failed to do even semi-regularly), but he also doesn’t own a dog. In fact, he doesn’t own any animals that we know of. And most importantly, he’s yet to give some chick the herp, he doesn’t own trick water bottles used to carry weed, and he doesn’t give our fans the double-fingered salute when he’s walking out of the Georgia Dome.

So go F-yourself Michael,
Arthur