TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- After finding the price too steep for Jon Gruden, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have apparently set their sights on Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis.
The St. Petersburg Times reported Friday the Buccaneers plan to offer their coaching job to Lewis, who has coached in Baltimore for the last six years and is best known for running the defense that set the NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season in 2000.
Bucs officials told the newspaper that no formal announcement will be made until Monday to give Lewis time to assemble a staff.
But the reported hiring is a curious one for the Bucs since team vice presidents Joel and Bryan Glazer, the sons of Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer, cited offensive problems as the reason for Tony Dungy's firing last month.
Gruden, the offensive-minded coach of the Oakland Raiders, appeared to be a perfect fit for Tampa Bay after Bill Parcells jilted the Bucs.
Gruden is in the final year of his contract with the Raiders and his agent, Bob LaMonte, has made it clear that Gruden does not want to sign an extension. But that did not stop Raiders owner
Al Davis from asking for a huge compensation package from Bucs General Manager Rich McKay for Gruden to be let out of the final year of his contract.
According to the St. Petersburg Times, Davis is believed to have asked for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warren Sapp, several first-round picks and cash.
Lewis, 43, interviewed for the Buffalo Bills job that went to Gregg Williams last year after the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. Last month, he interviewed for the Carolina Panthers job that was given to New York Giants defensive coordinator John Fox.
The Bucs made the playoffs four of the last five seasons on the strength of a strong defense led by Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks and safety John Lynch. The offense never ranked higher than 21st, despite the additions of receiver Keyshawn Johnson and quarterback Brad Johnson over the past two seasons.
