Letters to the Editors

Hey, Chucky, climb aboard the A-Train

The Bucs' ground game ranks near the bottom of the NFL because the closest our new featured back (Michael Pittman) has come to the Pro Bowl is watching the game on TV, while a five-time Pro Bowl starter (Mike Alstott) rides the bench. It's time to wake up, Chucky, and smell the locomotive fumes. The A-Train needs to be put back on its tracks. You can't ride a Pittman all the way to San Diego, but you can take the A-Train.
-- Beth Brock, Clearwater

I was sick of all the hoopla given to Michael Vick by most of the sports media. You'd think he was Joe Montana and Steve Young rolled into one. Well, the Bucs sure changed that, making Vick look like an ordinary quarterback. I got a big charge out of Howie Long, who said on Fox NFL Sunday, "The Bucs never have seen anyone like Michael Vick." It's a good thing they took Vick out of the game, or else the Bucs would have sacked him four more times.
-- Jimmie Carra, Port Richey

I must say I'm impressed with the Bucs offense. Derrick Brooks is unstoppable -- whether on a 5-yard curl or a pitch on the option from Warren Sapp, he continues to put points on the board. The defense didn't look too bad, with Keyshawn Johnson picking off a pass intended for Juran Bolden and racing 76 yards for the score. It's not often you see the defense score, so it's a nice change. Usually our defense is more concerned with field position and chewing up the clock to preserve the points put on the board by our "real" offense.
-- David Eisenbart, Pinellas Park

Not even the arrival of offensive guru Jon Gruden has lifted the Bucs out of their funk, as evidence by the No. 23 ranking, and the fact the team's linebacker corps has scored as many touchdowns (four) as the combined visits to the end zone by the wide receivers. Not only is Tampa Bay taking the ball away with frequency, having scored defensive touchdowns in four straight games, but leaders like Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks are stepping back to the forefront. It's on offense, where Brad Johnson has been just effective enough at times, where help is needed. The Bucs have to get more vertical and also get Michael Pittman going.
-- Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com

So the Bucs have won four straight games after losing their opener. But I wouldn't start talking Super Bowl just yet. Their first five opponents are a combined 7-16, and the team that owns four of those wins (New Orleans) beat the Bucs.
-- S.E. Ross, Spring Hill

Tim Couch is coming off his worst week as a Brown. Fans cheered his head injury Sunday, and he might not have started today if backup Kelly Holcolmb hadn't fractured his tibia Sunday night trying to rally the offense. The Bucs are gaining on defense. They have taken four defensive plays back for touchdowns in the past four games. Their mission will be to target Couch to keep the streak going.
-- John Clayton, ESPN.com