Sports |
Bucs
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Gimme 5
By JOHN ROMANO
Published October 3, 2005
 |
Related Content:
|
|
|
Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio:
PLUCK OR LUCK? The defense has been great, the offense has gotten better, but the referees have been invaluable. Seriously, the Bucs could be 1-3 if not for some borderline calls. There was a pass interference penalty that bailed the Bucs out against Minnesota, the Brian Griese (non)fumble in the Packers game and now the touchdown reversal. It may have been the correct call Sunday, but I'm not sure it crossed the conclusive threshold.
BETTER THAN EVER: Nearing his 34th birthday, Joey Galloway is getting younger by the day. Fully healthy, Galloway is on pace for his best season since he was a Pro Bowl receiver with Seattle in 1998. In the past 20 years, only two Bucs receivers have topped Galloway's 166 yards Sunday.
FLASHBACK: Interceptions, a missed field goal and a defensive gag in the final minutes. Shouldn't the Bucs have been wearing throwback jerseys?
NOT A GOOD SIGN: You are a defensive coordinator preparing to play the Bucs. What is your game plan? Based on Sunday's performance, you should focus on stopping the run and making Griese throw. For a guy with a reputation for being intelligent and accurate, Griese has far too many interceptions. Going back to last season, he has 13 in his past eight games.
BEST THREAT YET: He gained 1 yard in his final 10 carries, but Cadillac Williams still had an impact. Tampa Bay is using the play-action pass with far greater success than last season. Just the hint of a handoff is now causing defenses to pause, making the passing game that much better. Provided, of course, the ball is thrown to an offensive player.
A LIST OF FIVE
Five signs you're on a bad football team:
5. Quarterback was hired off monster.com.
4. Instead of steroids, trainer hands out Marlboros.
3. Fans refer to you as the Devil Rays of the NFL.
2. Penalized for unnecessary roughness during team prayer.
1. Matt Millen is the team president.
FIVE REASONS TO LOVE THIS DEFENSE
1: The Bucs have given up 45 points this season, and you could blame more than half on the offense. Twenty-three have come off turnovers that were returned for a score or that set the opponent up in Bucs territory.
2: After 10 drives, the Lions had six first downs. With a ratio like that, the Bucs should have had a three-touchdown lead by then.
3: Shelton Quarles does not age. There were whispers that Barrett Ruud might push Quarles at middle linebacker. Keep on whispering because the old guy can't hear you. At 34, Quarles is still at the top of his game.
4: Monte Kiffin made it a priority to stop the run this season. The Bucs are first in the NFL in run defense, giving up 61.5 yards per game. Perhaps someone can ask Monte to make the Devil Rays rotation a priority in 2006.
5: Since 2000, the Bucs are 44-12 when giving up fewer than 20 points. This franchise has always been driven by defense.
FIVE SUPER PICKS
Checking out the best bets for Super Bowl XL in Detroit: 1. EAGLES: NFC could come down to who is healthier, McNabb or Vick.
2. COLTS: Eli Manning's brother might be pretty good.
3. FALCONS: South Division showdown with Bucs isn't until Nov.20.
4. PATRIOTS: Even at 2-2, I'll take them over most teams.
5. BUCS: A world without Cadillac did not look reassuring.
FINAL FIVE WORDS
Just as good as Cincinnati.
[Last modified October 3, 2005, 06:15:49]
Share your thoughts on this story
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
