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Bucs
Gimme 5
By JOHN ROMANO
Published November 28, 2005
Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio:
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING: Jon Gruden took the high road. So did his players. No one wanted to point a finger at Matt Bryant for this loss, so I'll be gracious, too. I'll merely point out that coming into the weekend, NFL placekickers had converted 96.4 percent of field goals of 29 yards or less.
OBLIGATORY PLAYOFF PICTURE: The Bucs are still in position for the second wild card in the NFC, but their position is a little more tenuous with Atlanta and Minnesota gaining ground this week. If you're looking for positives, the Bucs hold a tiebreaker advantage against both. And, as ugly as the schedule looks for Tampa Bay, it may be even worse for the Falcons.
ON SECOND THOUGHT: Steve Young called. Said he got Chris Simms confused with Matt Bryant.
CAN ANYONE ELSE RUN A ROUTE? Keyshawn Johnson left in a snit, Keenan McCardell left in a huff and Joe Jurevicius left with a limp. All of which may explain why the Bucs are down to one dependable receiver. Tampa Bay has had a wideout or tight end go over 85 yards seven times this season - and Joey Galloway has accounted for all seven.
SPREADING THE BURDEN: They need only point to Bryant's 29-yard miss as explanation, but it's worth wondering whether the Bucs should have been thinking about field goals earlier. Gruden chose to punt instead of attempting a 50-yarder in the second quarter, and Simms took a sack on third down to move out of range in the third quarter.
A LIST OF FIVE
Five reasons Bucs were fourth in S I's poll of least classy franchises:
5: Gate 1: Patdowns. Gate 2: Lap dances.
4: Team motto: Just fib, baby.
3: Rookies must memorize the Miranda warning.
2: Defiled Mickey Mouse during training camp in Disney.
1: Fell from No.1 when Warren Sapp left.
FIVE COMMON THREADS
BUCS LOSE TO JETS: Tampa Bay holds the Jets to 212 yards and allows only one drive of more than 50 yards. Yet the Jets win because Ty Law intercepts a Brian Griese pass and returns it to the 8 to set up an easy touchdown in a 14-12 victory.
BUCS LOSE TO 49ERS: San Francisco fails to score a touchdown and converts only nine first downs in 15 possessions. Yet the 49ers win because Chris Simms throws back-to-back interceptions in the third quarter, leading to a pair of field goals in a 15-10 victory.
BUCS LOSE TO PANTHERS: The Bucs trail 3-0 when Mike Rucker picks up a Cadillac Williams fumble and returns it to the 32. Three minutes later, the Panthers go up 10-0. Carolina later returns an interception for a touchdown and converts a fumble at the 19 into a field goal in a 34-14 victory.
BUCS LOSE TO BEARS: Tampa Bay holds Chicago to 12 yards in the first quarter and outgains the Bears 275-239. Yet the Bears win because Simms fumbles on the 1 to set up Chicago's only TD in a 13-10 victory.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: In their four losses, the Bucs have given up 76 points. Nearly half - 37 - were set up by turnovers in their own territory.
FIVE SUPER PICKS
Checking out the best bets for Super Bowl XL in Detroit:
1. COLTS: Even if the Steelers hammer them tonight.
2. GIANTS: Providing, of course, they get a placekicker.
3. BRONCOS: Only hope is stealing homefield advantage from Indy.
4. COWBOYS: Balance of power could shift when they go to New York.
14. BUCS: Three-game road trip will define the season.
FIVE FINAL WORDS
Suppose Martin Gramatica is smiling?
[Last modified November 28, 2005, 07:09:32]
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