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Gimme 5

By JOHN ROMANO
Published January 2, 2006

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio:

PHEEEEEW!: Winning that game was not just a question of pride. And it wasn't just the honor of winning a division title. Sunday's victory set the Bucs up for a legitimate shot at the NFC title game. It meant a home game in the first round, and Chicago instead of Seattle if the Bucs reach the second round. In other words, it was the difference between hopeful and farfetched.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: His time on the field has diminished, but Michael Pittman's impact has grown. Used creatively by Jon Gruden, Pittman has become a perfect change of pace on offense. With 310 touches, Cadillac Williams had seven plays of 20 yards or more. With 106 touches, Pittman had eight. Not to mention Pittman also had the longest kickoff return of the year on just his second attempt.

GAME BALL: To the cameraman who got the shot of Ronald McKinnon dropping what looked like a game-changing interception. From every other angle, it appeared to be a clean catch.

SHREWD MOVE: Dwight Smith whined about playing safety in Tampa Bay, called Gruden an egomaniac and suggested the Bucs had lost their hunger. So he goes to New Orleans where he's still playing safety, the team won three games and his stats slipped. Keep talking, Dwight, that's what you're good at.

MACHO AND MINDLESS: For the second straight week, the Bucs got a huge break from officials who did not call unsportsmanlike conduct penalties at a key moment. Dec. 24, it was Simeon Rice who was the aggressor in a fight. This time, it was Torrie Cox. Those are foolish, and selfish, moves at this point in the season.

A LIST OF FIVE

Five tips for postseason success:

5. Study Jim Mora's game plan - and do the opposite.

4. No sweets after 7 p.m.

3. Use Ashlee Simpson CD to simulate obnoxious crowd noise.

2. No hookers after 8 p.m.

1. Don't tell the players the Super Bowl is in Detroit.

FIVE ANSWERS TO

PRESEASON QUESTIONS

1. Can Matt Bryant do the job? Bryant was more than an upgrade at kicker, he was a revelation. The Chicago miss aside, Bryant had one of the most consistent seasons in Tampa Bay history. He converted 84 percent of his kicks, including an impressive 11-of-13 from 40 yards and beyond.

2. Is the defense over the hill? Not quite. So maybe this wasn't a return to the glory days, but it was a clear step forward. Still not enough turnovers and too many third-down conversions, but there weren't the late collapses of last season.

3. Can Brian Griese take this team to the playoffs? We may never know. Griese was 5-1 as a starter but looked shaky in the process. Soon to be 31 and coming off a major knee injury, he could have a difficult time unseating Chris Simms.

4. Will someone finally step up in the fourth quarter? Heck, they were lined up. In various games, Ronde Barber, Shelton Quarles, Derrick Brooks, Dewayne White, Simms, Williams and Bryant came through with clutch plays. In games decided by seven points or fewer, the Bucs were 2-8 in 2004. They were 6-2 this season.

5. Is Cadillac the answer? Are you kidding?

FIVE SUPER PICKS

Checking out the best bets for Super Bowl XL in Detroit:

1. COLTS: Time for Tony Dungy to work on his 5-7 postseason record.

2. SEAHAWKS: Last playoff victory was in 1984.

3. BRONCOS: Finally stepping away from John Elway's shadow.

4. GIANTS: Still hoping for a Tiki-Ronde collision.

9. BUCS: They're 4-1 at home in the playoffs, 1-6 in away games.

FIVE FINAL WORDS

Biggest turnaround in franchise history.

[Last modified January 2, 2006, 04:11:01]