What must the Bucs do to rebound?
By JOHN ROMANO AND GARY SHELTON
Published September 17, 2006
This week's electronic conversation between Sports columnists Gary Shelton and John Romano focuses on what it's going to take for the Bucs to rebound from last week's 27-0 loss to the Ravens:
JR: Okay, Gary, I am putting you in charge of the Bucs this weekend. Along with having to learn dozens of new profanities invol-ving numerous body parts, you have to come up with a way to score against Atlanta. What's your plan?
GS: My plan is to have a plan, which evidently the Bucs didn't have last week. I'm going to invite everyone to criticize me for using Cadillac Williams too much. I'm going to run him at the Falcons' front four, which rushes the pass a lot better than it defends the run. Then I'm going to run him some more.
JR: Yes, but are you going to get the ball to Anthony Becht?
GS: No, Anthony Becht Day was last week. This week, he's the 82nd receiver in the progression. You'll see a lot of Becht, but it will be because he's blocking John Abraham (if Abraham plays).
JR: Speaking of blocking, I have come to realize Kenyatta Walker may be the best offensive lineman in the current Bucs lineup. And this is a team I said could make the playoffs. Should I be drug tested?
GS: I've always said that you should be. So should the guy in charge of this offensive line. But here we are. So to win, do the Bucs have to shut out the Falcons?
JR: No, that's silly talk. I think they can win 14-13 with Ronde Barber scoring on an interception return and Derrick Brooks taking a fumble 46 yards for a touchdown.
GS: I think holding the Falcons to 13 will be a chore. To do it, the Bucs are going to have to make Michael Vick play quarterback. Old Ron Mexico isn't nearly as dangerous as when he's rolling around the corner.
JR: According to that young lady's civil suit, ol' Ron is also pretty dangerous rolling in the hay..
GS: Pretty rash statement, John. But as long as we're talking about quarterbacks, what must the inside of Chris Simms' head feel like. He is pulled from Sunday's game, and by Tuesday, the Bucs were trying out other quarterbacks.
JR: I'm sure he's not whistling Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da, but he can't feel any worse than he did after the 49ers game last season. At least now, he has a little success behind him. He knows he can play in this league. I've heard dimwits suggest that Bruce Gradkowski could be a viable option for the Bucs this week. What has to happen for Simms to be benched?
GS: Except for an injury, Simms is this team's quarterback for as long as the season has a pulse. If a bad game is going to threaten a quarterback, then his team had better have done something in the offseason to prepare for it. Still, he's going to have to play better.
JR: The Bucs can certainly not afford an 0-3 start. So do they have a better chance of winning against Atlanta this week or Carolina next week? Or are you going to go all Richard Simmons on me and say they win both?
GS: The Vegas guys will pick the Bucs to lose both. I say they have a better chance against Atlanta. Especially if they can make Jim Mora coach.