BucShotz

By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published September 24, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [BRENDAN FITTERER | Times] St. Louis' Steven Jackson, the 6-foot-2, 231-pound wrecking ball who rushed 30 times for 115 yards, required gang tackles to be taken down, but the Bucs' defense was up for the challenge. Audio: Shelton: 'Garcia could run for mayor' Photo gallery

Team MVP

Make that five MVPs. The offensive line allowed only one sack, and the Bucs ran the ball like they were the 1968 Ohio State Buckeyes - 182 yards on 32 carries.

Best insight

Fox analyst Tim Ryan astutely pointed out that Bucs running back Cadillac Williams was having trouble holding onto the football and that it might have been because of his bruised ribs. After Williams turned the ball over early in the fourth quarter - a turnover that led to a Rams field goal - Ryan said, "You got to get him out of there. He clearly has issues holding onto the ball with that flak jacket. ... Perhaps a tactical error by Jon Gruden."

Later, when Williams went back into the game, Ryan said, "Maybe a little stubbornness by Jon Gruden."

Cadillac came out of the game one play later.

Worst sight

Seeing Bucs wide receiver Joey Galloway lying on the field. Fortunately, he was okay. But other than Jeff Garcia, can you think of another Bucs player you would most hate to see get hurt?

Strongest comment

Fox's Tim Ryan doesn't sound like he's picking Bucs defensive end Gaines Adams as his rookie of the year. "Quite frankly," Ryan said, "I don't think Gaines Adams is ready yet."

Best analyst

Speaking of Tim Ryan, left, he might be the most underrated color analyst covering the NFL. He's not big on irreverence or humor, but his analysis is spot-on. He calls plays before they happen. He is quick with tendencies and trends. His instant analysis on replays is on the mark. If he had been a bigger name as a player, Ryan would be on someone's No. 1 announcing team.

Worst play

That end-around, double-reverse to Michael Clayton that the Bucs have whipped out a few times this year? It's time to take that play, put it in a locked safe, put the safe on a boat, drive the boat about 500 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico and then ... blow up the boat.

Favorite commercial

Half the fun these days of watching sports on television is waiting for that AT&T dropped-call commercial when the butcher asks for roast beef and the meat guy says he doesn't have it. "Don't give me that," the butcher says, "What, did your wife woof it down for breakfast?"

That commercial is funny every time it's on. The new Wade Phillips-Tony Romo commercial for Pepsi Max is good stuff, too.

Best hustle

Great director's work by Fox to keep cameras fixed on Bucs coach Jon Gruden and wide receiver Michael Clayton after a Clayton drop and fumble on the Bucs' last drive in the first half. Watching Chucky light up a player never fails to be scary. And funny at the same time.

Best call

Remember that Bucs fumble return for a touchdown that was wiped out by Kevin Carter, left, lining up offside? Fox never showed a good replay, but, just before the play (for one of the few times all day), Fox's cameras were right on the line of scrimmage at ground level. If you had a DVR, you could rewind and pause - which is exactly what I did. And Carter was clearly lined up in the neutral zone. If you're a Bucs fan, you hate to admit it, but the official made the right call.

Most forgotten player

Isn't it funny how every time the TV network people talk about Jon Gruden's quarterbacks, they talk about how Jeff Garcia is Gruden's favorite since Rich Gannon, right, in Oakland? That's probably true, but it just seems strange how we all skip over the quarterback who won Gruden his only Super Bowl: Brad Johnson.

Worst highlights

I threw up a little bit in my mouth every time Fox showed highlights of the Eagles-Lions game. Did you see those Eagles uniforms? A mix of blue-and-yellow jerseys looked like they were designed by a 3-year-old using crayons for the first time. "Those are throwback uniforms," Fox analyst Tim Ryan said. "Throwback. Yeah, they should throw them back!"

[Last modified September 23, 2007, 22:40:46]