Bennett the answer? Better than nothing

This week's electronic conversation between Sports columnists John Romano and Gary Shelton includes thoughts on Michael Bennett, kudos for Jeff Garcia and questions about how Matt Millen still has a job.

By GARY SHELTON and JOHN ROMANO, Times Columnists
Published October 21, 2007

JR: So, in the past three weeks, the Bucs have sent a running back, a tackle, another running back and a tight end off for X-rays. Are they shooting for the postseason or a spot on Grey's Anatomy?

GS: Both. They want to win their division, and they want to take Katherine Heigl to the prom. What's wrong with that? Now that you mention it, though, I wonder what kind of mileage the guy who drives the cart gets?

JR: Same as the running backs. About 3.2 yards per carry-off.

GS:At least the cart still runs. I thought the Bucs made an interesting move with Michael Bennett last week, though. Ah, if only it were still 2002.

JR: If it were still 2002, they wouldn't need Michael Bennett.

GS: Alas, here we are, and the Bucs and Bennett need each other. At trading deadline, he was the Bucs' best shot, and the Bucs might be his last shot. Do you think they can help each other?

JR: In the same way a Twinkie helps my appetite. Certainly not ideal but better than nothing.

GS: Given the way Jeff Garcia is playing, "better than nothing" might be enough at running back. At what age, exactly, did this guy become this impressive as a quarterback?

JR: I know this is going to sound loony - and, honestly, when am I not sounding loony? - but I think Garcia has been every bit as impressive as Mr. Matinee Idol in New England the past six weeks. Tom Brady has all kinds of weapons. Garcia has a rock and a rubber band.

GS: Being the sober one of us, I wouldn't go as far as to compare Garcia to Brady or Peyton Manning. But he's been terrific. It's going to come as a shock to Detroit fans who used to ask Garcia to clean up Matt Millen's mess.

JR: The Bucs have made it this far with a 50-50 run-pass ratio. At some point, they're going to start leaning much more heavily on Garcia. And, by the way, it's 3 p.m. I've been sober for several hours.

GS: If the Bucs are going to win, I think it's going to be a 50-50 defense-Garcia ratio. In other words, games are going to look as ugly as they did against Tennessee last week. Bring your Visine.

JR: It's a formula this franchise knows well. The Bucs are only scoring 18 points per game, but, then again, they averaged 18.7 points when they went 11-5 in 2005. I thought they pulled it off with smoke and mirrors in '05. Do they have more magic in them today?

GS: If they do, they should start with pulling a pass rush out of a hat. But, yeah, I like the Bucs today. I think a lot of Rod Marinelli, but he's surrounded by Millen and Mike Martz.

JR: Around here, we saw Chuck LaMar draw paychecks through eight straight losing seasons (with the Rays). But at least he was working with an expansion team. How, in heaven's name, did Millen survive a 24-72 record to get another shot this year?

GS: Beats me. I think he has pictures of William Clay Ford driving a Toyota. I hate to be mean to Millen because he was terrific to writers when he was a player. But for goodness sake, he might be the worst thing to come out of Detroit since the Fairlane.

JR: You're forgetting Kid Rock.

GS: I'm trying.

[Last modified October 20, 2007, 18:25:05]