BucShotz

Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at Sunday's Bucs-Redskins game.

By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published November 26, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Bucs coverage Photo gallery Audio: Instant analysis with Gary Shelton In-game blog: Stephen F. Holder breaks down the game 5 plays worth another look Barber's big day even more special for ailing youngster Gradkowski struggles in relief role Quotebook Hearty feast on turnovers Romano: Gimme 5 Shelton: Bubble Wrap that back Taking one away [Brian Cassella | Times] Most reliable Bucs player: Punter Josh Bidwell had seven punts for a 50.4 average and three dropped inside the 20.

Question of the day

Don't you wonder what Shaun King is up to these days? Or, heck, even Earl Morrall?

Most frustrating listening

Bucs radio guys Gene Deckerhoff and Dave Moore drove us crazy during Washington's final drive. There are two things you want to know during that drive: where the ball is and how much time is left. They did okay with where the ball was, but they were painfully slow in giving us the time and whether the clock was moving or stopped. It must be one of the first things out of their mouths after each play and too often, it wasn't.

Worst penalty

Can someone with the Bucs please explain how you can have too many men on the field for an extra point? It seems pretty simple. Eleven guys. Someone gets hurt and someone else goes in. But how does "someone else" go in if no one else is hurt. And if you're the "someone else," don't you notice that someone is standing where you're supposed to line up once you get out there?

Worst injury

After all the hits Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia has taken this season, didn't it seem odd that he was injured on a play that didn't look all that bad? Just goes to show how hard NFL players hit on every play.

Worst call

Joe Gibbs is a Hall of Fame coach, for sure. But don't you have to question his decision to go for it on fourth and 1 at the Bucs 4 with 2:05 left in the third quarter? Down 19-10, don't you put points on the board and get the game to within a touchdown? Especially with the Bucs offense suddenly stalled with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback? Maybe Gibbs was thinking that if the Bucs stopped the Redskins, Gradkowski inside his own 5 wasn't going to do anything, but still, if I were a Redskins fan, I'd want old Joe explaining that one.

Oldest question

Okay, one should never count on kickoff returns for touchdowns. But wouldn't it be nice if once - just once - the Bucs could take one to the house, especially in a game such as Sunday when the offense couldn't even see a first down let alone get one?

Most reliable Bucs player

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Josh Bidwell is the best punter in football. Sunday's numbers: seven punts for a 50.4 average and three dropped inside the 20. That's as good as it gets. Give kicker Matt Bryant a pat on the back, too.

Worst use of hands

Tight end Anthony Becht on the first drive in the second half comes to mind, but here's the deal: Anytime you have a backup quarterback in the game - a backup who has little confidence, a quarterback people have little confidence in - you cannot afford even one dropped pass. It's like a struggling pitcher in baseball. He's going to give up enough hits, so you can't be booting ground balls behind him, too.

Just wondering

Is it me or did it seem like the officials missed about a half-dozen obvious holding penalties?

Worst use of money

Fox should scrap the whole sideline reporter thing. Chris Myers is solid, but Fox didn't give him anything to do. He barely weighed in on what was going on with Jeff Garcia other than what we could have determined on our own: lower back injury, might or might not return. Washington receiver Antwaan Randle El was out for a long stretch and the only way we knew was when announcer Sam Rosen realized (and said out loud) that Randle El hadn't been in for a while.

By the time Myers did say something noteworthy, it was too late - that Garcia was forced to go back in because Gradkowski was ineffective and you know, come to think of it, I already knew that, too.

Dumbest statement

"Give credit," Fox analyst Tim Ryan said, "to the Washington defense."

For what? For being on the field the same time as Bruce Gradkowski?

Best players

Seriously, you could make an argument this was the best defensive game in Bucs history. That's not hyperbole.

Think about it. Your MVP and starting quarterback goes down. The second-year guy who gives everyone the shakes comes in. Oh, no, game over, you think. Panic could've set in. And yet who steps up and saves the day? The defense. Coordinator Monte Kiffin's crew creates four fumbles that lead to 16 points. His players stone the Redskins on fourth and a foot inside the 5. And they preserve the victory with two drive-snuffing interceptions. Great defenses don't just stop teams on third and 10. Anyone can do that. Nope, great defenses go out and make plays, create turnovers, score points. The defense was so good that the Bucs could've used Armwood High's offense in the second half and it still would've won.

[Last modified November 25, 2007, 23:01:53]