Columns

Gimme 5

By JOHN ROMANO, Times Columnist
Published December 24, 2007

Talk of the town

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio.

1. Relax, have an eggnog: Yes, it was a fairly uninspired effort, but do not take it as a sign the wheels are falling off. Just a reminder - Dallas, Seattle and Green Bay have all lost in the past two weeks, too. A letdown is not uncommon after a team clinches a playoff spot and certainly not when it is flying 3,000 miles during the holidays.

2. Two quarters enough for this quarterback: The biggest worry from last week was Jeff Garcia looking so wobbly in his return. Fuhgetaboutit. He had his best game in a month and did it without much help from his teammates.

3. Fitting sendoffs: Kind of cool to see 49ers players carrying Bryant Young off the field. They might try again next week with coach Mike Nolan, but he might want to make sure they're not taking him to the airport.

4. From not-quite-Hades and back: Tsk, tsk. The Bucs had a chance for the biggest turnaround in franchise history (a seven-win swing from 4 to 11) but will have to settle for matching the record if they win next week. By the way, coach Jon Gruden would be in charge of both, which is kind of like saying you're a model citizen once you're on probation.

5. Normally, I would expect this from Delta Air Lines: I'm sure league higher-ups are proud of themselves for having New England's historic season finale on the still largely obscure NFL Network, continuing their strong-arm tactics on local cable providers. Me? I think the NFL is spitting on its most loyal and passionate customers.

A list of five

Five reasons Gruden would make a good mall Santa.

5. The jolly vocabulary.

4. Not afraid to bust some elf butt.

3. Found Donald Penn on the Island of Misfit Toys.

2. Lap-wetters get sent to Uncle Monte.

1. No chance the Glazers catch him moonlighting.

Five reasons to worry (if you must)

1. Running game: Nothing wrong with your running backs going for 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Doesn't have the same ring as 2.8 yards and a cry for help.

2. Running game (no, the other one): This defense has trouble when teams run straight up the gut on it. And, oh yeah, New York has one of the better rushing attacks in the league - and a 264-pound back.

3. You're a Bucs fan: It comes naturally.

4. Efficiency (or see Delta note above): The Bucs have reached midfield on 17 drives the past two weeks and have averaged 2.4 points per foray. That ain't getting it done in the playoffs.

5. Wearing down: Greg White has two tackles and no sacks the past two weeks. Considering he played an entire Arena Football League season before coming to training camp, it's fair to wonder if he is losing steam.

Five super picks

Checking out the best bets for Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz.

1. Patriots: Larry Csonka and Jake Scott have offered to suit up for New York this week.

2. Cowboys: If you want Tony Romo, you have to accept Jessica Simpson. Sort of something for tat.

3. Colts: Most unheralded 13-win season since the 1929 Giants. (And statheads everywhere are running to their record books.)

4. Packers: I choose to believe they got a bad batch of cheese Sunday.

11. Bucs: The 49ers are 9-21 at home since 2004. Except when they play the Bucs, in which case they are 2-0.

Final five words

Four returns without a TD?

[Last modified December 24, 2007, 00:05:42]