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Gimme five

By JOHN ROMANO
© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 19, 2001

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TALK OF THE TOWN

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio:

A TALE OF TWO COACHES: Dick Jauron was supposed to be on borrowed time in Chicago, yet he's 7-2 and should be heading for the playoffs. Tony Dungy has been hailed as a savior in Tampa Bay, yet he's 4-5 and may be heading for cover.

RUNNING IN PLACE: When you begin the season with two Pro Bowl running backs who are working behind two Pro Bowl offensive linemen, how far can a team reasonably expect to advance? Apparently, no more than 3.3 yards.

SLIPPAGE: Here's the best example of how far the defense has dropped off: The Bucs had not given up an offensive touchdown to the Bears in nearly three years, spanning 60 possessions. On Sunday, they gave up three TDs in Chicago's first nine possessions.

DA BEARS: Are they for real? It's hard to tell without seeing them play a quality NFL team.

SCORING DRIVES: It had a lot to do with the stage of the game and the defensive formations employed by the Bears, but Tampa Bay's two touchdown drives were 98 percent passing. Maybe the way the Bucs can generate a running game is by spreading the field and forcing defenses to focus on the pass.

A LIST OF FIVE

Five reasons Mark Royals failed to get the message on the fake punt:

5: Was using Kenyatta Walker's cell phone.

4: Still listening to Martin Gramatica talk about his pass last week.

3: Distracted by the possibility of Mark Gastineau's sack record falling.

2: Was helping Bucs returners learn how to catch a punt.

1: Was put to sleep by the Bucs running attack.

THE YING AND THE YANG

Five examples of Tampa Bay's wishy-washy season:

1. Keyshawn Johnson makes a career-high 12 catches -- and drops a potential touchdown in the corner of the end zone.

2. Brad Johnson sets a Tampa Bay record with 40 completions -- and throws his first two interceptions since Oct. 21.

3. The defense has an NFL-high streak of 37 consecutive games with a sack -- yet Warren Sapp, Marcus Jones and Simeon Rice have not approached their performance of previous seasons.

4. Martin Gramatica goes 13-for-13 on field goals of less than 50 yards -- then clanks the upright from 48 yards on the final play.

5. Ronde Barber gets his career-high sixth interception -- then loses track of the ball on a 44-yard touchdown pass.

BIG EASY PICKS

Checking out the best bets (and the Bucs) for Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans:

1. RAIDERS: The only weakness they have shown is an inability to quash the Jon Gruden-to-Notre Dame rumors.

2. RAMS: Do not expect a replay of the 2000 thriller when the Rams and Bucs meet on Monday Night Football next week.

3. STEELERS: The 2001 version of the Ravens -- a ferocious defense with a barely breathing offense.

4. PACKERS: As good as anyone when Brett Favre has his head on.

18. BUCS: The last time they were this disappointing, they were wearing orange uniforms and playing at Houlihan's Stadium.

FINAL FIVE WORDS

We haven't seen the worst.

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