McCardell's Stellar Play Wasted Again The Tampa Tribune, published 10 November 2003 When Keenan McCardell twisted his body between two defenders and used a single hand to pull in a 36-yard touchdown pass late in Sunday's game, even the Carolina Panthers were left searching for words to describe the play. ``That's got to be one of the greatest [catches] of all time,'' Panthers safety Mike Minter said. The catch gave the Bucs the lead, setting the stage for perhaps a season-turning victory. But as has happened way too often this season for McCardell, the Bucs wound up wasting his magnificent play. After Carolina rallied for a 27-24 victory, McCardell's catch became just the latest chapter in an increasingly frustrating season for him and the Bucs. McCardell has six touchdown catches, but none has come in a Bucs' victory. Sunday's game was eerily reminiscent of last week's effort against New Orleans, when his late 30-yard TD catch tied the game, only to see the Bucs lose on John Carney's 47-yard field goal. ``It's just disappointing to lose,'' McCardell said. ``I don't worry about the game-winning catch or anything like that. We're a better team than what our record shows. We've got some football in front of us, and we have our backs against the wall. We have to come right out swinging. I would like to see these guys [Carolina] right back here in the playoffs. That's just me. I think we're a better team. They were the better team today, but a play here, a play there, and we're the better team.'' McCardell certainly did his part to help. He finished with nine catches for 118 yards, and it might have been 10 had the officials not ruled he juggled the ball going out of bounds near midfield with nine seconds to play and the Bucs trying to maneuver for a tying field goal. Replay officials have the power to review any play in the final two minutes, but chose to let the call stand. Since the play came on fourth down, that finished the Bucs. ``I kept asking for a review, but they [officials] waved their arms that it was no catch,'' Jon Gruden said. ``They say if there's a play worth reviewing in the last two minutes, they'll review it. Maybe there was a new TV show on or something that they had to get to. I don't understand it. I thought it was a catch, but then I'm pro-Buccaneer.'' McCardell also believed it was a catch - although replays suggested it was not. ``I thought it should have been reviewed. I had it,'' McCardell said. ``But I'm not going to get into anything with the league. [They said] I dropped the ball. I should have had it. It was the easiest catch of the game.''