Ding Dong the season's dead Here endeth the 2004 season for us, finished before it even started and over before our offensive unit even got into the bloody end zone. Being a Man City fan I’m used to the end of a season before October dawns so I will get over the current shambles the Bucs find themselves in. However what I do find alarming is the way we have descended into such mediocrity considering only a year ago we were being touted as a potential dynasty and were considered a great chance to repeat. Since Gruden began to stamp his own authority on the Bucs and bring in his players as opposed to Tony Dungy’s, we have gone 7-12 and looking at the roster what the hell do we have to be cheerful about? An aging, very expensive collection of offensive crocks either unfit or unable to perform at any kind of a level to win in the NFL. We can hardly be surprised that Garner and Galloway have broken down injured, or that the Offensive Line has played together as well as the Jews and the Arabs would. The team built to win now isn’t winning now, in fact it’s a zillion miles from any kind of a victory and 2 garbage time touchdowns in a game long lost do not represent any kind of progress. Look realistically at our schedule and the first chance of a win comes in our seventh game against the Bears and that’s no gimme either. The Glazers' patience might just be wearing a little thin right now as they have given Gruden carte blanche to rule the roost as he sees fit. Accordingly a precession has gone through the exit door, some more unceremoniously than others, and Grudens hand picked players and execs have arrived. In addition to the teams under performance their also seems to be a prevalence of players and media wanting to throw darts at us and kick us when we are down, with Gobshite Johnson and Keenan Mccardell yapping to anyone who will listen, Simeon Rice now joining in the debate which helps nobody and the local and national media all with their own take on what’s wrong and why. As I’m a list-a-holic I’ll give my own opinion below but I’d be interested to hear everybody else’s views on where we go from here. This season is going to get far worse in front of our eyes and the players might as well go back to the Orange Uni’s and Buccaneer Bruce logos to complete our return to the lower reaches of the NFL ladder. Fact - a team full of aging Veterans with a record of 1-7 or similar will quit on the season and some of our later match-ups could get really ugly. Our salary cap situation and lack of recent draft picks will only make it harder to return back up again and the only thing we all have to look forward too in the next draft when at least we will be picking somewhere on the first day. I’m off now to kick next door's cat. 5 Facts About our Demise 1. Brad Johnson is done at Quarterback and will be wearing a different uniform come next September. An aging QB on a lame duck team, playing out the string team serves no purpose and it is literally days, not weeks before Chris Simms is thrown to the Lions and pitched in. We may be killing the kid but the best experience he will get is by playing and as we are in contention for the top draft pick only we might as well give him the chance to cut his teeth. 2. The aura of our defense is gone. We used to scare the pants of people but now we are giving up too many big plays to remain as fearsome as we once were. Granted the defense is still playing relatively well but our spell of domination is a thing of the past. 3. We do not have any speed anywhere on offense at the scoring positions of Wideout or Running Back. This is of dire need of address in the draft and free agent period, with YOUNG TALENT not OVER THE HILL VETERANS AFTER ONE LAST PAYDAY required– you got that Mr Gruden and Mr Allen? 4. Don’t slam Bruce Allen too much for this malaise – remember Bill Clinton apparently did a whole lot worse and he made it to the White House! 5. I am already tired of writing negative stuff after every game. However after suffering the Leeman Bennett, Ray Perkins, Richard Williamson and Sam Wyche years, The Bucs UK as a whole are geared up for the long haul. However, I wonder how quickly a lot of the Tampa area public will jump off the bandwagon though. In the mid nineties we got around 40,000 through the gate, now the season ticket waiting list is up to about 100,000 if you believe the Bucs website. Anyone else think these numbers might just dip a little? 5 Reasons to be Positive 1. A very high draft pick is on the way – however Gruden will probably trade down for 10 year veteran running back who once made the Raiders practice squad, and a slow footed possession receiver. 2. At least we turned our seven-year spell in the play-off hunt (1997-2003) and window of opportunity into a Super Bowl title, unlike The Eagles, Vikings, Chiefs and so many others before us. 3. Most of our Free Agent pick ups will be retiring soon. 4. Some time this year we will win a game………….I think. 5. No stress working out the play-off permutations or worrying about potential opponents this year for us. Whilst the play-offs go on Bruce Allen will be scouring the retirement homes of America looking for offensive talent. If Deion can come out of retirement why can’t John Stallworth or Franco Harris?