Bye Weeks? Hate Them Like the Panthers Hmmm, the bye week is upon us and that means a blank Sunday ahead for Bucs fans the world over. I know the coaches love to trot out the old maxim that it’s great for recovery and it’s for the benefit of the team, but from a purely selfish point of view it means a blank week for the supporters and I’m not a fan of it. Five things I think 1 I think Joey Porter’s intention of voiding his contract and applying for free-agency this off-season puts one of his feet in Tampa. 2. I think I didn’t realise how much we all missed JJ and his first down signal after a catch. Check our record out without him this past year and it highlights what a key player he’s been for us whilst he’s on the field. 3. After the effort Mike Alstott made just to get back onto the field following his neck injury, I think he deserves whatever luck there is in the world in his battle to return from a sprained knee. I wouldn’t bet against him being on the field when we play the Falcons on the 14th of November. 4. Wonder how those two muppets on Carolina’s radio network are enjoying this season? Can’t recall their names as they are so insignificant it doesn’t matter, but how come the “best defensive front in football” is 1-5 boys? You’d have thought Jake Delhomme had re-invented the wheel last season but he looks downright ordinary at the moment without Stephen Davis – shame. Bet The Chuckster can’t wait to play you. 5. I think I’m glad the Dolphins won a game at last – our 0 for 14 winless season lives on again! The older I’ve gotten, the more centred on the Bucs I’ve become, and to be honest I’m only really interested at what we are doing as opposed to following other division races – yes, it makes me shallow but that’s who I am. Bonus 5 things to do in your Bye Week 1. Laugh at The Carolina Panthers. 2. Massage the right knee on your A-Train doll. 3. Watch our Super Bowl video again to actually remind yourself it was less than 2 years ago. 4. Picket Old Trafford to protest at their customers bothering our owner. 5. Cheer vociferously for John Lynch and the Broncos against the Falcons. Not matter what spin the NFL puts on it, the bye week was introduced to cram an extra week into the schedule meaning more TV dosh for all concerned, and if the dear old NFL was truly concerned with players welfare they’d ban artifical turf and Rodney Harrison for starters. So whilst our players have a week off and relax, us Bucko fans twiddle our thumbs and wait impatiently for our latest must win game – they are all must win – against The Chiefs. The win against the Bears was slightly reassuring in that we actually established a running game against what is a fair defense. Granted the Bears Offense is a Mickey Mouse unit but to see Michael Pittman go over a hundred was pleasing, along with Michael Clayton’s continued development. Roll on the November 7th when we get back on the field and I can experience that 3 plus hours of anxiety, frustration, elation and all the other roller-coaster emotions of following Florida’s finest. At least we will go undefeated in Week 8 this season.