TIME TO FACE THE TRUTH Sifting through the remains of our 2004 debacle is not a fun activity, in fact it bears remarkable resemblance to 12 months ago when we were bemoaning repeated mistakes, boneheaded plays and desperately gut-wrenching 4th quarter flame-outs. In 2004 we repeated the dose, only with an older team so it’s actually worse than it first appears. Five things I think 1. I think Michael Clayton’s TD was the most spectacular piece of individual work by a Buc receiver that I’ve seen for years, and the get into the end zone from where he received the ball was a feat in itself. Unfortunately the effort was wasted in a toilet bowl game so will not get the plaudits it deserves – except form Bucs fans of course. 2. I think Bruce Allen’s press conferences are notable for the fact that he talks a hell of a lot, but actually says nothing within them. Its time for him and Gruden to deal in more specifics, rather than being vague, evasive and non-committal or most subjects. 3. I think losing last Sunday will be the better result for us in the long run, in meaning we are selecting at least 5 places higher up in April. A top 5 pick equals a stud player, or should do unless Ray Perkins in making the call anyway! 4. I think I may vote for Michael Clayton and Ronde Barber in every category of my Bucs UK Awards ballot this year, until the Dickhead of the year category comes up. 5. Bonus play-off preview – as it’s NFL Football I will naturally be watching on and for anyone who is remotely interested, here’s what I think. Every SuperBowl winner I’ve ever seen must have at least 2 main qualities, a decent defense and the ability to run the ball; that rules out all bar New England, Pittsburgh and San Diego in the AFC, and leaves only Philadelphia and Atlanta in the NFC. The winner will come from these five, with home field advantage playing the usual decisive role. A boring Steelers pick it is then, though the real SuperBowl this year will be the AFC Title game face-off, between those Steelers and the Patriots. I also predict the NFC to referred to as the weaker conference at least 4,326 times on American TV in the next month. “Its now how you start it’s how you finish,” goes the old saying, well we lost the first 4 and the last 4 games on our schedule so what the hell does that tell you? We beat only 1 team with a winning record, and were only able to run the ball against vanilla defensive teams like the Chiefs and 49ers. The press seem to be scanning the Buccaneer roster looking at who may or may not leave but aside from Michael Clayton, Brian Griese, Greg Spires, Simeon Rice and Ronde Barber I make just about anybody expendable based upon team and individual performances these past 2 years. I note flavour idea of the month appears to be retaining Joey Galloway for the speed he gives us. However he’s 33 years old, often injured and is going to start slowing up in the near future so for me he is no value at all. Dwight Smith will likely get a silly offer from a desperate team, which will represent far more than his true market value so I think he is also certain to depart, whilst many others need to restructure both their contracts and their attitudes if they wish to remain as Bucs – I seriously doubt some are willing to commit to such a sacrifice. A major plus is the fact we have the fifth pick in the upcoming draft, and 7 of the first 140 picks which will be of great help. Out of those 7 if we can acquire at least 3-4 players of immediate help, and preferably on the offensive line and running back positions, this will gives us a much needed shot of youth, enthusiasm and speed which the whole team needs. The Bucs have forgotten how to win, and Gruden appears to devoid of answers himself at the moment which is a little disconcerting, as it is he and his hand-picked GM who have created the hotchpotch that is our roster over the last 12 months. At least the suffering is now over for 9 months, as we can hopefully regroup, and come back as a genuine NFL team again rather than descending further into the cellar. One poor season is a blip but 2 represents a pattern, and the sequence needs breaking now. The roster needs to get younger, quicker and hungry again and the time to start is the 2005 draft. At least 7 new quality players are coming in, lets hope they help begin a new era the like of which Tony Dungy began nearly a decade ago. Keep the Buccaneer faith.