Travis Henry Anyone? The news out of Buffalo this week indicates Travis Henry wants out and the Bills would welcome a trade for the fourth year back, who has topped 1,000 yards three times, and can catch the ball out of the backfield – which NFL team do we know who needs a back, and has plenty of draft picks in 2005? Personally speaking I think Henry fits our needs, especially as he tends not to fumble the ball at key moments as well. Perhaps a 2nd round pick might just tempt the Bills to part with him and give us a big jolt for our (very) offensive unit. Trading a pick for a player still in his mid-twenties who we know can run in the NFL, represents a sound deal in my book and would allow us to solve at least one problem on our spotty roster. Five things I think 1. I think if I were a betting man, I’d bank on Chris Simms as our starting quarterback for the 2005 season opener. 2. If Randy Moss had pulled his mooning and ass-wiping on the goalpost logo against the Panthers, I would have backed him to the hilt. 3. I think Jon Gruden might find it hard to stick around if The Bucs play as consistently stupidly in 2005. Just a hunch but I think he’d fall on his own sword, rather than being pushed. 4. Sorry to toot our own horn, but if you haven’t checked all the player profile screens and all the updated details on bucpower.com you really should give them a look. It really is THE place to find out anything on God’s chosen team – my hat is most certainly doffed in the direction of our President. 5. Play-off winners this weekend, if unlike Paul you are interested(!), Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, St Louis (why not?) and The Iggles. Other press rumblings centre around the issue of retaining Brian Griese. His current contract counts against over $8M against the salary cap, and unless your names Peyton Manning then this clearly has got to change. From Griese’s point of view you can see his argument for decent dollars, but realistically he was drifting nowhere until he joined the Bucs where he has regained an NFL career under The Chuckster’s tutelage. Therefore if he starts to take the pi$$ with any contract demands we will clearly need to move on and look elsewhere. With Brad certain to depart this would also leave us light in the quarterback position and create another void with only young Mr Simms guaranteed to return from 2004. With the multitude of problems we have I do hope the smirking viper that is Bruce Allen, is working his nuts off in seeking ways to improve the roster and lift the gloom over One Buc Place at present. Travis Henry would make a start, and with 6 other picks in the top 140 we are clearly in a position to modify things quickly, especially if we can unearth more gems like Michael Clayton in the upcoming draft. I note he’s already scouting college prospects at the All-Star games, and I’d list our priority needs as follows: - URGENT Running back, offensive line, tight end, linebacker. NEEDS ATTENTION Defensive line, kicker, wide receiver So as you can see, no problems there then…ahem. Barring a miracle “2004 Steelers style” turnaround we seem at least 2 years from contention, but the initial main aim must be to at least become a more balanced and professional outfit, eliminating the bone-headed plays and ridiculous meltdowns of the 2003/2004 seasons. Never handing the ball off to Michael Pittman in the 4th quarter would certainly make a start.