Final Knockings on a Season to Forget I don’t know about anybody else but the NFL season just passed will not be one I remember too fondly, and Peyton Manning aside, kind of petered out with the play-offs a bit of a damb squib (unless you’re a Pats fan), and The Bucs bumbling through a second consecutive season of mind blowing stupidity. The Superbowl itself was indicative of my gripe above. The game though on paper a close one, never really had you on the edge of the seat even in the final quarter when The Eagles, down by 10, decided to adopt the strange policy of running out the clock and settling for close defeat. I’ve since heard the explanation that Donovan McNabb was so disorientated out on the filed that they could not go to the no-huddle offense – quick memo to Coach Reid, that’s what you have a back-up QB for. If McNabb couldn’t play effectively, leaving him in there and effectively killing your chances is not the way to go. Six Things I think – (because I write this crap so can change it when I like) 1. I think I’d like to thank those people who were mad enough to vote for me in the Writer of the Year category of the Bucs UK awards. I feel very humbled to receive any votes, especially as I’m actually not fit to refill the pen, of the man who refills the pen of people like Peter King, Martin Fennelly and Tom McEwen. 2. I think if your watching you might see a few items of Bucs gear on view amongst the Manchester fans (ie The City ones) at this weekends Manchester derby – just a hunch! 3. I think if Brian Griese and his agent have any wish to prolong his NFL career, they will swallow some dollars and resign with The Bucs. 4. Not sure if SKY are televising the Pro Bowl this year but I won’t be watching on. My main hope is that any Bucs players appearing do not pick up an injuries of any sort. If your in to pitch and catch football with absolutely no defense involved, a bit like watching the current 49ers team, then tune in for the score-fest that’s sure to follow along with the sound bite interviews during the game with players telling us why their team will be better in 2005. It’s also worth tallying how many players Joe Theismann describes as “great” during the broadcast. By his analysis Mr Theismann thinks approximately 85% of the league are great ones, and the other 15% potentially “great” – I’d put it to him that this is a “great” overuse of the said narrative. Some American commentators go a bit too far, Joe goes way over the mountain top, and back down the other side with it. 5. Looking at the list of player salaries on the Bucs, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some big names cut if they don’t agree to sensible restructuring – namely Booger Mcfarland amongst them. $4.7M for 2005 does not represent value for an underachieving tackle who only suits up for 50% of the games. 6. I think it’s time I shut my big mouth for a while and gave any readers who’ve strayed on to this column a break. If I tried to write a weekly column on the Bucs during the off-season I’d end up analysing the grass growing potential of the turf at RJS, so it’s time for a break and a potential restructure of my current deal with the Editor. I also don’t understand how McNabb and Todd Pinkston became so de-hydrated in the sweltering 60 odd degrees heat – they’ve both played in temperatures well above this so why oh why did they end up in such a bad way? Answers on a postcard to the Eagles medical staff who will probably be looking for new jobs this spring. I managed to somehow sit through the complete game, sticking with the Fox commentary team and venturing to the fridge for drinks every time SKY cut to the Hippodrome for the “celebrity” interviews being conducted by the woman with her knockers hanging out; what the hell was that about? Vernon Kay (who?) telling us about his glittering career with The Manchester All Stars and assorted other no marks desperately trying not to look at her cleavage. Sadly, back in Jacksonville itself the only tit on view this year was Freddie Mitchell, a receiving legend in his own bathroom but sadly not on the field of play. I must at least give some acknowledgement to Terrell Owens; he’s not exactly my favourite player but bearing in mind how hard he worked just to get on the field, he played his guts out and proved he can just concentrate on the football and forget all the other BS he sometimes mixes in with it. The main focus for us Buc backers is to now stand back and see what delights our GM and Coach combo have lined up for us between now and mini-camp. No doubt we will see some contract restructuring, a few surprise exits and entries and hopefully we can limit the over 35’s acquisitions to a lower number this spring. I will of course be watching our allocated players in NFLE this summer to gauge their potential impact on our roster (intense sarcasm). It’s seventy odd days to the draft and all the preparation work starts now. Please, Please Mr Gruden save our offense and inject some speed and common sense throughout the roster. I fear my sanity could not survive another “Hands to the Face, fumble by Pittman, long touchdown pass given up, veteran Lineman, ex-LA Raider signed” year in 2005.