The Growing Buccaneer Bandwagon Well it only took three weeks but all the doubters, myself included, have had to reassess the Bucs prospects for 2005 and already the glorious “P” word is being mentioned in association with Tampa Bay – who would have thought of that last month? All of a sudden we’ve vaulted back into the nations consciousness on the back of some mean defense, and a rookie running back with a catchy name who is playing lights out football at present, long may that continue. I think what’s also been very noticeable to me has been all the little plays we’ve made, especially on defense, which has had such an impact and indeed represents a marked change to the last two seasons. When a tipped ball has been in the air, or a loose pass thrown, we’ve made the play and the turnover – Brian Kelly has three picks already, whilst Derrick Brooks seems permanently around any loose balls when he’s on the field. Quite a lot of things I think 1) I think I loved seeing Jon Gruden giving it to the officials after the joke pass interference call on Brian Kelly in the 2nd quarter on sunday. His backing of his players may have cost a penalty in the short-term, but won him a hell of a lot more admiration for his passion that can ever be measured on any stat sheet. The coach is most certainly up for the fight. 2) I think the Bears who picked 4th in the draft are cursing their selection and would like to have it back. 3) I think this is a strangely upbeat column this week, from a normally cynical sod. If the Bucs win this week they will match my predicted win total for the whole season. This highlights two things, what little I know about NFL Football, and what an ass they have made me look as a tipster – I for one am overjoyed at being oh so wrong so far. 4) I think if an NFL Regular Season game is played in London, then my arse is a fire engine. 5) I think I’d like to thank all at Sky who have decided to put two of our games on in the next six weeks. Cheers boys you’ve made a lot of UK based Bucs very happy. The game against The Great Unwashed in week nine will be one nervous affair for me. 6) Loving the PTI column Mr Editor, keep the insults and opinions coming. 7) Chim chimenee chim chimenee chim chim cherooo, I hate those b******s in silver and blue – well done to The Dolphins last week, and good luck to The Packers this week. Lets keep the crap at the bottom of our division. 8) FFL note of the week – FAO Mr P Manning, Indianapolis, Peyton you are killing me man, just killing me. Start throwing the damn thing into the end zone, preferably towards Reggie Wayne as well. Thanks, Lee (Manchester, UK) 9) I think once again it’s hotter than Satan’s microwave at RJS this week. A team coming down from the north to a loud stadium, in 90+ degrees, can only be an additional factor in our favour. 10) I think with two Jet quarterbacks going down injured, and us scheduled to play them next week, a lot of weird things are happening that seem to be falling in our favour. It’s time to take advantage of our schedule and make hay while the sun shines. One of the major flaws in our defense the last two years has been our inability to make a play when we’ve needed it, giving up big plays and long drives in the 4th quarter to relinquish precious leads we’d worked hard to gain. Shelton Quarles knock down of Brett Favre’s third down pass inside the Red Zone midway through the 4th quarter on Sunday was such a key moment, lost amidst all the other stats in the game – last season Favre completes that pass for the TD and we lose, but this year someone is there coming up with the goods when it’s needed most. The next Packers' drive also highlighted our current opportunistic nature, Juran Bolden (doing a great job in the nickel by the way) gets the tip in coverage and there’s Will Allen, fresh off the bench, to steal the ball and the game with it. In the last two seasons we failed to make the most of our opportunities but this year we are gobbling them up with abandon, and feeding off the momentum changes they bring. What summed it all up was the last drive. Getting the ball back with five minutes and change on the clock, deep in our own territory, the game was on the line. In past two forgettable years most Buc fans would simply sit back and wait for a quick three and out, or worse still a Pittman or Alstott fumble. Now though we have the stud running back behind centre to lean on, and that final drive featuring sixCadillac runs was thing of beauty. We ran the ball right down Green Bays throats, they knew it was coming but just couldn’t stop it, and that in itself must have pleased the hell out of Coach Gruden and Paul Hackett. The Bucs are doing the basics right, the team spirit is building nicely and Gruden is creating an us against the doubters feel which is clearly paying off. Upcoming this week is the Lions, fresh off a bye and a horrible performance in Chicago. Virtually all the “experts” have this down for a Bucs win and this game is a real banana skin for us. I guarantee Gruden has been preaching the “Don’t believe the hype” message all week, and emploring us to be wide awake and ready for this game, and it’s a message we need to be aware of. If we apply ourselves properly and are up for this from the get go, it’s another game we are capable of winning. The Lions have some weapons we need to take care of, but thankfully we have some ammunition ourselves and if we come properly prepared on Sunday this is another game we can win. However to add a note of caution, if I start tipping the Bucs up and they lose I’ll never forgive myself so in order to not mess with what’s working at present lets say here Lions 17-16, even though I’m actually thinking a little differently if you know what I mean. Go Bucs. Nod of Acknowledgement To….Will Allen. After being called into action from the bench in the 2nd quarter, our back-up safety nets himself two crucial Int’s off a legend and proves that we might actually be handily placed for the next few years in the defensive backfield with him and Jermaine Phillips on duty. Game ball to you Will, you did a heck of a job. Get in the real world award….Travis Henry. With an already full rap sheet you whinge for a trade all summer finally getting a move back to your home state, where you starred in college. How do you react – a) Play like your pants are on fire and with passion OR, b) Average less than 3 yards a carry and then get suspended for a repeat substance abuse violation. Sadly for the Titans and myself, his fantasy owner, Mr Brain of Tennessee chose option b). I bet Jeff Fisher wants his 3rd round pick back.