Searching for the positives OK, so this much we do now know about our beloved Buccaneers. We cannot defend the run for toffee and can’t get a stop when we need one at key points in games, either on D or Special Teams. However out of the abyss comes the uplifting news that we may have unearthed a 6th round gem in Bruce Gradkowski who could turn into a serviceable NFL starter. Certainly it is abundantly clear why Chucky plainly fell in love with this guy in the pre-season having seen his potential a lot sooner than the rest of us. Sunday's defeat in New Orleans was depressing on many levels, as we again chucked away the lead and the W late in the 4th quarter when we have fought so valiantly to claw our way back from the hole we perpetually seem to want to dig for ourselves. Our defense appears to sleepwalk the first half at present – maybe it’s their age? – but in all four match-ups we have stunk up the joint in the quarters one and two and given ourselves double digit defecits to try to retrieve. A few things I think 1. Nice to hear Chris Simms absolve the Bucs medical staff of any blame with regards to his playing on with a ruptured spleen. Classy move – this could have been a story that ran and ran but thankfully Simms put it to bed by making clear he felt well enough to play, and insisted on doing so. It must be driving him nuts inside watching Gradkowski openly auditioning for his job and long term position, whilst he has to let his body heal. Get well soon Chris – something tells me you may get another shot at it this season. 2. I think looking at our schedule its hard to see a win appearing before November at the earliest. That’s a happy thought isn’t it? 3. I think Lovie Smith has cloned our defense of 1997 to 2005 over in Chicago. If you meet any Bucs or NFL fans new to this great game tell them to watch a Bears game and point out that’s how we used to do it. Its great to watch and much as I hate the Bears, they will go far this season with that unit. 4. Typical, bloody typical that Reggie Bush finds the end zone in a game where I can’t start him for my fantasy team. Reggie your timing sucks the sweat from bulls' watsits. 5. I think we have a great young tight end in Alex Smith. I think we should throw the ball to him a lot, and I think Buccaneer Bruce will these coming weeks. That’s three thoughts in one there but the gist of the message is the same – fling it at number 81 seven or eight times a game and I think we will reap the benefits. 6. I just realised I hadn’t reiterated my sincere belief that Carolina are shit. Thought I’d make that clear. 7. Big props to Richard Lowe for getting his finger out and writing something for this website. If a lazy miserable so and so like me can do it, anybody can. I'm sure the Editor appreciates all contributions so if you are thinking of writing something, why not! The club as a whole can only benefit. (Ed - too right!) 8. How good does that new Bucs HQ look? Its clear the Glazers are highly committed to putting a winner on the field and creating an environment which maximises the opportunity to do so. The first benefits will probably be seen when prospective free agents are shown around that space age complex in March 2007. It’s hard enough to win in the NFL but when you continually play “ole” with opposing running backs you are going to give up big plays and huge chunks of yardage. In a rare insight into his frustration Chucky named names this week as well, and the change at Safety was indicative that he will not stand by any more and see a once great unit play its way into the NFL Cellar. To put it bluntly our much vaunted defensive line has played like the shits this season – they haven’t stop the run, they haven’t pressured the passer, they haven’t created turnovers and they haven’t formed the wall up front to allow our linebackers to fend off any would-be blockers and halt the ballcarrier. Indeed on most occasions a clean shot at an offensive player has led to a missed tackle or blown assignment anyway and kept the unit on the field far more times than needs be. It's all well and good to point out what a spectacular 3rd and 4th quarter we played last Sunday. Whoopey do! Unfortunately you don’t get wins for two great quarters of play and two total dross ones. We need our big men to step up – yes you, Simeon, Derrick, Ronde, Shelton and the perpetual underachiever that is Anthony McFarland. If they can’t reverse the trend in the coming homestand then its time to empty the bench and give others the opportunity to do so; we know that Coach Kiffin hasn’t altered his methods so the reasons for the drop-off are abundantly clear. On the offensive side of the ball Buccaneer Bruce’s debut surprised many an observer, me included, principally because of the poise he showed on the road in a hostile environment. He didn’t get rattled or make the boneheaded error and moved the offense to put enough points on the board that should have won the game. Sadly though Michael Clayton is again an absentee from our offense this season and one wonders for his long term future the longer this persists. Joey Galloway’s age and Clayton’s fall from grace means we will desperately need some help at Receiver come free agency and draft time in 2007 – that’s a fact. It was nice to see Cadillac finally get some room, which coincided with the arrival on the scene of the two much vaunted rookies into the offensive line. Davin Joseph’s return brought a welcome boost and with an 0-4 record we have absolutely nothing to lose by playing these guys right now and letting them learn on the spot in what is clearly a season lost as far as any play-off aspirations are concerned. Its back at home this week for a match-up against the offensively talent-laden Bengals. If our Defense plays like dog shit in the first half this week the game will be out of sight very quickly, so lets hope Gruden has switched a few lights on with his pointed remarks. Stopping Rudy Johnson would be a start but the Bengals depth at receiver allied to our shortage and current problems in the secondary does not bode well for me. I think we will hang tough but at the moment we have mastered the art of playing just well enough to lose – Bengals 27-20 as we drop another at home. Nod of Acknowledgement to - Donovan McNabb. Classy guy playing lights out football at present, and especially coming up with the goods against Terrell the Twit this past week. Maybe Owens might just realise he needs McNabb and Eagles a hell of a lot more than they need an asshole like him. Sports News Story I No Longer Give a Toss About – Edgerrin James. I see it has taken the former Colts star a mere five weeks to whinge about his role and the Cardinals running game. Reality bites here Edgerrin, you aren’t in Indy anymore protected by the league’s best offense. You took the fat contract elsewhere but with that comes the knock on effect – get over it. Get in the Real World Award - The Raiders Woes. Amusing as it is to see them flounder I really don’t give a toss about the Silver and Black and their continual rudderless drift into no mans land, with Captain Al Davis steering the vessel and listening to nobody but the little voices in his head. Do us a favour Al and relocate the franchise to Franfurt as even Aaron Brooks could look good in NFL Europe.