Last Minute Field Goal Provides No Positives Laughably predictable though it was, last Sunday’s ritual capitulation and offensive wet fart in Pittsburgh appeared to take us even lower when that really didn’t seem possible after the Dallas debacle. Let's cut to the chase here, kicking a last second meaningless field goal is not going to give any comfort to Bruce Gradkowski, nor his teammates or Bucs fans everywhere. If the kid’s psyche is much improved by putting up three points in a blow-out game he needs his bloody head examining anyway and he’s a professional so he will need to come to terms with far more BS floating around than the spin Jon Gruden tried to put on it in his latest dissection of a shambles. I remember being sat at the Georgia Dome in 1994 and watching Sam Wyche’s Bucs, down 34-10 – now there’s a shock - line-up for a meaningless field goal in the dying seconds. Naturally losing 34-13 made me feel soooo much better as I rode the Marta back to my hotel with smug Atlanta fans taking the piss on the journey. Basically the field goal, like the team performance, was bollocks and unless Gruden had a major wager on the point spread I cannot understand why we didn’t take a shot at the end zone. A few things I think 1. I think my three-year old daughter has a stronger psyche than Bruce Gradkowski – she didn’t give a toss about Matt Bryant’s field goal last week and yet apparently a grown adult and professional player needed something from the game – hello, pay cheque! 2. I see the Bucs have announced Michael Clayton is out for the season – he’s been out for the past two seasons to my knowledge so I’m not sure we will notice the difference. 3. As an aside I watched the worst game of football (or Soccer if your over the pond) I’ve had the misfortune to witness in the past 10 years last Monday night, as City and Watford kicked the crap out of the ball for 90 of the longest minutes of my life. Premier league bosses are currently concerned at the fall in attendances across the division this season – well sunbeams, watch that game on video, try to justify the charge of £30 a ticket and then you will understand why people are staying away in droves. I’ve had more fun cleaning out my son’s rabbit cage after a major bout of the $hits – that’s the rabbit, not me. 4. Can’t wait to get my hands on Dennis Crawford’s book. From what I’ve seen and heard so far it fills in all the blanks for 1979 team and is essential reading for Bucs fans the world over. 5. Bloody Christmas is now upon us – you can’t turn on the TV venture out anywhere or listen to the radio without it being rammed down your throat and being told to buy this or that item of tat to satisfy the latest fad. Bah humbug from me – I am sick of bloody Noddy Holder, Shaky and Cliff and all the other noise damage that comes from the script of crap records associated with this month of the year. Bah humbug. 6. I think this must be one of the most instantly forgettable seasons in the Bucs history, even when throwing in the Leeman Bennett years. We’ve had Matt Bryant’s field goal, Michael Clayton’s last minute replay enhanced TD and Chris Simms letting it all hang out including his vital organs, otherwise naff all else. I wonder what joy the last four weeks hold for us – and what will the NFL Season’s review for the Bucs be called, “101 Great Punts” perhaps. The plus side of the defeat means that we are rather cleverly manoeuvring up the draft ladder, with only the Raydurs and Lions ahead of us at present. The Cardinals victory and improved play of late indicates the top six pick I indicated a few weeks back has soon become a potential top three affair, and who knows how much further we can go with this offense. I do concur with the general sentiment that it is time to sit Gradkowski down and throw the ball to Rattay – there must be some reason why we traded for the guy in the first place but since his arrival the Bucs have done everything possible to make him all but invisible. However Rattay could be the second coming of Montana and Marino and still likely struggle with an O Line that can’t block, a star running back in a total funk and a set of receivers who couldn’t catch a hooker with a wad of $50 bills stuck to the sides of their helmets. As an aside that does sound like a good theme night for Banana Joe’s sometime this winter. Did anyone else notice Gruden’s demeanour at his press conference on Monday – the phrases “playing out the string” and “mailing it in” come to mind, and if I was a betting man I’d wager some dollars that he’s gone come January. The fire and enthusiasm of last year appears to have long since departed, and when your offense makes the Bears look like a points machine you know the term “offensive genius” is a tad misplaced these days. We await movements with interest this off-season though perhaps in our coaches own mind the dye is already cast and things have run their course. It's back home this week for a tilt at the Falcons and the chance to stick a final nail in any lingering play-off hopes they still cling to. We seem to play Mr Vick tough at Rayjay and historically this has been a decent match-up for us in recent times. That’s not to say I think we will win this Sunday as judging from the Bucs players and coaches current demeanour, morale is lower than alligator pi$$ around the place. Perhaps we can demonstrate some progress and put more than 10 points on the board, maybe even rush the ball effectively. However I’d be lying if I said I thought we’d prevail – Falcons 24-17, as we edge ourselves nearer to being the first team Roger Goodall names at the draft podium in April 2007. Nod of Acknowledgement to -the Chicago Bears Defense Looks a lot like the Bucs in 1999 to me with Urlacher playing Nickerson, Harris playing Sapp and Lovie Smith doing his well-rehearsed version of Monte Kiffin ordering attack on every snap. Sports News Story I No Longer Give a Toss About – David Beckham signing for a US Soccer team Who honestly gives a $hite about this commercial money-making exercise – will “Becks” go to America scream the headlines in both the US and UK. Nobody gives an Eartha Kitt , other than hoping he takes his chemically and comically enhanced missus with him. Get in the Real World Award - myself. Yes I know Dave Moore has got as many Superbowl rings as I have, so thanks for pointing out the error in my column last week. I blame the fact that I’ve had virtually no sleep for the past 5 years thanks to my kids, and the fact that I still try to block out the ugly face of Rickey Dudley in a Buc uniform at every opportunity – I bet Mr Dudley didn’t need a costume on Halloween.