We are under way The Bucs finally came out of the dark ages, aka the NFL 0ff-season, and suited up again in a phony war victory of the Pats this past Friday night to signal the start of what will be an interesting month ahead before we trot out at Q-West field in early September. One thing is for certain, whatever the outcome of this season we will be pinning our hopes on many new players, rookies and free agents alike, in the hope that Gruden can come up with a magic formula again as in 2005 in order to preserve his hide – Im not a believer he can based on what I’ve seen so far. So what has happened since my last rant? Well we had a sensible draft and finally put some youth into a defense that was becoming so aged that even Earl Campbell in his wheelchair could turn the corner on it. The selection of Gaines Adams wasn’t the glamour pick, it wasn’t even the dramatic pick but for once it was the sensible and correct pick addressing a dire need; messrs Piscatelli, Black and Jackson that followed also will be warmly welcomed by Monte Kiffin who is probably going tired of coaching a group who were aging faster than Paris Hilton’s legal team. As new faces like these come in, alongside what I consider to be the best free agent pick-up the Bucs have made in years in Cato June, then old ones have to be replaced and I found some of the outcry at Simeon Rice’s release quite stunning. Let's just suspend the BS and look at the logic here, yes Mr Rice has been a stud for us but he’s on the definate downslide, would have been a major burden on the cap, couldn’t even pass a team physical and has and always will be a distraction in the locker room given the history of his antics, lest we forget his suspension from the 49er game a couple of years ago. A few things I think 1) I think we will be looking at a new coach in 2008, as Gruden and Allen have run their course with us. Unless we see a winning season in 2008 that will be the case, and I don’t see a winning season out of our roster, even allowing for the fact we are playing in a 3 team division in 2007 with Atlanta just making up the numbers thanks to a certain native of Virginia. 2) Early kudos to Kenneth Darby for his audition for the Earnest Graham role of “Eric Dickerson” of the pre-season. Problem is once the real football starts said player looks more like Eric Morecambe. 3) RIP Bill Walsh. A true genius. I read his “Building a Champion” book back in the late 80’s and couldn’t have been more bowled over by the depth of this guys knowledge on the game, including a whole chapter on how and why sending a guy in motion can help decipher a defensive coverage and affect how our QB audibles his call – stuff Id never even thought about. He struck me as a real class guy who gave his time wherever he could to pass on his understanding of this great game. He will be missed. 4) Let me join the chorus anointing Barry Bonds as a fake, a phony and his home run total is about as legit as Posh Spice’s pop career. With all the crap Bonds has put in his body he won’t be around too much longer after his retirement to glory in his chemically enhanced achievements, see Alzado, Lyle and Griffith-Joyner, Florence for examples of what happens Mr Bonds. 5) As reigning FFL champion you expect not to have the bounces of the ball go in your favour but to lose your starting QB to a Dog Fighting charge really does defy belief. Mr Vick not only have you bollixed my roster this year, but you have also officially provided me with an I don’t believe that moment, in a sports world where you think you have seen everything. Jail-time rightly awaits you with your career down the toilet bowl – hope your perverted hobby was worth it to you. 6. I see the A-Train has gone on injured reserve, shouldn’t that be the “player ignoring the bloody obvious and refusing to retire” reserve list. 7. BK, I'm glad your still around. We need you buddy. Simeon’s been a great player but that’s all in the rear view mirror, and from what I hear he’s hardly the sort of guy to spend hours on the practice field passing on his moves to Gaines Adams – its sad to see a great servant leave, but he’s hardly in the poor house is he so lets not cry any tears for a guy who will probably end up in politics, or some other pulpit as it strikes me as Simeon constantly needs to be heard. Not such a good thing when you are trying to remodel a defensive unit. Similarly it seems the medical gods my have stepped in to make Mike Alstott’s retirement decision for him, as he seems incapable of saying the words that we’ve all known for the past year. Its done Mike, its been a hoot but it’s done big fella. Thanks for all the big runs, crashed bodies and special memories. I wish Mike and his family well but for his long term health I’m hoping somebody who has his hear has said to him he is done playing, as its something that needs to be made clear before Mike becomes the Bucs own Larry Holmes. The dismay in some quarters at the recent departures of Shelton Quarles, Rice, and the loss of Alstott signalled the predictable appearance of the “break-up of our Super Bowl Team” (tm) mantra, and this is something Bucs fans need to get over and deal with. It was five years ago and we need to collectively understand that life, the Bucs and the NFL in general moves on. The 49ers remain sad that Rodger Craig no longer catches 5 yard dump off passes from a rolling Joe Montana, but it cant last forever no matter how much we would love the preserve the images of Sapp squashing Rich Gannon, or Dwight Smith streaking down the sideline. What we have in front of us is a new era, with an infusion of fresh faces on defense and a retooled (again) offense for Gruden to try to mould into something successful. Day by day it becomes apparent that Chris Simms isn’t ready to play yet, and this probably didn’t matter anyway as Chucky has all but admitted he has Jeff Garcia posters on his bedroom wall – if said pics were of Garcia’s other half then this would be more understandable. Gruden loves veteran QB’s, and especially mobile ones who fit his offensive scheme. Garcia fits the bill perfectly for him and now he’s got what he wants, he hasn’t any excuses left. Our recent focus on drafting for the offensive line gives me hope for this groups longer term development, and I’m also confident Cadillac can bounce back from the sophomore jinx. However I’m not sold on Garcia who can be easily nullified by a strong push from a decent front four, cringe at the lack of quality in our receiving corps, still wait and wonder if Alex Smith can take the next step and doubt Michael Clayton can ever return to his 2004 version. When Garcia drops back and Joey G is double covered, where’s the ball going …. Clayton, Stovall, David Boston? Start the car as Jim Bowen aptly put it. The only people our receiving core strikes fear into is ourselves. Granted we have some bodies at Tight End with the talented Jerramy Stevens now on board – problem is this guy seemingly cant turn down a beer and that usually ends up in a DUI, and a spell in the slammer; talented as Jeff Garcia is he cant complete a pass through prison bars. We have much work to do, and the pressure more than ever is on our resident coaching genius to get it right – Jon you have 16 games to save your job as the Glazers patience is officially at the worn out stage, its over to you. Get in the Real World Award - Chris Simms All that sympathy just a few months back, and column inches on what a gamer he is seems a long time away now our Chris is struggling in camp – a clear Janet Jackson situation (“What Have You Done for Me Lately?”) American Sports News Story I No Longer Give a Toss About – MLS soccer How many more reports on a mickey mouse league can we stand on this side of the pond? No matter how the Beckham publicity machine, or the deluded Alexei Lalas spins it, the standard of football is $hite and dear old Becks is there for his future career and to try to establish some work for his cocktail stick of a missus, together with her comedy enhanced cleavage. Nod of Acknowledgement to - Sven