Cheerleading Countdown. Possibly Apologies to my loyal, devout, bored (?) readership for my lack of column this past fortnight – personal circumstances made it hard to commit myself to more than the odd comment on the message board, but I’m back. (I can hear the groans now) So 2006 is in the history books, and we’re now well underway into what is becoming known as 2007’s preseason, as opposed to a period previously known as “the off-season”. Personally? Pre-season starts on the day free agency opens – whilst this is still not far removed from the Pro-Bowl, it at least maintains the 3 week cool down for the organisations and players. What is lined up between the end of the Pro-Bowl and the start of the season in September? Wayne’s pre-draft column (QB article read, and agree in part – Stanton & Edwards I see becoming starters by the time 2008 rolls round, and Troy Smith will become a WR or RB – again), The Combine, Free Agency (who knows where this is going), The Draft, Training Camp, Cuts, Games, Cuts, David Boston being cut the day before the season starts (again), and then the Bucs putting in a 10-6 season. Or 8-8. Or whatever. My point is, that with all this pre-draft/pre-FA discussions going on, people are discussing not only who’ll win the Super Bowl next year, but who’ll make the play-offs, who’ll win at Wembley (touts) and perhaps most disturbingly, who will be the NFL MVP. And the rookie of the year. Whilst predicting the Super Bowl winners now is not out of the norm, no-one can realistically guess (it’s not predicting, as you’ve nothing to base your prediction on) who’ll do what. All we CAN be sure of is that unless the Patriots come alive in the receiving corps, they’ll be the most boring team to watch in the NFL. Again. Saying that, as long as Mr Maroney takes the bulk of the carries, namely TD’s, I won’t be complaining! Similarly, the Raiders will have another losing season, the Texans will still wander around looking lost, the Great Unwashed will continue to stink out America’s capital (even with an Auburn alum at QB), and Terrell Owens will be at a new team (the Arena League counts) by the start of 2008. Oh, and Nick Halling will win dickhead of the year. He was robbed!! In what little there is Buc-wise, I’d like to say a big congratulations to Ryan Nece, one of 10 winners of the James Brown (no, not the Godfather) Award, which are given to a player who “exemplifies leadership, dedication and commitment to team and community” Why can’t soccer players be more like this? You rarely hear about charities set up by players to benefit others, and outside of Christmas when do they do more for the community they live in? Also, how did the Bengals have any player up for the award?! Rather than NFL Watch… bits and bobs! Joint 3rd in the writer awards? After writing for only a few months, I shouldn’t have received any, especially with Mike Carlson, Roy Cummings, Martin Fennelly, Denis Crawford writing, and how could I forget the two greatest contributors to Journalism, Andy Colvin and Nick Halling – guys, this one’s for you! The fact Paul updates the site daily (apart from when he’s sick Bole, this is permitted you know), is a testament to how hard he works for this site and the Bucs UK (That’s not you Geoffrey). Now there’s little to no Bucs news (Cheerleaders on tour? I could do a Cheerleader countdown this off-season…!) I’m inclined to establish a full on break like Lee, but I want to contribute someway, so if my Cheerleading Countdown is forbidden, I’d like to lead with idiot bashing – ideas on the forum! Richard Lowe, 22 February 2007