End of an Era? Is this the final adios to the Super Bowl team of 2002? Sapp? Retired. Dungy? Probably retiring. Lynch? Not long left at best. Brooks? See Lynch, John. I’ll be the first to admit I would have loved for Warren to retire as a Buccaneer – similarly, I’d like it for his #99 (Along with #’s 47 and 55 when they both retire) to be retired. That said, I also accept the argument that you can’t do it willy-nilly, although when you consider the players in question I’d find it hard to argue! With Tony Dungy looking like he’s on his way to his retirement house in Tampa, I think that if/when the announcement is made official (Apparently Monday), may I suggest that Buccaneers the world over raise a glass, and toast our most successful coach – the coach that was only missing the final piece of the jigsaw in the 5 years between 1997 and 2002; the coach that brought respectability to the Bucs, and ushered in the Glazers. Coach Dungy, here’s to you! NFL Watch So, the final four: San Diego, New England, New York, Green Bay. Do I have any favourites there, aside from whoever plays the Pats? Yes, and they’re called the Green Bay Packers. They’re our old foes from the ol’ Black and Blue division, and there’s something about them that I’ve grown to respect and like. Admittedly, most of this probably comes down to #4, but they’re enjoying themselves and are the youngest team in the NFL. Oh, and it’s nice to see “The Frozen Tundra” back in action! The coaching carousel continues, with not a great deal of big news in place, other than the Phins and Ravens have coaches who I’m not especially familiar with in place. Oh, and Atlanta are still trying to persuade Pete Carroll to leave USC. What’s happening with Eli Manning? Is he actually… good?! Tony Romo – Two high-profile Jessincidents, two high-profile losses. Ken, ditch the bimbo before you go bye-bye. Michael Bennett is a free agent? So in giving up a 5th and 6th round pick (I believe) we still won’t miss out on the opportunity to draft another Kenneth Darby. Fantastic. San Diego? Michael Turner? JUST WIN BABY! Speaking of Coaches, Monte – Please, Please, Please DO NOT leave! That is all. Regarding our Free Agent pool (Thanks to Paul for listing them all), the only ones I have any affinity towards staying are Jovan Haye and Jerramy Stevens. Again, as Paul pointed out the key is modifying/extending contracts that are towards the end of their life, or just need changing in general – in order, Barrett Ruud (Lock the man down now), Carnell Williams, Jeff Garcia and Michael Clayton. I’ve read in a few locations that the Bucs are in dire need of defensive linemen. Er, where exactly? Gaines Adams is constantly and consistently improving, Jovan Haye and Greg White have been the finds of the year, Chris Hovan has maintained his strength at DT and Kevin Carter and Greg Spires have performed more than adequately. Sure, we can improve there, but that’s the same across the board. Similarly, a great number of mock drafts have us selecting a left tackle. After Donald Penn’s play this season, I don’t particularly see this as our most pressing need. Richard Lowe, January 2008