The Future Seeing as there has been no game to gloss over since my last column, I felt a sense of loss – what could I use as the foundation of the column to build on? Sure, there’s going to be mention of the Simms contract offer, the Steelers game, the latest goings on around the NFL, and my opinions of the state of the team, but what can I write about? In case you’ve not already realised, the future. What the future holds for the Bucs, the players, the coaching staff, the franchise, the stadium. We won the Super Bowl back in 02, and have never looked like even making the NFC Championship Game since. Why? Initially, the break up that was enforced due to salary cap issues, bad attitudes, bad decisions (See #47), and the lack of early round draft picks sacrificed to obtain Jon Gruden. It’s been Gruden’s team since 2005, where the draft picks started to come back to Tampa, where he had a freer range to do what HE wanted, not what Dungy had done then push them that bit farther. Admittedly this included various Raider Rejects (Hello Mr Garner, what are you up to now?), but the moulding has started to come together in the past two years. Michael Clayton, Cadillac Williams, Alex Smith, and now Barrett Ruud from those drafted since April 2005 have made an impact, with big things expected from Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood (if he stops taking Penalty Advice from Kenyatta). That’s 6 in two years, but 1 defensive player in 6. I know I’ve discussed this before, but bear with me! Gruden was Offensive Coordinator prior to the Raiders Head Coach position he took, as we all now. Similarly, he wants to get the Offense to run his offense – in recent years this has only been possible through the draft, as a result of salary cap restrictions. This year, the shackles are off, we, along with 31 other teams, have more money to play with. To get even more room, we need to look at realistically who the dead wood is. Who’s not going to be a long-term player for the Bucs. We’ve reached a point now where we need to accept that based on the direction we’re going we are not going to win a Super Bowl any time soon. By that, I mean AT LEAST 3 years from being competitive within the NFL as a whole. Realistically 4 to 5 years. This involves the stadium and Gruden. Raymond James’ sponsorship deal expires in 2011 – 5 years from now. If the Bucs are competitive, particularly if RayJay remains a sell-out week-in, week-out, we can expect an increase in funds. Which will appease the Glazers. They may have saved the Bucs, revamped them and given a kick up the rear to achieve goals, including breaking the bank for Gruden, but they are still businessmen. I’m not claiming they’ll abandon Tampa, far from it – but they need the Bucs to be successful for both the team and themselves. To be successful means more sponsorship. I’ve a feeling we’ll be competitive by the turn of the decade, meaning that Gruden will not be given longer than his contract dictates to be a success – something Gruden and his agent will have only been too aware of when touting themselves around the league. I’ve no intention of wondering who could replace him, although if I was a betting man, and I have been known to place a few, I’d load some funds behind Rod Marinelli. As for the Quarterback situation, I’m going to keep the 3 year plan in effect here – Chris Simms should be resigned, although prior to his… problems, I’d have advocated Byron Leftwich, but taking another teams’ backup, unless they’ve merely yet to break through to the first string, is not something we want. Not good enough for the starting job elsewhere? Not good enough for us now. Unless Damon Huard comes calling… Simms is a problem. This year was meant to let him show us what he could do, but that went pear shaped the moment the twits, in their caveman-like nature, felt that they could do with a spleen for dinner. As a result, we have Bruce, who does have a strong arm, he just can’t stand right. What was that about Cavemen? I really want Bruce to be a success, and I think he can be – I just want to discard my rose-tinted glasses fully. I expect Simms, if he signs, which he should, to be our starter next year, with Bruce hopefully fighting him the year after. If not, then after a year or two of improving the Defense via the draft, then I’m going to lead the call for a Quarterback to be drafted in the First Round. Maybe. NFL Watch Michael Vick is an idiot. FUAT bribed his way into Dallas. Or slept with Jerry Jones. Rex Grossman is out of Chicago this year, and if Griese doesn’t get the starting gig this season, expect nothing from them during the post-season. They have one of the weakest divisions in the NFL, and lose to the good teams. And the Dolphins. The Dolphins could actually make the play-offs, having lost one game less than they did last year when they clicked into gear. Right now, the AFC North is the closest in the entire National Football League. Who’d have predicted that? The Steelers are either going to play like Super Bowl champs and hand us our biggest defeat ever, or we’re going to catch them on ANOTHER off day. Toss a coin, but hope we score 17 points, and Miami, New Orleans and the Chargers win so I can wear a Bucs Hawaiian Shirt next week. Frank Gore is Superman. I may become the Bucs’ new Full Back after trying out there for the Chester Romans – like Jerald Sowell, I can’t run either. The Seahawks are back. Great news for us in the final game, guarantees us a higher draft pick. Richard Lowe December 2006