Should the Bucs have rested the starters ?

In the last 2 games the Bucs have rested a number of the starters, and I’m in two minds as to whether this was a good idea. At half time against the 9ers there were wholesale changes as the first teamers were benched and the backups got to play the 2nd half. This week against the Panthers, what effectively was a second team took to the field.

I understand Grudens thinking in that we need to protect the starters like Graham, Garcia and Galloway but part of me thinks that they should have at least played 1 or 2 snaps on Sunday. Timing is key on an offence and when the Bucs suit up to meet the Giants it’ll be 2 weeks since the starters have been on the field. Also what will the Bucs mind set be after two losses (albeit two close ones) ?

I just hope this doesn’t backfire next week as we’ll need to hit the ground running against the Giants. Manning and his offence had one of their best days of the season against the Patriots on Saturday and if the Bucs defence cant stop Burress and Jacobs, it will be up to the offence to try and keep the Bucs in the game.

Will Graham be better for 2 weeks on the sidelines ?

Patriots reach 16-0 – set records on way

The ’07 Patriots have written themselves into history alongside the ’72 Dolphins as the only team to go unbeaten through the regular season. As a Bucs fan I have to doff my hat to the achievement, the Bucs have also set records but ours is for a winless season 🙂

During last nights 38-35 victory over the Giants, Tom Brady and Randy Moss also set NFL records. Brady twice connected with Randy Moss for TD’s. The TD’s allowed Brady to set a single season record of 50 TD’s and Moss broke Jerry Rice’s record of 22 TD receptions ending up with 23 TD receptions on the year.

Some have said that the videotaping scandal earlier in the year has tainted this achievement but, to go 16-0 in this age of free agency won’t be repeated soon. The Patriots have only really been pushed in a few games this season, however there sportsmanship was questioned when they ran up the score against the Redskins.The Patriots will now turn their attention to the post season and a game against the winners of the Jacksonville Pittsburgh game.

2007 Bucs Draft Review

I thought i’d take some time to look back at the draft class of 2007. All the talk pre draft was that the Bucs were nailed on to take Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech with the #4 pick. However come draft day the Lions took Johnson at #2 and the Bucs took Gaines Adams the Defensive End from Clemson. Could Adams replace Simeon Rice at DE on the Bucs line ?

Could Adams live up to the expectations ?

2008 Draft Prospect Watch Part 1

The 2007 regular season is coming to an end and some teams thoughts will be turning to the 2008 Draft. The Miami Dolphins have the #1 pick and the Bucs are in the post season and will be looking at the draft pick somwhere in the 20’s I’ll be keeping an eye on a few of the Draft sites and looking at who the draftniks think will be the Bucs #1 pick in 08.Looking at a few sites it seems that the draftniks see Offensive Line or Linebacker as areas that need to be addressed. Looking at the ’07 Bucs I’d say that’s the most obvious areas of need.

NFLDRAFTCOUNTDOWN:
SAM BAKER O/T USC
FOOTBALLS FUTURE:
GODSER CHERILUS O/T BOSTON COLLEGE
DRAFTTEK:
CHRIS WILLIAMS O/T VANDERBILT
DRAFT KING:
QUINTIN GROVES DE/OLB AUBURN
GBN REPORT:
KEITH RIVERS OLB USC