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Apologists will be quick to point out that the Bucs were finishing a three-game road trip Saturday, that finishing such a task undefeated is simply not realistic in the NFL.
There is truth to that, just as there is to the thoroughness of the whipping New England applied to them. Both teams left the field at 9-5, but there would be NO truth in saying that they’re comparable in any other sense at this point.
A shockingly decisive win in Carolina left no doubt in the minds of most that the Bucs were destined for the playoffs. That should still hold true, even after Saturday’s debacle. When the hottest team in their conference is the notoriously-fickle Vikings, the rear-view should hardly be the first thing on their minds.
Just as importantly, the remaining schedule (home games against Atlanta and New Orleans) is more than conducive to reaching the “tournament” Jon Gruden so often refers to.
The question is: What then?
Will they fold as horrendously as they did against the Patriots? Will they be as thoroughly inept in some NFC venue as they were in the den of the defending champions?
Clearly, New England senses that the time to push ahead is now; that’s how championship teams operate. Maybe they would have applied the same pasting to anyone, and the Bucs were simply in the wrong place at the right time.
But if they don’t treat this game as a blueprint for how to operate from this point forward, the postseason will prove to be anything BUT their place.
Posted by ken davis, lecanto on 12/21 at 08:35 PM
Dear Santa, here is my Christmas wish list. Please send me a bunch of real true Buc fans who at least have a small amount of football wisdom and will support their team in bad times as well as good times. The world is full of these fair weather “I love you when you win but hate you when you loose” fans. We don’t need them here. Cookies and milk on the table santa.
Posted by Dale Vaughn, ST. Augustine, Fl on 12/21 at 06:36 PM
Merry X-Mas,
What really bothers me the most is the morons on Coach Grudens back. He did NOT win a superbowl with Dungys team. He’s done something that Dungy COULDN’T do with that team. He is a great coach who can build something great here for all of us to cheer for. If you don’t like Coach Gruden then find another team. Otherwise keep your mouth shut and watch what kind of product this man put’s on the field for the next few years.
Posted by Dan Drew, Dover, NH on 12/20 at 08:54 PM
As a pats fan what happened in New England this Saturday was freaking awsome.You guys are being way to hard on your team.When Dungy was there but you had no offense and your sallary cap was a mess.Gruden had to start the offense over from.You just can’t throw a young QB in a have him run the west coast offense.The system is based on timing and rythem and connecting on short passes.This doesn’t happen overnight.An example would be the Patriots defense in the first half of this year.Many of the Vets that new the very complex system were out and thus the Pats had to play a vanilla defense, and got destroyed.Bellichick was suddenly a moron, you just can’t use the complex stuff with people who aren’t very adapt in the system.So just you wait, The players will learn the system, and that offensive guru you used to know and love will be back. Don’t be so impatientAnd you are a year away from being real contenders.
Posted by Dennis Sheehan, Boston, MA on 12/20 at 12:25 PM
Props to your coach and team! Jon is probably the most honest and objective coach I’ve seen in a long time. Your team is young with tons of enthusiasm and grit. Your O-Line wasn’t the problem, nor the play calling. The PATRIOTS were doing what they do to every good team they’re on top of their game. After witnessing what they have done in the past and the confidence that has re-emerged, it would had been the same result for ANY team that happened to play them Saturday. When this team is rolling, no team can stop them. They physically dominate other teams when they are healthy. Your coach was right when he said that it was a “buttkicking.” Your team will rebound and perform well again...it’s just what we PATS fans have seen over and over when a good team plays us when we’re on our game.
Posted by CT, on 12/19 at 09:56 PM
This Saturday’s game against the Falcons MUST be taken seriously by the Bucs. Atlanta is bleeding and they know that another loss would eliminate them from the playoffs. Of course, the Cowboys are also in the same predicament after their major loss to the Skins yesterday. I’m sure Parcells will have his team over-achieving against the Panthers this weekend. Can Gruden move the Bucs to win their last 2 games?
It all boils down to which team has the guts & heart to win its last 2 games. Let’s stop Mike Vick & the Falcons, Bouman/Brooks & the Saints!
Go Bucs!
Posted by ken davis, lecanto on 12/19 at 09:49 PM
Don’t these arm chair, monday morning experts who are all over Gruden for not throwing down field understand that Simms didn’t even have time to throw short passes let alone throw downfield. maybe you were at the frig getting another beer and missed the part where Simms got sacked seven times and knocked down eleven times.It’s kinda hard to throw a pass downfield while laying on your back.Either learn something about the game or just sit there and look stupid instead of opening you mouth and removing all doubt.
Posted by Dexter(ricky)Fields, Neptune,n.j on 12/19 at 07:57 PM
Gruden was out slicked and out coached! For some strange reason chucky thougth he’ll run the ball down the patriots throat with cadillac.That game was made for Alstott and Pittman-cadillac is not ready for games like that(north-south running).With all that blizting why wouldn’t you swing out pittman or alstott, two big guys with good hands or even run slant routes with the reciever’s.Sooner or later you have to make a team pay for blizting so much-the reason I said that is because teams make us pay when we blizt.We should have came out passing especially with the patriots secondary all banged up-the scouting report had to show that.And speaking of secondary’s,do we have any safety’s or we’re just playing with 9 player’s.Cover 2 defense do require you to have good safety’s.This year for christmas santa please give us 1 offensive tackle that can block.
Posted by Erik, Sanford, Fl on 12/19 at 07:26 PM
Hey All,
Yes we were beaten soundly Saturday. I guess you could call it a “whoopin”. But lets take a look at some things here. We are STILL in a divisional race with the Panthers. They are not supermen, and remember, Atlanta (last meeting not withstanding) seems to be their Kryptonite. Yes, Carolina probably will beat the downtrodden Saints, but we have proven to be Vicks Kryptonite. So, We still have a VERY good chance to win the division. So, Root on the Saints and Root on the Falcons (just not when they’re playing the Bucs!)
Posted by kenneth e chance, inverness fl 34452 on 12/19 at 04:51 PM
two things hurt us the most, any time they wanted yardage they went into juran boldens area. he is the weak link in this defense. second, the offensive line needs more experience with the three man fronts and the options that go with it.
Posted by Bruce Miller, St. Louis, Missouri on 12/19 at 04:28 PM
I stated 2 scenarios on how the Bucs can make the playoffs in my earlier article. There’s a third, but it’s a reach. If Tampa wins their last 2 games and Carolina loses at Atlanta, the Bucs are NFC South Champs. Tampa could actually get the 2nd seed and a first round bye if: Chicago loses its final 2 games @ Green Bay and Minnesota and the Giants lose their game at Washington this Saturday. It’s pretty far fetched I know, but anything can happen on a given Sunday. I would also like to wish all the Buc fans that post their comments and thoughts on a weekly basis after the games a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe Happy New Year!! An NFC SOUTH Championship and a home playoff game would sure look nice under the tree!!
Posted by Hawkmauk, Dallas on 12/19 at 12:06 PM
I agree with a posting from Ken Davis on 12/18. This soundoff board is great when the Bucs win,but when they loose you so called Buc fans turn on them. It’s just funny to me how you all believe that Dungy was so great,and it was his team that won the Superbowl.
There is a reason he is gone,no offense.
Sure he’s doing good in Indy....anybody would when you walk in with their offensive fire power. He’s a defensive guy.......he built a defense and he’s got a great team.
Barry Switzer won a Super Bowl here in Dallas with the offensive fire power he walked into. Aikman, Smith, Irvin
Tampa is very young and are moving forward again.....true Gruden walked into a great defense,but it took is offensive knowledge to get the rings and he’ll get more,just give the man a chance. Tampa was not supposed to be where they are now,and that’s coaching.
One more thing.......if Dungy doesn’t win it all this year......what will all you nay sayers excuses be then....because he will not win it all!
Posted by Ari, Tampa on 12/19 at 10:57 AM
FORGET THIS GAME!! PREPARE FOR MICHAEL VICK, I JUST HOPE THAT SIMMS WILL BE PREPARE AND HEALTHY. GO BUCS!!
Posted by Terry Hulburt, St. Petersburg, Fl. on 12/19 at 10:41 AM
As good a quarterback as Tom Brady is, he wasn’t the reason the Buc’s lost this game. The blame falls, as it has for the past couple of years, to the Offensive Line. I don’t care if we have five Cadillac Williams’ in the backfield, unless the Offensive Line opens holes for the premier runner, he will go nowhere, as evidenced this past Saturday. Chris Simms, who I believe will be a great quarterback, didn’t have the time to throw the ball, nor was he given protection by his Offensive Line. Forget looking to the next game, Gruden needs to be looking to the College Draft and/or free agency. The Bucs need a couple of big/mean Offensive Lineman to open the holes and protect their passer. It’s also time for a new Offensive Line coach. The way it’s going, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chris Simms go down with some type of injury. We need to get rid of some of these underachievers.
Posted by Ed, west Springfield Mass, on 12/19 at 10:31 AM
I was one of a handful of Bucs fans at the game on Saturday, foxboro is an extremely tuff place to play, the atmosphere was play like, the crowd was extremely loud on every play, which made it tough for the bucs offense. After the game as i watched the remaing bucs walk off the field i watched Chris Simms slowly walk off the field and he took the time to give the fans several items off his uniform even as the older fans were heckling him, it was a great gesture by a great young man. he played extremely tough in that game and my hat goes off to all the players for sticking in there the entire game and fighting till the end. So to all you Buc fans who will be at the next to games at home,
MAKE SURE THE OTHER TEAMS HEAR THE 12TH PLAYER ON THE FIELD AND SUPPORT THE BUCS AS YOU ALWAYS DO!!!
BUS FANS ARE THE BEST FANS IN THE NFL!!
Posted by John Gonzales, Childress Texas on 12/19 at 10:23 AM
Tampa Bay buccaneers,Great job this season and it’s not over yet.we lost in New England lets put it behind us and go
on to the next opponent So that we can get in the playoffs.Come on Tampa Bay
get focus and play with heart.
Posted by Bob A Reiss, New Tampa on 12/19 at 08:55 AM
I have been on the Bucs Booster team since 1976. The ups and downs happen as a team. Diamonds are only lumps of coal that stuck to their jobs. When all the Bucs stick to their jobs we are all diamonds, on the field and in the stands. One man can’t make the team win but one man can make the team lose.
Figure out whom that person is and you have a winner.
All the best Bucs. Lets win out and move on to better days.
Posted by Bruce Miller, St. Louis, Missouri on 12/19 at 08:43 AM
To all the New England fans that sent in comments about this game...congrats on your team, that was a pretty good butt kicking, the Pats are not dead yet and they are really getting geared up and fine tuned for the playoff run this year, good luck. On our Bucs, perhaps I was asking too much to win this 3rd game on the road, but if I picked a game to lose on this trip, it would be this one due to no NFC opponent. Obviously the turning point was the roughing the punter penalty that really changed the game around and before you know it, it’s 14-0. With the Bears beating Atlanta last night, that pretty much puts the 2nd seed out of reach. If we can win out, these are the 2 scenario’s that could happen: 1. A Carolina loss and the Bucs are NFC South Champions and host a home playoff game on Jan 7th or 8th. 2. Carolina also wins out and the Bucs will claim a wildcard spot and play on the road Jan 7th or 8th. Bring on Atlanta!!
Posted by Connor, Massachusetts on 12/18 at 11:19 PM
We’re Baaaaccccccccck!
Posted by Bucs Fan for Life, Tampa, Florida on 12/18 at 09:23 PM
I have to admit- as a diehard Bucs fan for most of my life, I feel that they’ve done a fabulous job this past year and totally exceeded expectations. The only thing now is that they need to bite the bullet and get ready for the Falcons next weekend and then the Saints. They will be fine and best of luck. We’re all proud of you!
Posted by Jon, Sarasota on 12/18 at 09:17 PM
FLUSH THIS ONE - - - ALL THE WAY DOWN BABY, its where it belongs! Getting back home should be the tonic!!!
Gruden once again proved he’s no Vince Lombardi or Bill Belicheck for that matter. Either Gruden’s game plan works and he wins or it doesn’t and to hell with 2nd half adjustments.
Oh Jonny Boy - you have to throw DOWNFIELD to beat all out blitzes when you’re down 3 scores. 5 yard passes to the sideline isn’t going to get you back into the game when you’re that far down. GO DOWNFIELD! What do you have to lose?
Posted by ken davis, lecanto on 12/18 at 07:05 PM
Why don’t all you fair weather doom and gloom people move back north and leave all us real BUC suporters alone. This is the same team and coach that beat the snot out of a very good Panther team last week, so back off and clam up if you can’t support our team.
Posted by greg wendel, naples on 12/18 at 04:12 PM
This game reminded me of the time when Tony Dungy took us into Oakland and the Raiders hammered us 45-0 or something to that effect. Just throw away the tapes from the game yesterday and refocus on Michael Vick next week.
Posted by Ron Undieme, St Petersburg on 12/18 at 03:49 PM
Well, I don’t know what team made the trip to New England Saturday, but it sure was not the Bucs that played in Carolina. Poor showing? That’s an understatement. They were not ready to play a good team, and I doubt if they will ever be with Gruden at the helm.
Posted by Valrico Jack, Valrico, FL on 12/18 at 11:39 AM
The Bucs once again break their fans hearts and well as their wallets. Can anyone say “fixed game.” national TV, a chance to silence critics, reining superbowl champs,and the Bucs decide to take a weekend off. Since the game was played on Saturday, rather than Sunday, did the Bucs think it was a practice game?
Michael Vick will have the greatest day of his football career next Saturday, unless the Bucs decide to play football rather than watch football.
Posted by Victor Barney, LeHigh Acres, Florida on 12/22 at 06:29 PM
I read somebody say that Chris didn’t even have time for short passes against New England. I saw no evidence of that! A quick drop back pass and/or a little roll out and short pass would have set up New England’s defense for Williams, who they keyed-on and shut down! I still can’t believe that Jon Gruden of Oakland is calling the plays. Tampa Bay not only faced a better team, they also got out-coached!