Buc 'Em

Gameday thread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Green Bay Packers - Week 9 Throwback Edition

2009-11-08T17:00:28Z

Josh Freeman

#5 / Quarterback / Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Height: 6-5

Weight: 248

Born: Jan 13, 1988

College: Kansas State

Welcome to the big time rookie. As a way to keep you humble and connected to the past, we bring out the throwback jerseys. Please feel free to exorcise the demons. Don't do too much, remember that a punt is better than an interception, and find the guys wearing orange and white (never thought I'd say that again).

Oh, and please play well.

Go Bucs!

Bryant out, Clark to start in his place

2009-11-08T15:33:30Z

Bryant out, Clark to start in his place

The title says it all. This doesn't help out rookie QB Josh Freeman at all. Hopefully we can find a way to attack Green Bay and keep Freeman upright.

GAME DAY PROGRAM- (Orange) Bucs hosting Packers

2009-11-08T13:15:09Z

Its here. Whether you've been waiting for 13 years, or 30 years, The Bucs have something for you. Bucco Bruce will return since he was forced to walk the plank over a decade ago, and he will mirror the 1976 uniforms that the Bucs only wore in preseason that year. The team, doing their best throwback impression all year, is looking for their first win of the season, and first since Monte Kiffin announced he would not return last season prior to the Carolina game on Monday Night Football.

Enjoy the HUGE digital program/Media Guide for todays game! Download it here.. week 9 PDF Program

BUC'em's NFL PICKS

2009-11-07T18:00:35Z

Our Picks are better than yours? Put them down on record. Call your upset.

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NFL Chart will be up by tomorrow...

Later today I will post the mobile me account you can check tonight for live photos from the Bucs reception for the 1979 team, if photos are permitted. This is why the Picks chart is delayed.

But the pics are in, can you do better?

Niko

Washington at Atlanta- Atlanta really did a great job of keeping up with a hot Saints team on Monday night. The kicker here may be the losing record Monday Night teams have that lose, but Washington is the road team here, and that squad is in disarray. Thank goodness we didn't get Albert Haynesworth, that headcase would have been ours!

KC at Jacksonville- Jacksonville is so hard to predict, but one thing Jax seems to do is run the ball. This will probably be lower scoring than people think, but the Jags will come out on top.

UNFNOLE - Huge Failure last week.

SanDiego at NY Giants - I warned you not to read to much into the win or loss last week against Philthy. Both teams were overrated. Apparently the national media hasn't caught on to Buc 'Em yet and doesn't read my articles. Both teams strengths play to the others strengths (SD can Pass, but NYG can stop the pass. Visa Versa) It's going to be close, but NYG are hosting a team traveling across the country and need a win to continue to compete in the NFC East.

Dallas at Philadelphia - Philthy is not the team they were last week. They are closer to the team that has only beaten one team with a winning record (NYG). Dallas on the other hand beat a very palatable Falcons team. Dallas is red hot and while Filthy has the 2nd best Pass Defense, Dallas can beat you in a variety of ways. Matchup of the week will be new star WR Miles Austin vs perenial pro-bowler and former UCF player Asante Samuel.

Craig T

SEA over DET. Game is in the Pacific Northwest and Stafford, Kevin Smith, and Megatron are all gimpy and iffy for this one. Seattle should bounce back in a big way.

SF over TEN. In game of former top-5 draft picks looking for redemption, it'll be other factors that determine the outcome. I'll take Frank Gore to blow up the TEN defense and Mike Singletary to find a way to contain Johnson and the TEN running game.

Paul

GREEN BAY at Tampa Bay

- Coming off a devastating division loss to the Vikings at Lambeau, Ryan Grant and the Packers bounce back against a Buccaneer defense ranked 30th against the rush. Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Josh Freeman gets his first start against a Packer defense ranked 4th in total defense. Prediction: Packers 28, Buccaneers 17.

Miami at PATRIOTS

- Bill Belichick had the bye week to prepare for the Wildcat. Case closed. Prediction: Patriots 27, Dolphins 20.

Houston at COLTS

- The Colts are plagued with injuries in the secondary, but Peyton Manning and the NFL's top passing attack always gets the edge in a shootout. Fantasy owners will be busy keeping up with this one. Prediction: Colts 42, Texans 31.

CARDS at Chicago

The Cardinals are 3-0 on the road and the bears are 3-0 at home, so something's gotta give between these middle-of-the-pack teams. Ken Wisenhunt wants a more vertical passing game, so look for Kurt Warner to take more shots down the field against a Bears defense averaging around two sacks per game. Prediction: Cardinals 25, Bears 20.

NIKO for LeeCaz

RAVENS at Cincinnati - What a year the Bengals are having. Does it continue? Is Baltimore starting to establish themselves as a premier team in the league?

Carolina at SAINTS- This has no contest written all over it. But it's a division game, something Sean Payton is surely hammering home on the heels of a Monday Night Win.

BUCSFANDAVE

Mon- Pittsburgh at Denver-

- The Steelers fly to Denver in the midst of a four game winning streak. As always, they will need to score defensively to win. The Broncos are better than they showed last week, and will enjoy a homefield advantage this week. The Broncos try to eliminate mistakes, play good defense, and let their wide receivers make big plays. Pittsburgh has improved their running game under Rashard Mendenhall and will look for a balanced attack. In the end, the Broncos make a few more plays courtesy of Elvis Dumervil. Broncos 20-17

Buc 'Em readers pick Tampa Bay over Green Bay in an upset

2009-11-07T22:00:39Z

Over the last few weeks, I've been posting polls that essentially ask if you think the Bucs will win or lose on the upcoming Sunday. We have seen most of the votes go against the Bucs, but we still have the few who pick the Bucs to win every week.

In a bit of a surprise, the majority of those who voted have said the Bucs will win this week against the Packers. Here are the numbers.

Featured Poll

Poll

Will the Bucs chalk up a win against Green Bay or put on a "throwback" performance.

50%

Win #1 will come wearing the throwbacks

28 votes

49%

The Bucs will play like the old Bucs teams in the creamsicles, lousy enough to lose.

27 votes

55 votes

As you can see, it was a pretty close vote, but one lucky soul cast the deciding vote to give a Bucs win the majority tally.

Good luck tomorrow both to the Bucs players, and Bucs fans.

FANTASY WEEKEND REPORT by Craig T

2009-11-07T10:00:20Z

Craig T's FFH (we lied about the year established. Stolen via Google search. How's that for honesty.

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Our good buddy Craig T has his internet down, let me guess, Brighthouse? Remember when Brighthouse tried to make everyone think the NFL Network was the bad guy? Now BH is the only one that Doesnt have it. Heck, I get NFL Network on a sprint phone for goodness sake!! " You carry 8 shopping channels, but no NFL Network!!!"

Anyways..This message brought to you by Verizon's Fios. JK, ....

Take it away Craig T...

Welcome, BucEm fans, to what will be our weekly look at some fantasy football help some of you might be musing over. With 8 weeks down and 5 to go, many of you are likely jockeying for playoff berths, so let's get down to it...

QBs TO START (excluding weekly automatic starts P. Manning, Brady, Roethlisberger, Brees, B. Favre, A. Rodgers, and K. Warner)

1. Tony Romo @ PHI. 8 TDs, 0 INTs in last 3 and seeing field as well as anyone.

2. Matt Hasselbeck vs DET. Weak SEA running game + weak DET defense = big bounceback game for Hasselbeck.

3. Donovan McNabb vs. DAL. Like Romo, also seeing field well in what should be a game filled w points.

4. Philip Rivers @ NYG. Clicking V-Jack lately and has passed for not less than 249 yds this season. NYG defense still not right.

5. Matt Schaub @ IND. First time he and Andre Johnson have been on the field together vs IND since 2007.

Sleeper: Jason Campbell @ ATL. Yes, ugh, I know, but WAS is coming off a bye and ATL can't stop anybody through the air. Look for a solid, if not great, game from Campbell Sunday.

QBs TO SIT

1. Eli Manning vs SD. He's just not trustworthy since injuring his heel.

2. Matt Ryan vs WAS. Roddy White is iffy for the game and WAS pass defense has been solid this season. If you have a 2nd option, consider it.

3. Jake Delhomme @ NO. If you were considering Jake as a bye-week replacement, dig deeper for an option, such as Alex Smith or Campbell. Delhomme vs a turnover-minded defense like NO is a nightmare.

4. Jay Cutler vs ARI. Has hit 3 PaTDs only once since week one.

5. Kyle Orton vs PIT. Steeler D boosted by return of Polamalu.

RBs TO START (excluding C. Johnson, Gore, MJ-D, Turner, LT, SJax, AP, Forte, Ronnie Brown, B. Jacobs)

1. Ryan Grant @ TB. Duh.

2. Joseph Addai vs. HOU. Comeback player of year candidate has scored in 4 straight.

3. Ray Rice @ CIN. Now the guy in BAL, should be key piece of offense in a close game.

4. Marion Barber @ PHI. With trio of RBs, no longer an auto start, but still gets majority of carries and goalline touches and should be started when DAL offense is clicking like it is.

5. Pierre Thomas vs. CAR. Still the main guy in the backfield of the most explosive offense in football.

Sleeper: Jamaal Charles @ JAX. Did you see what Johnson and Titans did to this run defense last week? Charles will get majority of carries and should have a good chance to score.

RBs TO SIT

1. LeSean McCoy vs DAL. Westbrook back and Cowboys have been strong against the run.

2. Laurence Maroney vs MIA. Sammy Morris' return clouds backfield picture and MIA also solid vs run.

3. Cadillac Williams vs GB. GB ranks near the top of the NFL in rushing YPGA. Certainly you've got a better option.

4. Rashard Mendenhall @ DEN.

Denver ranks 3rd against run and Willie Parker to get some work as well.

5. Beanie Wells @ CHI. Still splitting 50/50 w/Hightower, and appears not to be getting majority of goalline carries. Maybe a flex play, but not RB2 material.

WRs TO START (excluding R. Wayne, A. Johnson, L. Fitzgerald, M. Colston, R. Moss, W. Welker, Desean Jackson, R. White, Calvin Johnson, H. Ward, Vincent Jackson, D. Bowe, B. Marshall, Ochocinco)

1. Santana Moss @ ATL. Falcons giving up yards in droves to opposing number 1 WRs. Moss on Grimes' backup should be a mismatch.

2. Miles Austin @ PHI. Ride him til he bucks ya.

3. Nate Burleson vs DET. Hasselbeck's main target should cash in Sunday.

4. Donald Driver @ TB. Bucs' secondary will get a stiff test Sunday, and Driver has been Rodgers' go to guy. Jennings also a solid play.

5. Kevin Walter @ IND. Should have more one on one matchups than Johnson and targets should increase with loss of Owen Daniels.

Sleeper: Steve Breaston @ CHI. In line for solid number of targets with Boldin re-aggravating his ankle.

WRs TO SIT

1. Ted Ginn, Jr @ NE. Don't be fooled by his 2 KRTD performance against NYJ... He still hasn't earned his starting WR spot back yet from Hartline/Bess.

2. Roy E. Williams @ PHI. I don't care that he scored last week. He stinks and doesn't have trust of his QB.

3. Eddie Royal vs PIT. Only receiver worth trusting right now is B. Marshall. Gaffney stealing some of Royal's targets.

4. Lance Moore vs CAR. Gimpy, may be a GTD. With Meachem and Henderson likely to get targets, consider better alternatives over Moore if you can.

5. Mario Manningham vs. SD. Manning spreading around the targets and is having a tough time throwing an accurate deep ball, which hurts a big play WR like double M.

TEs TO START (excluding Witten, Gates, Clark, V. Davis, Shockey, T. Gonzalez)

1. Brent Celek vs DAL. Even though DAL has been great at holding down opposing TEs, he's too valuable to this offense lately to sit.

2. Kevin Boss vs SD. Great underneath option for Manning, who's struggling to step up and make deep throws.

3. Fred Davis @ ATL. TE is a big part of WAS passing game, and Davis has the athletic ability of a WR.

4. Donald Lee vs. TB. Rodgers looks at TE in red zone often and matchup problems exist for Buccaneers. Sub in Jermichael Finley here if he's cleared to play.

5. Heath Miller @ DEN. With Denver's defense so tough against the run and in the red zone, Big Ben's go to guy in the red zone should get some scoring looks.

Sleeper: Ben Watson vs MIA. Scored in 2 of last 3 games.

TEs TO SIT

1. Brandon Pettigrew @ SEA. If you're looking for a bye-week filler, look elsewhere. Without Stafford healthy, Pettigrew is a forgotten part of the offense.

2. Kellen Winslow vs TB. Yea yea, Freeman's gotta throw it to somebody, but who can really tell who he'll connect with? If you've got another solid option, consider it until we see how he connects with K2.

3. Bo Scaife @ SF. Niners 3-4 defense matches up their athletic LBs very well with opposing TEs.

4. Todd Heap @ CIN. Good for 3 catches, 40-50 yds, and that is all.

5. Tony Scheffler vs PIT. Except for his big game against SD a few weeks ago, has done nothing this year.

5 KICKERS TO START:

1. Shaun Suisham @ ATL

2. David Akers @ DAL

3. Nate Kaeding @ NYG

4. Kris Brown @ IND

5. Shayne Graham vs BAL

5 KICKERS TO SIT:

1. Dan Carpenter @ NE

2. Jason Elam vs WAS

3. Olindo Mare vs DET

4. Robbie Gould vs ARI

5. John Kasay @ NO

5 DEFENSES WITH GOOD MATCHUPS:

1. PIT @ DEN

2. SEA vs DET

3. NO vs CAR

4. JAX vs KC

5. SF vs TEN

5 DEFENSES WITH TOUGH MATCHUPS:

1. DAL @ PHI

2. NYG vs SD

3. PHI vs DAL

4. MIA @ NE

5. ATL vs WAS

Friday Happy Hour: The Launch of the Good Ship Freeman

2009-11-07T01:27:25Z

More photos » by Steve Nesius - AP

Josh, just let your Soul Glow this Sunday!

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So, a new era begins this weekend for the Buccaneers. When a team ~~reaches~~ drafts a quarterback in the first round, they gamble the next five years on his development. Against the Packers, we’ll see our first Josh Freeman game. Now, everyone will tell you "don’t expect much", "it is not the quarterback’s fault this team is bad", and other nonsense. Let’s be honest, if Peyton Manning was our quarterback and every other player was the same, we’d be a 4-3 team at worst. I firmly believe in the team concept, and how the entire team working together wins games, not one player. But, a great quarterback cures a multitude of sins. Think back to the Gradkowski era, and how his complete inability to pass within ten feet of Buccaneer receivers made the defense look bad. The Buccaneers would hold teams in the first half, but fall apart in the second after 56 consecutive three and outs by the offense and a total time of possession of ten minutes. We all heard how Shaun King was working on his footwork to improve his accuracy. IT NEVER GOT BETTER!! So, while Freeman may not command the offense this Sunday, here are five clues that you have the makings of a great quarterback, and hopefully Raheem won’t need an annulment:

FIVE ATTRIBUTES YOU CAN SEE IN A QB’S FIRST GAME:

1. Theme Song: A good quarterback must have his own theme song. With Josh Freeman making his first start, I respectfully nominate the "Soul Glow" theme song from Coming to America. This Sunday, Josh, just let your Soul Glow!

2. Accuracy: (This one is serious) We know that a rookie quarterback will make some bad reads. He’ll make some bad throws when he should just take the sack. However, if a guy is wide open, a good NFL quarterback should be able to complete the pass. This is a must, and very underrated. Jamarcus Russell simply can not throw the ball accurately. I don’t care about anything else on Sunday, but please let me see Freeman hit open receivers. Gradkowski, King, and JJ were inaccurate from day one. Please be 60% accurate, Josh.

3. Beams the Mascot: I have to rely on the definitive movie for all things football, that’s right "Varsity Blues". In the late nineties classic, who can forget when Mox steps back and beams the opposing team’s mascot in the face. Since, the Packers don’t actually have a mascot, Josh needs to step back and drill Mike McCarthy (somewhere the guy from "Something About Mary" is smiling at that idea).

4. Pocket Presence: Good quarterbacks make those subtle moves to buy some extra time in the pocket, then they deliver a great pass knowing they’ll get drilled. Tom Brady’s best quality is the ability to stay in the pocket and deliver an accurate throw just as a defensive tackle is about to nail him. He does this in huge situations, taking the punishment, but completing the pass. I hope to see Josh Freeman display this toughness, because it is apparent from the start.

5. Take Over the Team at Halftime: Again, I have to go back to "Varsity Blues", and the only way to pull a dramatic upset is to tell Raheem to leave at halftime. JJ, the deposed former starter will become the offensive coordinator, calling the perfect plays on the fly to win. Really, this could happen, so watch for it. It was in a James Vanderbeek movie for crying out loud.

BONUS ITEM: Fawning Announcers: You know you are a great quarterback when announcers ignore all of your faults, attribute everything positive to you, and gush about routine plays that you make. For a point of reference, just watch Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski have a "Favregasm" during any Minnesota game (the Favregasm is a term coined by a reader of Peter King in this week's MMQB Tuesday Edition article). 　

So, let’s hope that Raheem and Dominik picked the right partner, and our honeymoon starts Sunday!

When did the Dungy Turnaround really happen?

2009-11-06T21:47:17Z

You will find different checkmarks on calanders when you ask people to put down a time when the Bucs really changed things around under Tony Dungy. You'll get everything from the date he was hired, to the day we drafted Sapp and Brooks. Most people forget the steps along the way and the terrible start to 1996 that forged the season that started it all. But a little known fact about two starters who really messed up and embarrassed the coach, may have been the catalyst that started it all.

In this week of reflection as we wear the uniform of the 1976 team, celebrate the 1979 team, we also have to think about the last team to wear Orange, the 1996 team, Dungy's first Bucs squad.

There is a fantastic similarity to Dungy's message and Coach Raheem Morris'. Dungy refused to let his team make excuses. In fact, in his book "Quiet Strength", he lists the excuses he felt his team could come up with..

We have a new coaching staff
We have to learn a new offensive and defensive system
We have sub-par facilities
We have a young quarterback
We never get the benefit of the doubt from officials
We have distractions over a stadium, and we may move cities
We never win in the cold

I scratched out the ones that dont apply in 2009, but amazing how many do huh?

Instead, Dungy told his team they had these things expected of them...

Be a pro
Act like a champion
Respond to adversity; dont react
Be ON TIME; Being late means its not important or you cant be relied upon
Execute; Do what your supposed to do when your supposed to do it, all of the time, not almost, ALL THE WAY.
Take ownership
NO EXCUSES, NO EXPLANATIONS.

It is this similarity that will allow the new Bucs to turn into winners like their predecessors did. But this 2009 team is not like the 1996 team, which had drafted talent for three years. The '09 team is more like the 93 team, devoid of talent as rebuilding takes place. Over the next few years, the Warren Sapps, Derrick Brooks, Mike Alstotts will be added, and early indication show the members who assembled the 2009 draft class have improved upon previous models. Over the last few years, many picks were not able to even contribute, where as this years draft class features many on the field, and injury explaining a little bit more too.

An example of not making excuses was done during training camp in 1996, Dungy woke the entire team at 5am and had them get on a BUS to DRIVE to Jacksonville instead of fly, got there, and immediately went to practicing vs the Jags. As expected, the Bucs were a mess. They were beaten physically AND mentally.

They got better by the afternoon.

Dungy told them he liked the improvement, but felt they could do better. The team couldnt believe it..They thought they did well..under the circumstances!

Dungy explained, like Morris is preaching now.. You cant let circumstances matter...

No Excuses, No Explanations.

Over the years, veterans on that team during crunch time would say "Its time for a 5 O'Clock bus ride"!!

The Bucs were not mentally tough in the beginning of 1996. They let mental errors take a 13-3 half time deficit to a 24-3 one in less than a few minutes. Bucs lost the opener big. They went 0-6, and 1-8. Things did not look good. Then an incident happened that, In my opinion, is what turned the whole thing around.

Errict Rhett was late to a personal appearance. He was 30 minutes late for an autograph session at a car dealership. But the kicker, was on the same day Reagan Upshaw completely missed a visit to a 4th grade class. Making matters worse, this was the SECOND time he did a no show! Dungy received a letter that was painful for him to read. The teacher had explained Upshaws absense to the classroom of 4th graders, as a misunderstanding. Now he failed to show up again. Reading about the classes disapointment at the second no show, Tony Dungy in his own words..."was beside myself".

He started the Wednesday morning team meeting by telling his players they were not going to talk about football.

At all.

Instead he told everyone about the incidents, about Rhett and Upshaw.." I dont care about the Raiders, and I'm not going to talk about the Raiders. We need to focus on US, on changing our own attitudes and accountability. Obviously, your word isnt important to you if it doesnt involve the game of football. You don't seem to think being accountable off the field is important. But as far as I'm concerned, we are NEVER going to win consistently until you all get rid of that attitude. The quicker you figure it out, the better"

Dungy told the team that Rhett and Upshaw were not the disease, "but merely the symptoms of a bigger problem. Too many of our guys have the same attitude- they were unwilling to give 100% if they didn't personally think it was important".

Champions he told them, know its ALL important.

The Bucs tied the Raiders on a Dilfer to Alstott TD with 7 minutes left in the game, but the Raiders got down in easy FG range. Thats when Raiders kicker Cole Ford missed a 28 yard FG and gave the Bucs life and took the game into overtime, where the Bucs won it with only 3:04 left in Overtime.

It wasnt a sudden change in play, in fact despite being 1-8, the Bucs had held opponents to 13 points and under for 4 straight games; so the change had already started to take place on the defense. They just needed to get over the hump of learning how to win. The 2009 Bucs havent gotten to either of these steps because the future Bucs team has not been put together yet.

Most people like to put the time of the turn around as the very next game, at San Diego. Why?

Because the Bucs couldnt win on the west coast, and they went down 0-14 to the Chargers in the first quarter, yet never quit. they fought back and won the game, on the west coast. They overcame one of those "Bucs cant win..." glass ceilings the team put over its head over the years.

These are some of the telling signs to look for when were figuring out if the Bucs have turned around yet.

Its way to early for this level of comparison, again, this team is more like the 93 version where the losses were like this...

3-27

7-23

17-47

14-37

0-23

10-13

17-23

17-32

Look familiar? The 1993 team had a little more stability though, as this 2009 team is not really fully comparable to another year's team because we have never fully rebuilt like this before.

The 1993 squad did have one special moment. In game 15, on the road, the 1993 Bucs upset the Denver Broncos IN Mile High Stadium, with John Elway, and the Broncos hadnt clinched anything. It was probably the biggest upset in Bucs history.

When you watch the movie, take a look at Sam Wyche. He did that quick shake and off the field when he lost, but when he won, he couldn't find enough people to shake hands. Just seems wierd to me.

The Touchdown in Denver was Dave Moore's first NFL touchdown, and look at how Craig Erickson got out of a sack to make that play.

The San Diego game, John Lynch was coming home..he lived in San Diego.

Oft overlooked numbers point to optimism for Bucs

2009-11-06T15:03:29Z

More photos » by Tom Hevezi - AP

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We all saw the results of the Buc 'Em poll posted this week. Based on our readership, the glass was most definitely half empty on Morris and his coaching to date. For the sake of full disclosure, I voted as "Undecided" which came with the addition of giving him through (at least 2010) to prove himself. We've all debated and discussed his successes and failures to this point. What I want to focus on is a few points that are often overlooked that actually reflect positively on the Bucs.

Coaching is more than giving the General Manager your opinion on a player. As a head coach who has both an offensive and defensive coordinator, he does not generate the game plan, but oversees it. We've documented a few of the issues on the defensive side of the ball, the "lackluster" personnel for the current scheme being the chief issue. We've talked about the offensive coordinators (yes, plural) and some of the oddities in the play calling, namely not running the ball.

But the discipline, in regards to on the field play, has improved.

When we evaluate the team, and more specifically Coach Morris, I think it's warranted to note that the same missed responsibilities in the secondary, the freelancing have decreased. We've seen a more disciplined secondary, which is helped in part by Tanard Jackson's return. The offensive line has been more disciplined in maintaining their blocks, which Faine has helped with, but the improvements are there.

But with such a young team, there are sure to be growing pains. I've come away impressed with certain parts of our team, due to their age, their unfamiliarity with the new system and an entirely new coaching staff. This is a generalization, but I feel it's appropriate. Most young teams struggle with the new schemes and thus commit stupid plays and penalties. To get a look at how the Bucs were doing, I hopped over to NFL.com to do a quick look at two important stats. Turnovers and penalties.

It's hard to beat a team when you beat yourself, and I wanted to see where the Bucs stood in the grand scheme of things with these two categories. Penalties is split into offensive and defensive penalties and yards, and turnovers is a cumulative total. Plus (+) in the turnover department means your team has taken the ball away more than it has been given away and Minus (-) means it has given the ball away more than it has taken it away.

Penalties first.

	Penalties	Rank	Pen Yards	Rank
Offense	42	14	322	8
Defense	43	15	403	23

Let me first say that this does not include penalties that were declined or offset, so there is a chance we have been penalized more than is currently shown. But of those penalties that have been accepted, we sit right in the middle of the pack. I feel kind of silly celebrating this fact, but let's take it for what it's worth. A lot has been made of the discipline and "buddy" portions of Morris' personality. As far as penalties go, I don't see it reflected here in a negative manner. Can the Bucs improve? Absolutely, but sitting in the middle of the pack (and some teams have not had their bye weeks, thus pushing their totals lower than they should be on a per game basis) it seems that we have a good handle on penalties.

What makes it a bit more remarkable is this is in two new systems. My assumption, having never played professional football, is that the older the system, the more natural you play. You don't have to think about your assignments as much and can play freely. When you are in a new system, you play tighter, you react slower which can lead to flailing about, holding, committing stupid penalties as your reactions have been slowed. Again, these are assumptions, but if we take them as being correct, it makes the transition to the systems a bit more hopeful. As the assignments and play calls become more natural, you'll see less robotic thinking and more read and react. This is what made the old Cover 2 system in our heyday so great. Each player not only knew their assignment, but knew what the player next to him was going to do. They could read and react, not have to think about where they should be on the field.

To hit the turnover category, let me first say, a negative margin is not one I want to see. Obviously that means we either are turning the ball over excessively, not taking the ball away enough, or both. The Bucs 2009 turnover margin through 7 games sits at - 2. We've "erred" more on the side of interceptions, which I believe is expected. We've behind in more games (more throws) and we have had (at least for 4 games, soon to be 5+) a young quarterback making NFL reads. With a new system, playing from behind, throwing it at a higher rate than running the ball, and the experience level of our quarterbacks thus far, I'd day - 2 isn't terrible. Our defense sits tied for 5th in the league in interceptions which has helped offset our own quarterback's propensity for throwing to the wrong team.

I'll admit, penalties and turnovers aren't the most exciting things to look at and evaluate, but I think they are an important part of the overall puzzle. We all know penalties can kill a drive and turnovers against never help your team. To bring it full circle, I've heard the pundits blasting Morris for several things, with discipline being right up there. We haven't played a perfect game yet, we've made some mistakes that are in excusable. The Bucs miss a fair amount of tackles and still can be out of position. That falls on the head coach, as it does the position coaches and coordinators. But the measure that we can point to, turnovers and penalties, reflect an average ball club. When you consider the age, maturity, and experience level of our team and combine that with the new systems, I think you can at least take away some positive thoughts on Morris and team, at least for their on the field discipline.

In terms of the product you see on the field, do you think progress is being made on either side of the ball? Does the amount of penalties or turnovers concern you, or do you feel we're on schedule considering the make up of our team.

Throwback memories; A Video History of Green Bay vs Tampa Bay

2009-11-06T12:26:17Z

The games were many, some decided in overtime, some blowouts like the 55-14 beat down the Packers put on us in 1983. That game was 49-3 at half time. Of course this is all before the days of Warren Sapp and Brett Favre having their play time on the screen. Before the return to Monday Night Football where Dilfer threw two perfect slants to Green and Emanuel, there was the very last Monday Night game for Howard Cosell, who didn't want to take the trek to San Francisco for game 16, thus making the Bucs snoozy 12-9 OT loss to the Packers his last, and our last for 15 seasons on the prime time show.

There were Back to Back last second winning FGs in Tampa Stadium in 88 and 89, the last of which was a result of a super weak penalty after the Bucs stopped the Packers on 4th down. Funny how you never forget bad calls like that one!

There is Ricky Bell, and only a few years later, Ricky Bells tribute game. There is a lot of history to this Green Bay & Tampa Bay Buccaneers series before they stopped playing each other and ended their relationship as division opponents. Who knows, maybe one day when a few more teams are added to the NFL, the league may realign again someday and the Bucs may find themselves back with their NFC buddies. Until then, we will remember the days, the Bay of Pigs, because after all, what other teams could end a game in a 14-14 tie with 3 missed Field Goals??

NOTE: Ive invited a bunch of Packer fans to come check out our video....lets make them feel....um, Welcomed???!!

Detailed list of video clips...

1) 1977 GB at TB- First ever meeting between the teams. Chester Marchol's FG are the first points ever scored in series.

2)1978 TB at GB, Long Doug Williams pass to one yard line, and TD by Ricky Bell

3) 1979 GB at TB, Williams pass to Ricky Bell for TD, announcers were still calling football games as of 2008, Dick Stockton, and John Madden.

4) 1981 GB at TB- Cedrick Browns 81 yard pick 6

5) 1983 GB at TB on Monday Night Football, Jack Thompson to Adger Armstrong, is Howard Cosell's last game in the Booth. This is also the last appearance for the Bucs on Monday Night Football until 1998's Bucs at LIons. Its the last MOnday Night game in Tampa until 1998's Green Bay at Tampa Bay game...what a coincidence huh?

6) 1984 TB at GB- Tribute to Ricky Bell on Bucs helmets

7) 1985- TB at GBThe snow bowl game, 14" of snow fell during the game, you could not even see Bucs QB Steve Young running the ball! Wisconsin Ch. 7 weather report goes across the screen.

8) 1988- GB at TB, Donald Kicker IGGY kicks the game winner

9) 1989 - GB at TB- Chris Jacke repays the favor a year later...however a holding penalty which was BS was called against Tampa Bay on 4th down, thats how the Packers won.

10) 1991- TB at GB- one of the longest TDs in Bucs history, WR Willy Drewery wasnt even the target WR... the ball was overthrown, then through the hands of the DB, into Drewerys on the sideline, then he ran in for a TD. Bucs ended up losing anyways!! We wouldnt win in Green Bay until 2005.

11) 1992 GB at TB- Brett Favre's very first completion. If you dont know this trivia, your new to the site, because I think I bring it up every month. Guess who catches Brett Favre's first pass completion?

12) 1994- GB at TB Bucs won 4 games in a row, but ran into a Green Bay team playing for a playoff birth.

13) 1995 GB at TB- End of the double digit losing seasons. The win put the Bucs at 7-7, unheard of in those days, and still alive for playoff birth! This was a great upset on TNT football.

14) 1996 Week 1- GB at TB, Tony Dungy's first game as a coach. Green Bays superbowl year.

Clip 2, end of game hugs, respect given to Dungy.

New Feature on Bucem: Weekly Caption Contest

2009-11-05T22:21:25Z

Former starting QB Josh Johnson. Have at it Bucs fans. Type a funny caption in the comments section to enter the contest.

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We have decided to implement a new feature here on Bucem that is popular on many other blogs. Every Thursday we will select a photo and let the readers of Bucem try to come up with the funniest caption for the picture. If you would like to enter, simply type a caption for the photo in the comments section.

Please remember that all captions submitted must fall within the community guidelines of Bucem. We want you to be funny, but not offensive.

If you would like to vote for a caption then simply "Rec" it. To Rec a comment, just click "actions" and the "Rec". Whichever caption receives the most Recs will win the weekly contest. All votes will be tallied on Tuesdays.

(NOTE: Niko will be offering up ONE Bucs game of your choice for the winner on DVD. You can pick from a list once you've won.)

Your wit and cleverness will be celebrated amongst Buccaneers fans across the United States. Don't hesitate to wade right in and put something down. It is also perfectly fine to submit more than one entry, and you can "Rec" more than one as well. Good luck!

On This Day- 11/5/1978- Bucs lose Doug Williams with Broken Jaw.

2009-11-05T22:00:34Z

This halfback pass for TD tied the Game in the 4th Qtr.

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The Bucs were fresh off of 0-26, winning the last two games of the 77 season, and going into 1978 had a strong armed QB named Doug Wiliiams who was able to flick his wrist and give the Bucs a scoring chance. That helped Ricky Bell out a little bit and the defense had to watch out for the pass. The Bucs were 4-5 after a two point loss to Green Bay, and were playing at the Los Angeles Rams in the Memorial Coliseum, where John McKay won many games, Rose Bowls, and others, as Coach of the USC Trojans. The Bucs had the #4 defense in 1978, and its very possible the Bucs could have ended up with a winning record or even a playoff spot , basically doing the whole 1979 Worst to First a year earlier...but Doug Williams was hit by Rams Defensive lineman Fred Dryer who broke his jaw, and despite Mike Rae coming in and almost pulling the game out, the Bucs only won one game the rest of the year. And so a 5-11 record made way for the 1979 magical season were about to celebrate on Sunday..

Doug Williams actually played in the last game of the season, a loss to the Saints in which his jaw was wired shut, preventing him from calling audibles. Despite losing, the experience was probably good for Doug going into the offseason.

A Chat with Brandon from Acme Packing Company;

2009-11-05T17:30:32Z

via 2.bp.blogspot.com

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Today we have a nice little talk with Brandon, who is the lead blogger over at SB Nation's Green Bay blog the Acme Packing company, definitly a cool name for a blog. I was pleased to see that Brandon has been a long time Packer follower going back to 1980, so he really has an affinity for all things Green and Gold in the land of Wisconsin. So lets get down to it....

Niko: Ok Brandon..first things first...Brett Favre- "Vini, vidi, vici..." , But what are Packer fans really thinking now? ...And How do they feel about GM Thompson? Coach McCarthy after last weeks game?

Brandon: I'm still stinging from watching Favre look estatic as he stuck it to his old team last week. I get a few "FAVREISTHEGREATEST!!!" comments, but most Packer fans seemed to have moved on or consider him a traitor. There are always some comments for Thompson and McCarthy's heads, but I generally ignore them. Neither man is perfect, but Thompson has built a talented and deep (and youngest team in the NFL for the 3rd year in a row) almost entirely through the draft. The only outside free agent brought in during his 5 years running the team, that's he's paid over $10 million for, has been CB Charles Woodson, and he's the defensive MVP. There haven't been any big contract disputes, and he's kept the young free agents (like QB Aaron Rodgers) that he should resign. McCarthy isn't the next Bill Walsh, but he knows how to run an effective offense and manage the team. They both mishandled the Favre retirement flip-flop of 2008 (not to be confused with other years), but that was certainly a unique situation so I don't dwell on it.

Niko: The Bucs are 0-7. Is this an easy win for the Packers?

Brandon: I'd like to think so, but I haven't watched a Bucs game all season, so I don't know much about your guys. You looked great when the two teams played in week 4 of 2008, but nearly everything has changed for you since then. Since then the Packers have made some changes on defense, mostly for the better, and the offense will look almost identical.

Niko: In the old ‘sombrero' days, 30,000 Packer fans would fill up stands. Were having ticket problems in 2009 too, will we see a sea of green at the game?

Brandon: Packer fans still seem to travel well, and are everywhere. Back in the 80s and 90s, we could count on tickets being available in Tampa, but the Dungy-Gruden era made them harder to come by. I think you'll see pockets of proud Packer fans, but nothing overwhelming.

Niko: The Bucs are going to be wearing Bucco Bruce orange for first time in over a decade. What if any memories are recalled from our team's old rivalry?

Brandon: I became a Packer fan in 1980, right as the McKay era started it's decline into disaster. And as bad as the Bucs got in the late 80s, the Packers were a dismal franchise back then too, until GM Ron Wolf was hired in 1991. (Is this a bad time to mention that the Bucs fired Ron Wolf as their GM in the late 70s and replaced him with McKay's chauffeur?) Seeing those uniforms just remind me of those old Bay of Pigs (thanks Chris Berman) times.

Niko: Brandon, If you had to take a Buccaneer player, who would it be and why? Who would you trade for him?

Brandon: Barrett Rudd is always a good choice, but he really doesn't fill a need. I should mention that I really like the Packers team, they've got a lot of good players up and down the roster, so there aren't a lot of gaping holes. The two problem areas are pass protection, which should be getting better as their veteran offensive tackles, Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, should be returning next week, otherwise I'd mention Davin Joseph (could he play tackle?). The other big problem area is the pass rush, but you're probably in search of an elite pass rusher (either OLB or DE) too.

A Throwback look at technology; how we watch the game.

2009-11-05T11:10:55Z

As we get ready for throwback weekend, I've been making some videos of past Bucs/Packers games. Sometimes I look at these games so much that I lose sight of how much has changed in the world of football from when I first started watching. In this side by side comparison, lets look at some of the differences, big or small. The image on the left is 1981 Green Bay at Tampa Bay. The one on the right is from the last time we played the packers, 2008.

16x9 vs 4x3- The first difference hits you right in the face, todays game is filmed in high definition which mostly comes in a 16x9 format. This is only if your watching the HD version though, otherwise your still looking at a standard definition picture, your still getting the 4x3 version. With the switch to digital signals this year, more and more people will get to check out an HD football game, which is what the digital signal will give you. If you havn't seen a football game or any sporting even in HD yet, it is amazing and will change your whole world, its that different of an experience....as you can see from the photo above.
First down markers- The yellow line that is computer generated on the field was created by a company called Sportvision. The New York City based company revolutionized the way we watch the game first in an ESPN game between the Bengals and Ravens on 9/27/1998; hard to believe this has been around for its 12th season huh? Of course its only been universal in half that time, and we are told all the time that the yellow line is not 100% accurate, but boy when someone crosses it it sure seems like they got a first down huh?
Text and Graphics- The "3rd down and 6" looks so primitive doesnt it? Yet at the time that was state of the art, along with John Madden being able to draw on the game! Today, the down and distance are as part of the field as the yellow first down line, if not more so, which really leads to a non-intrusive image that we watch.
Score Ticker- This basic part of the football telecast does not even owe its origin to football, or at least our football! It does to futball..as the ticker began as part of the World Cup coverage, or at least that is the popular origin. Truth is, ABC used a score bug in its 1994 Purolator 500 NASCAR event, and again during the 1994 Indianapolis and Brickyard races. But it was the use in the 1994 World Cup that really sprung it..because up until then, US coverage for soccer games was not exactly highly regarded due to our constant commercial breaks that miss action in a game that really doesn't stop for TV timeouts like football does. Well problem solved, as ABC ran commercial banners from the score bug, and the rest is history. Fox called theirs the FoxBox, and now that is a long banner that goes at the top of the screen, or sometimes at the bottom. Its now hard to believe there was a time when all that info wasn't shown all the time!
Audio- And finally, what good is a great picture when it sounds like its coming from a little tiny transistor radio! Since the first televised football games, the audio has now come with secondary channels that provide different language (SAP), and full surround sound that when listened to with a good audio system, has you swearing your at the game listening to every little sound from the field, stands, and more!

One can only imagine what engineers will come up with for the future; I'm waiting for the day the ball has something in it that is picked up by lasers that mark the endzone. Any part of the ball crosses the goalline, and its confirmed; TD. Of course unless knee pads have sensors too, someone will always say " He was down"!!!

The more things change...

Active Bucs front office signs rookie cornerback Mike Mickens

2009-11-04T20:57:12Z

More photos » by Eric Gay - AP

Former Cowboy and new Buccaneer Mike Mickens intercepts a pass during training camp.

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Ah, the bye week. A brief reprieve from the punishment of an arduous NFL season. A time to rest, nurse injuries and do a little extra game-planning for the next opponent.

Unless you’re in the Buccaneer front office.

Since losing to New England in London, the Bucs have made 11 roster moves. Only the Seahawks have made more in that span. Other than the kicking carousel continuing to spin with the signing of Connor Barth to replace Shane Andrus, another move merits special attention: The signing of rookie cornerback Mike Mickens form the Cowboys practice squad.

The secondary has been an area of particular disgust through seven games, susceptible to giving up big plays in coordinator Jim Bates’s new scheme. While the return of Tanard Jackson and the improved play of Aqib Talib have brought some stability, questions still surround the future of the aging Ronde Barber.

The 6-foot, 189-pound Mickens was drafted in the seventh round the the 2009 draft out of the University of Cincinnati by the Cowboys. A school-record 14 interceptions earned him first-round consideration before a knee injury cut his senior season short. He was cut by the Cowboys and signed to the practice squad on a 4-year, $1.805 million contract with a $55,000 signing bonus.

Early Tuesday morning, he signed an undisclosed contract with the Bucs.

Mickens was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back in college football) last year with four interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. The previous year he was voted first-team All-American, returning two of his six picks for scores.

For the Bucs, Mickens is low risk, high reward. If Mickens shows flashes of his Cincinnati days in Tampa Bay, it could allow the front office to direct more attention to other draft and free agent needs, such as defensive line and wide receiver.

Bates’s defense is wildly different from Monte Kiffin’s famed Tampa Two. It’s based on man coverage rather than zone and requires speed and athleticism from its secondary to make plays rather than the system to put them in good position.

Bates has been under fire recently for implementing a defense which he does not have the personnel to execute. Barber is not a shut-down corner, which is why he thrived in the Tampa Two. With just four pass defenses and 23 tackles, he is far behind his usual pace through seven games. The 6’1, 205-pound Talib is a big, physical defender with the speed to keep up with most top receivers. Through seven games, he is just two tackles and two pass defenses away from equaling his 15-game output a year ago. Only three players have more interceptions than Talib’s four, which matches his 2008 total.

Mickens has the size, speed and talent to thrive in Bates’s system as Talib has. The question remains whether or not his speed and athleticism will translate from his college days to the NFL, where great cornerbacks are hard to come by.

Throwback weekend is here! Know your 1979 Bucs- Final Chapter w/ 3 Videos!

2009-11-04T19:00:35Z

This is it folks. IN a few days, you will hear the names called out. You will see Lee Roy Selmon get put in the Ring of Honor. You will hear about the excitement over the 1979 Buccaneers. Well in this series (which you can go back and find each past installment) I have gone over week by week on how the Buccaneers exploded onto the scene, dealt with a few losses, got back on track, and are now dealing with a catastrophic 3 game losing streak that now has them on the brink of either elimination or championship! Slip up and make a mistake, and the Bears will win the crown, and you will get booed out of the playoffs after a 9-3 start (sound familiar 2009 fans???)

Jon Gruden was just a baby, and his dad was still years away from becoming running backs coach. Instead, it would be up to John McKay to get his troups to wake up...and wake up they did...to the sound of thunderstorms! A torential rainfall fell upon Tampa Stadium like never seen before! This video clip is from NFL films top ten 'worst weather games'...

More Videos and Story continues after the Jump....

The Bucs won on a FG, and won the NFC Central Division Championship- only two years after going 0-26! Only in their 4th year of exisitance, with NO free agency, NO extra draft picks..just building from the draft. The Bucs wound up with a first round bye, and would play the winner of the Chicago @ Philadlephia Wild Card Playoff game. The Eagles had been knocked out of the playoffs in 1978, so they were out to improve. The Bears, they needed a miracle to get in, and that they got in the form of a Bucs 3 game losing streak and 4 game one for Chicago. That all ended in Philaldelphia, would would be coming to Tampa for the divisional round of the playoffs.

Bucs players and coaches got wind that Philadelphia players had already booked their tickets and luggage for Dallas for the next week. In player interviews, Eagles explained how they felt they were as good as all the other playoff teams, like the LA Rams and the Cowboys, whom they had beaten once. But notice how they didnt mention Tampa Bay? They probably overlooked the Bucs, and it showed right off the bat. An 8:00+ drive and Ricky Bell hammered home a TD for a 7-0 lead. It would be 17-0 before the Eagles knew what happened, and they were lucky to be down only 17-7 at the half. Trading Touchdowns in the second half, the Eagles last attempt fell short, and the Bucs were to move on to the NFC Championship game, which they thought would be at Dallas.

The Eagles/ Bucs playoff game was on Saturday. Sunday at 4PM, the Bucs players watched as the Cowboys hosted the Rams. Bucs fans wanted a Ram win, as the Bucs would host the next game, and Bucs had beated the Rams 21-6 in week 4. Late in the playoff game, Rams had the ball with a few minutes left, but got no pressure on Vince Ferragamo. He completed a pass over the middle and Billy Waddy took it all the way for a touchdown and a miraculous 21-19 victory over the Cowboys, setting up an improbably location for the NFC Championship game... TAMPA BAY!

The game sold out in hours, and Bucs fans camped out all night long in the cold weather to wait to get tickets.

The Championship game was on a Sunday, with the 1:00 game featuring the Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers, and a controversial call hovered over that game as Mike Renfro appeared to have caught a TD pass that was ruled incomplete. It made no difference, the Steelers at that time were simply Super.

But now the 4:00 game had come, and the excitement in the area was unbelievable. Picture how 2002 was, but think...the Bucs fans believed we could and should win this game, unlike that '02 Philly game.

The Rams pretty much dominated the game though. The Bucs were quite lucky to only lose 9-0. Several Rams TDs were called back on penalties as they settled for FGs instead. Even the Bucs had a TD called back once Mike Rae QBed the Bucs because Doug Williams suffered a torn Biceps muscle in the game.

The Bucs had a chance to kick a long FG but didn't, and on a trick play, Jerry Eckwood passed downfield to Larry Mucker, but the pass was slightly under thrown. Had it not been, we would have scored on that play easily.

The game is re-lived here by those that played it.

In 1999, Doug Williams and Lee Roy Selmon were honorary Captains in St. Louis to play the Rams. And now, celebrating 10 years since that epic game, I hope you enjoy the game Sunday, and enjoy the familiarity of the names mentioned in this series if you've never heard them before, or bask in sound of them Sunday if you remember them like I do.

Week 9 Preview: Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2009-11-04T03:01:19Z

vs.

Overview: After a much-needed week off to nurse some bumps and try to get the nightmare of the London Massacre out of their domes, the Buccaneers return to the field this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium for a tilt with their former NFC Central rival, the Green Bay Packers. The Bay of Pigs, as Chris Berman donned it. Both teams come in looking to turn their seasons around, but for different reasons. The Packers come to town fresh off of the receiving end of a William Gay-esque trucking courtesy of Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. The Packers actually held up ok against AP and the Viking rushing attack on Sunday (allowed 110 yards), but surrendered 4 TD passes to the ol' gunslinger in an emotional homecoming at Lambeau. The Bucs come in looking for something, anything, to spark a fading, winless team following a curbstomping on the other side of the pond at the hands of the Patriots. Moreover, there are growing rumors among media outlets of off the field issues between the head coach and certain players. Well, the future is now in Tampa, as the Bucs have given the keys to the offense to rookie QB Josh Freeman in what will be his first career start. However, the Bucs are going to have to establish a consistent running attack to have any chance to sustain drives against the Packer defense.

3 Brief Keys to a Packer Victory:

1. Stick to the basics - run the ball. With the talent Green Bay has under center and at WR, the Packers have had success through the air. However, as will be discussed later, they have had major protection problems this month, with Rodgers winding up on his back far too often. No need to put Rodgers in harm's way too much this week. If the Packers feed the ball to Ryan Grant, they should find success against a Buccaneer defense that ranks dead last statistically against the run in the NFL.

2. Force Caddy off the road. With a rookie QB at the helm and two great cover corners, it's no doubt the Packers will try to take the Buccaneer running game out of play and force the Bucs to use Josh Freeman's untested arm to move the ball. Also, I doubt Freeman will be given much flex to audible at the line, so the Bucs could be looking at an aggressive set of run blitzes and unblocked safeties on a regular basis.

3. Your defense is quicksand... bury the new kid early. If the Pack can drop Freeman a few times early or force a turnover or two, the playbook will likely tighten up quickly and the young QB will become more and more timid to make another mistake. Doing so will force the Bucs into more predictable running plays early and into the Packer defensive front, which is playing well lately.

3 Brief Keys to a Buccaneer Victory:

1. Finally live up to that "we're going to be a violent team" moniker. For a team that has a healthy, impressive stable of backs and an O-line line chock full of returning starters, they sure don't do much to show them off. Take the fight to the Green Bay front 7 and run the ball early and often. Dive plays, misdirections, off-tackle runs, end arounds. For every running play, every down and distance, this team has a back for it. Finally use them all properly.

2. Baby steps... manage the game efficiently and stay out of 3rd and longs. Easier said than done, but sticking with the running game more than they have so far on 2nd down and 6-8 yds should make for more manageable 3rd down opportunities. Running the ball early will help establish play action at key times as well. Also, RB screen passes and WR hitches and screens are effective against the right defensive sets. Use them much more than you have so far. Remember, baby steps for your baby QB.

3. Continue to make life miserable for Rodgers. 19. That's how many times poor Aaron Rodgers has been sacked the past four games, averaging almost five per game. Rodgers and his stable of talented wideouts can decimate a defense if given time, so it'll be essential for Jimmy and Stylez to generate consistent pressure out of 4 and 5 man rushes, disrupt Rodgers, and put the Packers in a fair number of 2nd/3rd and long situations.

Buccaneer Offense vs. Packer Defense

The 2009 Packer defense ranks statistically as one of the league's best, although part of those stats come from holding the inept Lion and Brown offenses to 3 total points. They rank 2nd in total YPG at 283.4 and 10th against the run at 99.4 YPG. What's more impressive about that defensive statistic is that they've held the great Adrian Peterson to under 100 yards rushing in each game. The Packers employ a 3-4 front. A great part of the success of this scheme lies in their magnificent set of linebackers. Aaron Kampman moved to OLB from his 4-3 DE position and has held his own against the run, but is not generating much of a pass rush, totaling 2.5 sacks in '09. 1st round pick Clay Matthews mans the opposite side OLB. Matthews has already made impact plays as a rookie, stripping Peterson and returning it for a TD in the Pack's first matchup with Minny. Headhunters AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett man the middle of the line. All in all, this front 7 is big, physical, and very capable of stopping the run, but is susceptible in the passing game. There are opportunities for Winslow and Stevens to take advantage of some one-one-one matchups in man coverage on shorter routes.

That being said, everything starts up front for the Green Bay defense with their massive Nose Tackle, 340 lb Ryan Pickett. He's a space eater than commands double teams. The question is whether the center and guard can hold him in place or whether he can step into the A-gap and push the linemen back a few steps, closing the lane and forcing the RB outside towards the OLBs. If the Bucs want to establish a power interior running game (which are primary fakes for play-action), Jeff Faine and Zuttah/Joseph will have their hands full. They will have to at least hold the big guy at bay and create some narrow interior lanes for the backs.

Where the Buccaneers might find success running the football is off-tackle on the left side. RDE Cullin Jenkins is about 20 pounds lighter than his LDE counterpart, Johnny Jolly, and has generally been a more effective pass rusher than run-stopper. Big Donald Penn and Stevens can knock holes between the RDE and ROLB, with Earnest Graham opening up a hole to the secondary with a kickout block on the ILB.

In the secondary, veterans Al Harris and Charles Woodson are as good a pair of cover corners as a coach could hope for. They love to crowd the WR at the line and jam him off his routes. Although not as young as spring chickens anymore, both have seen it all and should be able to stick with the Buccaneer wideouts, although Bryant still can create some opportunities deep. However, as we've seen this season so far, if there's one spot where the Packer defense is soft, it's in the secondary right down the middle of the field. The Vikings exposed this weakness in both matchups, with Favre torching the secondary right down the middle. Moreover, both starting Packer safeties have missed time this year due to injury and SS Nick Collins left Sunday's game after colliding with FS Atari Bigby and is expected to be listed as questionable on this week's injury report. If the Bucs run the ball and work the short passing game as they should, the opportunity should be there to mix in shots to Antonio Bryant on a deep post in play action or the occassional seam/deep-in patterns to Winslow.

It's worth noting that the Defensive Coordinator Dom Caper has gone under scrutiny from his own players for questions of his schemes in recent games, namely their last 2 matchups with the Vikings. Charles Woodson and DEs Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins have spoken out against the Packers' lack of aggressiveness against QB Brett Favre, and both have received private conversations from coaching for their dissent. Another team with internal turmoil... not a bad thing for the Bucs. With a first-time QB taking the reins for the Bucs, Capers would be foolish not to bring more pressure.

Packer Offense vs. Buccaneer Defense

The Packers' passing offense may rank 9th in the NFL, but Rodgers is having an MVP-calibur season. For the great numbers that Peyton Manning and Brett Favre have put up so far, Aaron Rodgers actually leads the NFL in pass efficiency at just over 110. He's been nothing short of great, especially with him having to continually check for pressure due to suspect offensive line play. He can scan the field, read the defense, and find the open receiver, spreading the ball around early and often to James Jones, Jennings, Driver, Finley, Havner, Donald Lee, and Ryan Grant.

However, the Green Bay offensive line, as noted, has been violated by opposing defenses this month, allowing 19 sacks in 4 games and a league-high 31 sacks on the season. The news isn't great for the Packers, as both tackles are fighting the injury bug. LT Chad Clifton is questionable for Sunday's game with a bum ankle, with RT Mark Tauscher fighting a sore knee. Although the Bucs haven't been confused recently as a team with a consistent pass rush, they should be able to reach double digits in QB hits on Sunday and hopefully tally 3 or 4 sacks. Heck, they'd better or else...

... Aaron Rodgers will pick them apart. The Packers love to run 3 and 4 wide in one back sets, creating opportunities on deep drag/in routes and timing patterns with their athetic receivers, presenting matchup problems for many teams in one-on-one situations. With Elbert Mack struggling this season, the Bucs will have trouble matching up against the Packers' slot receivers. TE Jermichael Finley, who is considered 50/50 to play Sunday, is a big target and a true threat down the field. If he's unable to go, Donald Lee is not much of a drop off and is a big weapon in play action between the backers and safeties and even more so in the red zone when matched up against a linebacker.

The Packers employ a zone blocking run scheme. Although their offensive line has been battered in the pass rush, they are agile and capable of getting outside in run blocking and getting to the secondary for the extra downfield block, making the offtackle runs and outside stretch plays a significant part of their running attack. It will be important for Hayes, Black, Piscitelli, Talib, and Barber to get off blocks and prevent Grant from getting a big lane outside and away from the middle of the defense.

What Will Happen: With a young QB at the helm, the Bucs will finally come out running the football effectively, mixing in an assortment of short passes early. However, the Packers defensive front will bend in the red zone and hold the Bucs to field goal attempts much of the day. The Bucs will get a strong push on Rodgers in the first half, but will tire in the 2nd half, as Rodgers finds more time to connect with Driver and Jennings, with Ryan Grant putting the game away in the 4th quarter late.

Line: Green Bay -10.5

Final Score: Packers 27, Buccaneers 16

Poll Results; BucEm readers disapprove of Morris' job as Head Coach

2009-11-04T14:44:31Z

It's unscientific, and it means nothing as its doubtful a Brian, a Joel, or any Glazer is going to be reading it; but the results are hardly questionable by any means. Buc'Em readers overwhelmingly choose 'Slight Disapproval' (31%) as the majority answer in yesterdays poll designed to measure our site's reader apathy towards the team, and its 0-7 record. Not lost in the results is the fact that Strongly Disapprove came in a close second (27%). In the end, almost as many people chose both of the Approval answers combined than just the one strong disapproval, showing just how overwealming Coach Morris' lack of support seems to be here on our site.

Here are the numbers, crunch them up, add them, subtract, do what you will, but applaud yourselves while your at it; as 248 people took part in this poll. .

BucShots...midseason coaching changes? Talib story just that...& More

2009-11-04T11:00:30Z

Straight out of Dr. Who time warp...

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NFL.com's Vic Carucci says anyone who is for mid-season coaching changes is just committing a knee-jerk reaction.

From the Mouth of Morris... Talib never disrespected him. .....As I've said..don't listen to rumours. When it's in the Times, Tbo.com, its fact. When its on JoeBucsFan, its speculation. Didnt we learn anything from Dan Sileo about jumping on unconfirmed reports?? Seeing it somewhere is not confirmation. Seeing it on a reputable source, is.

Pewter Report gets into New Kicker #3 ( as they will be known from now on. I wont call one by their name until they make two field goals in a row). He looks....like a kicker.

Whats next for the international series? Paul Stewart of Bucpower.com talks about it here...

From the Bucs own website, talk of how the players are not quitting...how this team refuses to throw in the towel.

Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune talks about how there is plenty of blame to go around for offensive woes!

Former Buccaneer Scott Brantley is doing better these days after suffering mini-strokes last year.

More BucShots later in the week!saaa

Diary of a Football Dad: A Flash Forward?

2009-11-04T01:22:31Z

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The Football Dad and crew had just settled in for some bye week football, when BOOM! All of Buccaneer nation blacked out for two minutes and seventeen seconds. I woke up with Mountain Dew spilled all over my John Lynch jersey and the dog eating a Snickers bar out of my hand. Child 1 lay beside the table, readying to clean up the lamp broken by his errant pass. Significant Other called from the mall, claiming that somehow, receipts from Macy’s showed up in her purse after the blackout. Child 2 asked for more applesauce. Was this a global occurrence? Who else blacked out? What did I see in my flash forward? Do I have any Snickers left? The answers to these and more questions, after the jump….

Apparently, all of Buccaneers nation experienced a Flash Forward, revealing hints of the future. What did they see? I called my brother. "Brother, what did you see in your flash forward?" "I was talking to Deez." "Deez who?" Ohhhh. Well played.

Buc Wild called and in his flash forward, he was bunkered in his basement analyzing the DVOA stats for the past season. According to his calculations, the Buccaneers will run for 11 yards in the last 9 games of the year. But, he doesn’t think that Cadillac ripped another patellar tendon, so he’s psyched.

Child 1 is a big time third grader now, so he won’t be talking to his father at that point in the future, so he doesn’t see a reason to talk to him now. Can he borrow the car?

Six months in the future, Child 2 was playing Twister and listening to a Taylor Swift song... Is this any different than now? No. So, I’ve got those to look forward to for six more months.

Significant Other returns home to reveal that she saw herself with a handsome, thoughtful, caring, gregarious, did she mention handsome, man. Awww shucks….Who is he?

Football Granddad calls and said he was eating a bowl of soup and taking a nap in his flash forward. He doesn’t mention if that was in a nursing home, but I know the answer to that question.

And finally, what did I see in my flash forward? "With the first pick in the 2010 draft, the Buccaneers select Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle from Nebraska." Chest bumps and high fives in my draft room, but everything’s a little hazy. You see, in my flash forward….I’m drinking, DUH, DUH, DUH!!!