Tampa Taxi Shots

Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - and Da' Quan Bowers

I saw many people wearing throwback Buccaneer orange still going into the stadium after the kickoff. Today has been good and I have taken many people to the stadium. I told the fans from Carolina that I had no confidence in the Tampa Bay bucs. Our defense is just to easy for other teams to run on. We are getting torched, and I see no reason to believe this trend will correct itself. 

You can say we are young and our front four is still learning. I have heard Da' Quan Bowers is making some plays and sacks. This is the kind of effort we need out of this guy who was projected to go in the first round, as a top pick. It is hard to find any information or photos on this guy. Most of it is about his carrier at Clemson. His play with the Bucs has been limited at best.

Still, Carolina is moving the ball at will and is ahead 21-9, at this point. Cam Newton is having his way with us. I know that would happen. 

Anyway, home games are good for cab drivers. We would get more action if the team was playing better.

Can Tampa Bay Beat Green Bay? Maybe

Superman?

Is Green Bay vulnerable? Yes. Let me explain.

Vince Lombardi once said that Defense wins championships and offense only sells tickets. In football, truer words were never spoken. That is the Packers weakness. They don't have a Super Bowl defense. That is were they can be controlled .

Green Bay has already giving up 183 points in nine games (Contrast the Bucs who gave up only 193 points during the entire season the year they won the Super Bowl). In addition, Green Bay has surrendered 33 points twice in two of their last three games.

Can the Bucs capitalize on this? Can the Bucs score against a weak Green Bay defense?

The problem is the Buccaneers are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league (averaging 14 points). They mostly just go 3 and out. What can they do to win against the Packers?

Ball control would be the key. If they can work sustained drives and keep Arron Rodgers off the field, the better it looks for them. There is, however, no evidence that the Bucs are capable of such a thing.

The best thing they can do is just hope Green Bay is looking ahead to the Detroit game on Thanksgiving day and they just mail this one in. Good luck Bucs!

Tampa Bay Bucs Football May Sell out for A Monday Night Game?

The best situation for a Tampa taxi driver is a sold out stadium. You simply get more action. More people go to the games and more people go to the sports bars to watch on television because the games are not blacked out. Cab drivers can make more money. That is what it is all about. 

I also believe the more any product is put in front of a possible customer base, the more tickets they will sell in the future. Success feeds on itself. The best thing about the Buccaneers going to London this season, is that game counts as a home game and it will be telecast. The things you have to do to avoid a blackout. 

Personally, I think the blackout rule is arcane and was invented in a time when most televisions were in black and white and people used rabbit ears to see only three channels. Today, with alternative media and internet, people can pick up streaming video of the blacked out game, and any other game they want to watch. There is just to much competition now for the NFL. They need to reconsider what they are doing and become more creative and developing fan bases.

 "Might the Tampa Bay community stain of blacked out Bucs games come to an end in 10 days when the Colts come here to face the Bucs on Monday Night Football?

Rick Stroud, of the St. Pete Times, apparently is hearing that good things are on the horizon, so he Twittered this morning.

@NFL Stroud - With a good week of ticket sales, Bucs Oct. 3 Monday Night Football game vs. the Colts will most likely be a sellout and televised locally

 

As Joe has written, there’s something dreadfully wrong if a “football town” with a good team can’t sell out a Monday Night Football game early in the NFL season. That might happen here, and Joe expects this will come down to 11th-hour sales. But Team Glazer really would be missing the boat if it didn’t do whatever needs to be done to make sure Monday Night Football is available for the many hundreds of thousands of locals who will sit home and watch it.

 

Joe’s desperately hoping it gets done by any means."

via www.joebucsfan.com

I was wondering how long this blackout would last. That would be nice on a national televised game, that we could sell out so the announcers will stop talking about how poor Tampa Bay sports fans are.

Is Gerald McCoy A Bust For The Buccaneers?

Gerald McCoy was the 3rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was projected to be a starter at defensive tackle from the fist game of the season. His performance has been less then what a top pick should produce. Both Detroit and the Vikings ran right at him, and racked up hugh rushing yards. McCoy also has no sacks. 

That really is the problem. He has been OK. That is great for a walk on unrestricted free agent, or a 5th round pick. McCoy was one of the top picks and shows no real muscle in the middle. Season one was cut short by a bicep injury. He is healthy now and complaining about how hot it was by the third play of the Lions game last Sunday.

We have seen this before in Tampa with Eric Curry and Gains Adams. They were top picks with no upper body strength. Guys that cannot bench press can't move anyone out of the way. McCoy may just be too weak for this type of job.

I say, by the end of the year if he is not a dominating presence in the NFL, get rid of him. I know that sounds cruel. Life is cruel.

Lee Roy Selmon - The Greatest

Lee Roy Selmon left the world better then he found it. That is an indisputable fact. It was not just football that made him great, even though without it, we would not have had him as ours.

Lee Roy Selmon was the greatest ever to play in a Tampa Bay Buccaneer uniform. Lee Roy Selmon had the greatest impact on the Tampa community then anyone in recent memory. Lee Roy Selmon leaves a legacy of giving to causes that made us all better. Lee Roy Selmon set an example of how all of us should conduct our affairs. Because of Lee Roy, the bar will be at a mythical height. That is why he will be missed.

He was a mild mannered man. That reflected the wholesome family structure that he grew up in in rural Oklahoma. He was a great football player as a youth, and went on to be the first Tampa Bay Buccaneer inducted into the Hall Of Fame.

He was a beast in the NFL, and one of the only players in football history to have never been called for a personal foul. That reflected his 'gentle giant' nature. He never wanted to hurt anyone. He simply wanted to do his job and make a tackle.

The measure of any man is what they say about him after his passing. The outpouring has been remarkable - what would you have expected. Nobody ever had a bad word to say about Lee Roy Selmon. That is so rare today. Most narcissistic athletes think the world owes them something, and they don't really care about the fans or the community. They are ready to flee for a better contract in any city. We are better for Lee Roy hanging around all these years.

Most people remember his stature as a man, and his humble nature. He did not have to contribute to this community. He could have gone back home to Oklahoma, where he was a hero. He adopted Tampa and we adopted him. All of us are better for him being just who he was.

He was one of those rare people,that when they pass, you wonder how the world will replace him. You can't. All you can hope for is his legacy will inspire others to dream of things they did not think were possible.

When Leroy helped establish the USF football program, they printed a tee shirt that day that said "USF 53 -Notre Dame 0."  The day before he died, it was USF 23 - Notre Dame 20. Dreams really do come true.

Leroy left the world better then he found it.

So long buddy.

Bucs Waste No Time In Signing Players, And A 5'9" Middle Linebacker

The Bucs are wasting no time in signing players after the NFL lockout is over. They do have a lot of ground to make up becasue they are way under the cap (the new CBA demands the Bucs spend money). I wonder why they have signed a 5'9" linbacker. What's next, the Hunchback from Notre Dame? They say Monte Kiffin(his coach at Tennessee) really likes this kid and that he is fast and a sticker. I hope so. He is the same size as Sam Mills who had a twelve year carrier in the NFL. So lets give the kid a chance. He could give some energy to a young unit that is developing an indentity. 

The Bucs will benefit bigtime with this new cap structure. They will have 90 guys in camp by Friday and I really expect great things this year. As a taxi driver, I make money off of these NFL games. That is why I am glad this is over and we can move forward. Lets just get a sell out once in a while. 

"Mark Dominik is off and running, wasting no time getting some undrafted free agents in the fold for your Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

JoeBucsFan.com has Nick Reveiz in the fold. He's a middle linebacker (surprise) from Tennessee who was coached for a time by (surprise) former Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

You look at him and can see why perhaps teams passed on him. He suffered a knee injury last year and the guy is, well, short. He's 5'9'' (Sam Mills) and weighs in at 230 (Sam Mills) and he's not that fast (4.65-4.7 in the 40).

That being said, now consider: He earned his stripes as a walk-on. He became a team captain and that's rare at a program like Tennessee. You think he's a hitter? When you're 5'9'', you'd better be a hitter (Sam Mills).

The Bucs also have Mossis Madu from Oklahoma in the field perNFL draft insider, Jared Tokarz.

Madu is a running back, 5'11'', 201, a 4.5 to 4.6 guy. Versatile enough to perform well as a kickoff return man and slot receiver.

The Bucs can bring 90 men to camp and right now—draft picks included, they're around 79 on the roster."

via bleacherreport.com

There is a lot of talk on Tampa sports radio about Barret Rudd being out of here. They guy is a hitter and can come up big on big plays. Personally, I believe the Bucs will sign him because they must now spend 99% of the cap. I would stay with a proven commodity and not change too much

 

Luke Stocker Is A Huge Upgrade For Buccaneers Offense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved up 12 spots in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft to get TE Luke Stocker of the University of Tennessee. He is a very big and athletic (see video) player and he will make an immediate upgrade to a Buc offense that is on the rise. A very solid pick by Raheen Morris.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved up 12 spots in the fourth round of the NFL draft to grab Tennessee tight end Luke Stocker, making coach Raheem Morris a happy man.

Morris was set on adding Stocker from the start, calling him a potential first-round talent, but patiently waited until general manager Mark Dominic pulled the trigger.

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"The nervous head coach sat there and he wants to get guys, and Mark and his staff were right on the details about where they should go and waited until possibly the last minute to take some of those guys," Morris told the St. Petersburg Times on Saturday.

"When you get a Luke Stocker in the fourth round, when you could easily give him the grade of a second-round pick or arguably a late first, that is a phenomenal day," Morris said.

Stocker was the first offensive player taken by the Bucs, who used their first three picks on a pair of defensive ends and a linebacker.

The 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end had 39 receptions for 417 yards and two touchdowns at Tennessee last season and

via www.nfl.com

This guy is big and very athletic. He will be a huge asset for the Buccaneers. Morris is making some very spectacular picks in the three drafts he has had. He has turned the team that Jon Gruden ruined into a championship contender.

 

Bucs stock defense, take DE Da'Quan Bowers in 2nd round

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers in the second round of the NFL draft, a bold move the team hopes will help rejuvenate a weak pass rush.

The Bucs selected Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn with the 20th pick of the first round. Bowers was the 51st selection overall, although there's a question of when he'll be able to play because he recovering from right knee surgery.

Bowers had 15.5 sacks as a junior in 2010 and joins a defense that ranked 30th among 32 NFL teams in that category last season.

It's the second straight year the Bucs have used their top two picks on defensive linemen. Tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price were taken in the first two rounds in 2010.

via www.wect.com

The Buccaneers went with a real Character guy with this pick. Da'Quan Bowers (in the pink suit) plays professionally in a Gospel band the tours the country playing in churches and performance halls (he is no ghetto rapper). Bowers has been playing the guitar since he was four years old and he can play like Jimmy Hendrix they say. He is committed to the Lord, and football is not his greatest passion. He has always wanted to perform with the legendary Singing Stars. Strange about football. If not for the knee injury, scouts said he may have been the first player taken in the draft. This very talented young man seems to be able to go in any direction.

The Bucs took two inside DT last year in the first and second round of the NFL draft. This year they take the DE position. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won a Super Bowl with defense. The new coach Raheem Morris is loading up on the defense now that his offense is a rising force in the league. I just hope there is football this year. The Bucs would suffer more then most teams since they are a young and developing team (10-6 last year).

Aqib Talib Is Called Out By This Taxi Driver

Aqib Talib is a great athlete. At corner he makes more interceptions then any man in the NFL. He was defense of player of year while missing four games. He is the complete package at defense. There is a problem. He is a very dangerous man off the field. The Buccaneers need to realize that, and get rid of him.

In the meantime I hope he does not get into my taxi cab. In sixteen years of driving taxi, I have been assaulted three times. It did not end well for the perpetrator. Two of them I know are maimed for life, the other may have recovered from his broken arm.

When I was assaulted out of the cab, on the second floor of a project I pushed the guy off the second floor balcony. He may be dead. I don't know, nor do I care.

Many cab drivers have "things" in their cabs. These "things" could bring your NFL carrier too a sudden halt. You were lucky that the cabbie you hit was not armed. I'm telling you guy many are. I would claim self defense.

I am a Buc fan and we need you at defense. Stop being a fuck up guy.

Your coach at Kansas was ripping you on Twitter hard last night saying you were the stupidest person he had ever known. He basically called you a retard. If your coach is calling you that, it may be to late for you.

You hit the DNA lottery with your football skills. The world was your oyster with a multi-million contract. You could have lived the rest of your life doing anything your heart desires. When you are my age and broke, you will know how much you fucked yourself.

You need to contact Tony Dungy and let him be your father and mentor. He is a man of God and can help you get your life back on track. Look at what he did for Mike Vick. Make that call now.

The new faces of the NFL South

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday, the next generation of NFC South rivalry really could take root. Both teams are 5-2 and tied for first place in the division.

There's been some bantering back and forth over Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris' comment two weeks ago that the Bucs were the best team in the NFC South. And the matchup between Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib and Atlanta receiver Roddy White promises to be highly entertaining because both players like to talk -- a lot.

But the real story in this game and what could make this rivalry special for the next decade or so is Ryan and Freeman.

“I've been real impressed [with Freeman],'' Ryan said.

He should be. Looking at Freeman should be like looking into a mirror for Ryan. In a lot of ways, they are the same guy. One year apart, each was drafted to be the franchise quarterback for a franchise in disarray.

via espn.go.com

Josh Freeman is very mobile on his feet. He can extend drives and keep the Bucs in games. The upside of this guy is unbelievable. Only 22 years old and he is the field general calling out coverages and re-routing receivers off of audible blitz packages. With the addition of a new found running attack in Legarrette Blount, the Bucs can explode on anyone. Blount is the kind of back that any time he touches the ball - he may be gone. Raheen Morris should be re-signed for a new contract.  His deal is up at the end of the year.  I believe he has shown an ability as a 'turn around' artist.  Coach of the year is not out of reach.  If the Bucs win Sunday, Playoffs are not a fantasy at all. 

Gameday: Pittsburgh v Tampa Bay

 Tampa at sunrise when there is a NFL football game in town. These guys on taxi stand 23 have been out here for years. They are pro ticket scalpers, and now that ticket selling is legal in Florida, they can do it more in the open. 

I help these guys out when I can. I always ask people if they need tickets or if they have any to sell. If so, I take them to these guys and receive a little 'bird-dog' fee. You got to do what you can to hustle on the streets. 

I asked them how the blackout of the game affected what they do. They said it helped because most of the cheap seats have already been sold, and the more desirable seats they have to sell. I still think this has got be be hit or miss. 

Looks like if you want to see the Bucs, buying a ticket is about it. Steeler fans have been great. It looks like a home game for them outside of the stadium. They travel well and really support their team. We can't even sell out. 

Another Week, Another TV Blackout for NFL - TheStreet

the Tampa Tribune pointed Bucs fans to mascot-appropriate pirated live streams from ATDHE.net, Justin TV, BlipTV and Ustream. They don't have the expressed written consent of the NFL, whose representatives say they'll "vigorously protect our product" though cease-and-desist letters and takedown notices, but loyal, frugal fans are using the option anyway. Plus, with the NFL's free broadcasts shown in HD and a game from another market replacing the blacked-out hometown matchup, borderline fans are still offered a crisp view of NFL action for the double-digit cost of an HD antenna.

via www.thestreet.com

The NFL may try to force these alternative networks to cease and desist from shown the Tampa Bay Bucs in the Tampa market, but they have brought this on themselves. The internet, direct TV, digital this and that, people can find other ways to see an NFL game other than paying $25 to park and $10 for a paper cup of beer. Free markets folks. The NFL is literally pricing themselves out of fans.

Mike Williams Is A Rising Star

 I just saw Mike Williams run in a 35 yard TD pass from another young draft pick Josh Freeman. You are seeing the future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Much can happen in the second half but one thing is clear - the draft picks of the head coach Raheem Morris are starting to produce. Face it, Jon Gruden was not much of a personal guy and most of his draft picks were bust. Simply a fact and that is why he does not coach in the league anymore. 

For Tampa area taxi drivers next week should be very profitable thanks to the NFL.  The PIttsburgh Steelers will be in town and the game is sold out. That means many fans will be in from up north. Steeler Nation travels well. Get ready to burn the midnight oil. I have a feeling that is the Bucs continue to play well, they will start selling out Raymond James Stadium again. 

They were saying on the FOX halftime report that Josh Freeman is the quarterback of the future for the Bucs. When he was drafted in the first round (Gruden never drafted a QB that high) the local media said Morris's future was dependent on the success of that pick. I wonder what the papers will say in the Morning. 

Bucs Draft Picks?

Other then the receiver out of Syracuse - have the Bucs signed all their 2010 draft picks? I know Gerald McCoy is waiting to see what the Rams pay the number one pick overall (he is yet to sign). The Tampa Bay Bucs have the potential to be much improved this year, but they need this crop of good young players. Lets get it done. Training camp starts next week.

I have lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1977. I became a Buccanner fan when I arrived. I could get a cheap ticket and actually get into the stadium and watch an NFL football game. I thought that was beyond cool. I finally figured out hat it was bad ownership that kept the team in the cellar all those years. My fear is that the Glazer family is in such financial trouble, they may not give these new guys what they want. That would be tragic. 

Get ready for blacked out games folks. 

Chris Hovan Has A New Job

 Chris Hovan is a big man and he has a new job. He has played 10 years in the NFL (5 for Minnesota and 5 for Tampa Bay) and is tough as nails.  He was let go by Tampa when the Bucs went to a youth movement at defensive tackle by selecting Gerald McCoy from OU and Brian Price from UCLA as their first two picks in the 2010 NFL draft. Hovan was expendable, and he knew it.  

One door closed and another one opened in St. Louis. The Rams are becoming stacked on the defensive line and the buccaneers will face them early in the season. Hovan had a lot of heart when he played for us...you can only wish him well in his new situation. 

The Buccaneers have a track record of these kind of things coming back to haunt them.  Discarded players, for some reason, seem to play well for other teams. Tampa Bay has at least three quarterbacks that have gone on and won Super Bowls for other teams.  Their system seems to develop players well.  Unfortunately, their management cannot always recognize that.

Eric Lorig Part Of The New Dominating Tampa Two Defense

Welcome to Tampa Eric Lorig.  This California surfer dude is now part of the most ass-kicking, dominating defense in the NFL. Well, it soon will be. The Buccaneers need to return to the glory that belongs to us!  Tampa Bay is known for great golf courses, beautiful beaches, and DEFENSE!

Erik Lorig Of Stanford Drafted By Buccaneers At Defensive End

Erik Lorig of Stanford was selected late in the 2010 NFL draft as a defensive end to try to return to the glory days when the Buccaneers were the best defense in football. I don't know much about this kid, but he must be smart if he went to Stanford. Combine this good looking kid with the two DT's They drafted, and Tampa is coming a long way from last years pathetic defense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Must Draft Ndamukong Suh...PLEASE!!!

In a world without Josh Freeman, the Bucs would appear more desperate. In a world without Freeman, their fans would sound more frantic.

Yeah, you can say this much for Freeman, the Bucs' still-developing quarterback:

When it comes to this year's draft, it is Freeman who has allowed the calm.

As important as this year's draft appears to be — and you cannot say that too often or too loudly — there seems to be a rather pleasant buzz attached to the anticipation. Perhaps that is because there isn't much controversy about the No. 3 pick. The Bucs are certain to have an opportunity to take a popular, widely approved choice.

via www.tampabay.com

I will be watching the NFL draft Thursday night and if they do not pick that big defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska, I will turn off the tv. This guy is special and destined to be one of the great ones. Watch this impressive video of his explosive KILLER ability.  I just hope the Glazier family will spend the money for this kid.

Josh Freeman Is Good

As they used to say in the '70's..."This guy is good."...Boy ever.  Josh Freeman in his first start in the NFL led the Tampa Bay Bucaaneers to the first win of the 2009 season.  This guy is so green and was still able to make clutch throws for touchdowns shows you the future the Bucs have.  Raheem Morris staked his coaching future on the ability of Josh Freeman and it looks like he was right.  This is great.  The Bucs are real.  They will be a contender for years to come because of this kid Josh Freeman that stood up big today against the Green Bay Packers

 

Bucco Bruce Means Bucks For Tampa Taxi Drivers

Remember the good 'ole days when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sucked?  Well there back!  They suck bigtime and that means plenty of tickets available.  That actually stimulates the Tampa economy.  Thousands of Wisconson people have come down for this game.  Guess what?  They are using our cab service.  It's about time.  Today was almost like the good 'ole days when you could make a couple hundred for yourself. 

I am enjoying this because it may not last.  The economy...Josh Freeman.  Hell, he may turn this franchise around when he gets his first start as a pro against the fudge on Sunday..He might get us some positive mo-jo going for us.  Hope so.  Sucking does suck.

Eagles 21 Bucs 7 At Halftime

Josh Johnson is playing a good game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  He is moble, he is hitting his recievers (even though they have dropped some passes) and the offense has moved the ball down the field.  The head coach, Raheem Morris has decided to not kick field goals but go for touchdowns.  That has cost them.  They have failed in three 4th downs on the goal and have left points on the board.  The second half should be fun.

Andy Reid has never lost after the bye week. He is a perfect 10-0 in his time with the Eagles.

The Buccaneers got the onside kick!!!  Now how cool is that ...Eagles 31 Bucs 14, 7:09 left in game.

Raheem Morris And The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prospects For 2009 Football Season

Raheen Morris will turn out to be the best coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ever had, or flame out as the worst.  I don't see any real middle ground.  He fired his offensive coordinator, he went "all in" with his first draft pick, he got rid of veteran players over 30 years of age when he got the job.  No doubt, he has been active, and all this before he hears his fist National Anthem in a game that  really matters. 

Personally, I like the moves.  He wants a power running game with a down field passing game.  That needs running backs and a big, tall quarterback.  We now have all of the above.  I really don't know what he problem is. 

Nobody is picking this team to do anything.  I disagree.  I think they will  contend for a divisional title and that tempo will be established on opening day next Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at home.

EARNEST GRAHAM AND GREG WHITE PROMOTE PHYSICAL FITNESS AT LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham and defensive end Greg White will speak to students at Kennedy Middle School in Clearwater about the importance of physical activity and sound nutrition during the Bucs’ third “What Moves U” fitness rally of the season. During the rally, the players will join teams of students and teachers to compete in a health trivia game.

“What Moves U” is a national movement and awareness campaign designed by the National Football League and the American Heart Association to promote physical fitness and healthy living among today’s youth. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will hold six “What Moves U” rallies at area middle schools between October 2007 and February 2008. Ten students from each participating school will then compete in the “What Moves U” fitness challenge at One Buccaneer Place, the team’s state-of-the-art headquarters, in March. The first, second and third highest-scoring schools will receive physical fitness equipment valued at $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. For more information on the NFL and American Heart Association’s “What Moves U” campaign, visit www.whatmovesu.com. Learn more about what the Buccaneers are doing in the community at www.buccaneers.com.

Schedule?....Ya Talk About Schedule?

The Tampa Tribune today had an article written by Roy Cummings in which they claim the success of the Bucs is because of their "easy" schedule. That is insane. Read what he said.

"The 2007 Bucs are a good example of how the weak often benefit. The schedule they were handed this year had them playing four games against 2006 playoff participants and was ranked fifth-easiest in the league at season's start.

That schedule since has proven to be as easy as projected. Only four of the 11 teams the Bucs have faced so far (Seattle, Indianapolis, Tennessee and Jacksonville) have winning records."

Interesting. Roy Cummings, before the season started, on his TV program said the Bucs would be 1-7 before the Bye week and in trouble. Why? Because they were not a very good football team....AND...because of the SCHEDULE!

The Schedules are done years in adance...The 2010 schedule has already been penciled in with 14 of the Bucs games already set. With the manditory South Division, NFC Conference and AFC Conference games, there are only two games that are determined by the "Strength of Schedule" For example, the reason we played Indy and Jacksonvile was because this year we play that division in the AFC. Roy...do your homework first.

I simply find it amazing that now that they have had success on a historical level for this team, that Buc bashers blame it on the SCHEDULE. Now forget about the regular season...now all the "Experts" are saying we have no chance in the post season.

playoffs...ya talking about playoffs.

That is why these girls are so happy because the Bucs are vastly improved and nobody will give us any love. ESPN.com says we have no chance against the Cowboys or the Fudge. A really cool Buc Blog called Buc'Em...Says it all

"Great, so we'll win our one Home Playoff Game and pack it in when it comes time to face the Packers or Cowboys. I guess we might as well jump into our NFL Draft preparation for the off-season then. I heard this all off-season and even got laughed at by a Sports Talk Radio host when I said the Bucs would finish (10-6). I know we don't have a win over any of the big boys to help my case, but this team has been so resilient this season. I have a feeling they'll find a way to get it done.

I don't know why I let articles like this get to me, the same notion was repeated earlier this season when a ESPN Preview to the first Bucs-Saints match-up read "Winning in Tampa should be a `Brees' for Saints" we all know how our Bucs faired..."

Go Bucs....NOBODY thought we would do this good including Roy Cummings....Don't come back later Tribune and report things that are just not true

Bucs Sports Talk Radio

When you drive a cab and you are a sports fan, you often listen to local sports talk radio. At nine in the morning I listen to WDAE sports radio Ron Diaz and Ian Beckles who are currently in Orlando covering the Bucs training camp. They seem to be in a great position for they are always getting the coveted interviews with Jon Gruden and Jeff Garcia. These guys are hip, up to date, and very knowledgeable about all sports.

They often have this guy on from England Paul Stewart who has never lived in Florida but seems to be a rabid Bucs fan. He has a website called BucPower.com it is a comprehensive site with archive and photos and summaries of every game the Buccaneers have played. I really don't know how he could have done all of this research. It really is mind-boggling especially for someone who live is London. I recommend his site.

Bucs May Need Culpepper, Mike Gravel, Gongressional Supporters

Tampa Bay Bucs General manager Bruce Allen dismissed a St. Pete Times article this morning about Chris Simms suffering from nerve damage, a complication from his spleen removal last year. When management begins telling you not to worry; it is time to worry.

Something tells me that Simms has more than just the "soreness in his arm that Allen alluded to as normal for quarterbacks in training camp. Simms' nerve condition, which according to Creative Loafing is called irregular proprioception, it s said to be not unusual in the aftermath of abdominal or thoracic surgery.

With Jake Plummer "holding out" the Bucs met with Dante Culpepper in an airport hanger at TIA, like something out of a spy movie. Like he was Howard Hughes in the movie TUCKER. Why the cloak and dagger. Do you need the guy or what. Wait! Dante wants a one year deal for 6.2 mill and then if he does well will sell his services to the highest bidder and the Bucs will be in the same spot again.

Cross your fingers folks, for if Jeff Garcia starts every game we will be deep in the playoffs. If not, Chuckie may be out. But who knows.

The Glaziers have never commented on that subject as yet. Jon may be here a long time until he gets it right.

Mike Gravel is running for President. It seems he has a little problem. The deadline is approaching and he has not filled his paperwork (AKA; submitted the $100,000). You are allowed to be a candidate as long as possible without filing. The FEC told me that on the phone. They said hold of on the 5 grand for Congress until you get it and because of McCain Fiengold disclosure law. Simple. I am in compliance. I now have $37 toward my campaign. I am on my way. Listen to what my fans are saying. congressional

"You haven't filed to run officially and you have collected $29 already?? Are we to assume that you will continue to break the law when you are in office? You NEED to read the laws and follow them if you are to be considered a serious candidate."

"Based on your attitude displayed on past posts (rants), not only should you not be running for office, you shouldn't even be placing the public at risk in your cabs!"

	"What is Mandrill Air Force Base? Yeah, you're lost old man." "Buddy, not only are you a lunatic, but you're a lunatic who will get worked by Kathy Castor on Election Day. Keep crazying around, but when all is said and done, you'll be back in the cab where you clearly belong Talk about a grassroots campaign