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Tom Jones, The St.Petersburg Times, published 4 December 2006
Maybe for the first time since he was a Toledo Rocket, Bruce Gradkowski makes a perfect pass on a bomb and, clank, Michael Clayton, above, drops it. It was the third quarter and the Bucs were down only 10-0. Maybe Clayton was shocked Gradkowski actually got it to him.
Worst groundkeepers
Was there a pregame rodeo or something at Heinz Field? It looked like a mosh pit from the start. Well, the middle of the field. The teams were kind enough not to chew up the grass in the red zone.
Worst timing
Fox wraps up a one-minute feature on how 600 people showed up at a local bar to welcome home Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski just as Gradkowski throws an interception. Later, Fox shows his family again, and again Gradkowski is intercepted on the next play.
Thought of the day
We thought of this after all the lip-reading we've done this season. Exactly how many times in his life, do you think, has Jon Gruden used the big enchilada of curse words?
Worst pass rush
The Bucs managed one lousy sack against a team that gave up nine a week ago.
Worst play call I
Just under two minutes left in the first half. You're down by 10. You're 3-8 on the season and you run three times and knock the clock down to 30 seconds? When we complain about not running the ball, we're not talking about situations like this.
Worst play call II
Fourth quarter. Fourth and 3. You run a 2-yard flat pattern. What? Why? Huh?
Worst opponent
The Bucs are 1-7 all-time against the Steelers. They are also 1-7 against the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. The only team that has been harder on the Bucs is the Jets, who are 8-1 all-time against Tampa Bay.
Luckiest bounce
A Bruce Gradkowski pass that bounced off the chest of defensive back Deshea Townsend midway through the third quarter. If it had stuck, the Steelers' lead would have gone from 10-0 to 17-0 and Gradkowski would have had four passes picked instead of three.
Worst excuse
The Bucs can't use injuries as an excuse in this one, not with the Steelers missing starting receivers Hines Ward, and Cedrick Wilson and both strong safeties, including All-Pro Troy Polamalu.
Thank goodness for the field goal
By kicking the last-second field goal, the Bucs avoided being shut out twice in a season for the first time since 1993.
Best coverage
Josh Bidwell's third-quarter punt is downed perfectly by Blue Adams and Torrie Cox inside the Pittsburgh 1-yard line. That's how you do it. But when that was your best play of the day, you've got problems.
Most interesting observation
At halftime, Fox's Jimmy Johnson, left, pointed out that though Bruce Gradkowski had thrown only six interceptions coming in, that's because he is so quick to pull the ball down and run instead of trying to make a big play at the risk of an interception. "As he matures, that part will come," Johnson said.
Just a thought
Both teams came in with horrible records. But you get the feeling that the Steelers are a good team just having a bad season, while the Bucs are just plain bad.
Worst game
Oh, Cadillac. His third-down drop killed the Bucs' second series. He had another fumble that was reversed by replay, then he picked up an illegal procedure penalty. Jon Gruden simply looked at him and yelled, "Wake up!" He didn't. He fumbled again. Jumped again. Eleven carries, 27 yards. Just a forgettable day.
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