Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio John Romano, The St.Petersburg Times, published 13 December 2004 CAN ANYONE PLAY THIS GAME? Once again, the door was opened for the Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card race. And, once again, they stumbled in the foyer. Minnesota, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Detroit and St. Louis lost on Sunday. Had Tampa Bay won, it would be tied with Carolina and St. Louis for the second wild-card position. As it is, the Bucs are hanging on by their fingertips. THROWING CAUTION - AND POSSESSION - TO THE WIND If not for Brian Griese, the Bucs would not be in a position to worry about the playoffs. Even so, he has had an alarming number of silly interceptions lately. In his first 141 pass attempts, Griese threw one interception. He has eight in his last 132. SAD, BUT TRUE With the season literally running past, Dwight Smith stuck his arm out and stripped LaDainian Tomlinson of the ball in the fourth quarter. It should have been the type of play recalled long into the offseason. Instead, it already is fading from view. OKAY, IT'S A CHEAP SHOT The Colts, a Super Bowl contender, found room on the roster for a second kicker. The Bucs could not. Do you suppose the Bucs might have had a better shot at the onside kick with Martin Gramatica? THE KID'S ALRIGHT The front office's fetish for 30-something players should be cured by the play of Michael Clayton. With all the veterans in the huddle, it's the rookie who keeps coming through in big situations. Five ways the Bucs might have kept Keenan McCardell Spruce up the field by painting dollar signs next to yard markers. In lieu of cash, should have offered him Todd Steussie. Polygraphs for all front-office personnell Make him look faster by signing a bunch of washed-up, old guys. (Okay, they did try that.) Install an ATM in the end zone. Five paths to doom PENALTIES It's starting to come into focus. The offensive line has played better because it cheats. It appears the Bucs cannot get through a game without a majority of its linemen being called for penalties. DROPPED PASSES It was as if the running backs were having a contest. Mike Alstott, Michael Pittman and Jameel Cook combined to drop five passes. MISSED FIELD GOAL Field goals of under 40 yards should be close to automatic. Yup, it's hard to believe watching this team. But the NFC average coming into the week was 90.6 percent. Bucs kickers are at 66.6 percent. BLOWN COVERAGE The 79-yard touchdown by Eric Parker was the longest against the Bucs in seven years, but it wasn't a shock. Tampa Bay's secondary has given up six passes of 40 yards or more in the past eight games. RUNNING GAME It shows up every so often (usually against a bad opponent) but the Bucs cannot run the ball consistently. They put too much pressure on the passing game, leading to too many sacks, interceptions and penalties. Five final words Can we talk next year?