Bucs Send In The Clowns For Woeful Finale The Tampa Tribune, published 3 January 2005 2-3-ARI 24, (1:00), C. Simms pass INTERCEPTED by D. Dockett at ARZ 26. D. Dockett to ARZ 46 for 20 yards. FUMBLES (J. Jurevicius), RECOVERED by TB-M. Pittman at TB 17. M. Pittman to TB 16 for -1 yards (A. Wilson). PENALTY on TB-K. Walker, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced at ARZ 46. That from the official NFL game summary and coroner's report. It will live forever. Just as Neil O'Donoghue's kick- and-miss entertained generations of Bucs fans, so will this remarkable moment - ``The Play'' - from one of the worst games in history, two clown cars colliding, a shattering climax to the most pitiful Bucs nightmare in 11 years, a day without dignity. The Cardinals won 12-7. The Bucs fell to 5-11. Can it get any lower? ``It's the bottom,'' Joe Jurevicius said. We're not so sure. The circus hasn't left town. Keeping with the theme, Jon Gruden held his final postgame news conference of the 2004 season in a tent outside the stadium. The coach on the falling trapeze was briefly interrupted when a fight broke out among media members. Two writers flew off the platform Gruden was on and fell through some curtains. Gruden briefly watched the fracas. ``It's been a strange year, man.'' A strange year. A humiliating year. A year like no other, except maybe the year before it, or the years the Bucs were the most pathetic team in sports. The former champs are at the end of the line, and it's a punch-line. We could go on and on about Sunday. There was Chris Simms, the green quarterback, overthrowing Earnest Graham, two ZIP codes behind the Arizona defense. Michael Clayton, the best rookie receiver in the NFL, letting a crucial grab doink off his chest. There was another Michael Pittman fumble. And there were those boxes of rocks, the S&S Boys, Steussie and Stinchcomb, starting the game with false starts. Maybe it was the din of 31,650 Cardinals fans. ``I don't know if I was real positive or optimistic the rest of the day,'' Gruden said. Why should next season be different? Even a simple center-quarterback exchange was a comedy. ``It's a real problem for me,'' Gruden said, voice rising. ``I've just never been associated with that and I won't be. Whether they run me out of here or not, we will not allow that kind of play. ... That did not happen at the Chamberlain- Leto game, and it will not happen here.'' Whether they run me out of here or not. That's where we are, kids. Gruden was flabbergasted, though his flabber should have run out of gas by now. Did you see Dexter Jackson getting flagged for taunting old Arizona teammates? What is there to taunt about at 5-11? What? ``It was a dismal season to say the least,'' Jurevicius said. Could have been worse. Gruden could have liked what he saw from Emmitt Smith. And next season? The Bucs will get help in the draft if they pick right, like with Clayton. They'll go shopping. But they need to avoid the dinosaur aisle. No Garners, No Steussies, no Stinchcombs. Or it's closing time. They need a good running back who doesn't fumble. They need a complete overhaul - again - of one of the most tragic offensive lines in Bucs history, which is saying something. They need another fly-guy receiver; Joey Galloway turns 34 next season. They need a tight end. They need to plug the defensive line, for when Booger McFarland is under the weather or simply underachieving. They need a new birth of discipline. And focus. They need a real competition between Simms and Brian Griese. They need for Gruden to sleep in, or change something else, because it ain't working. He's not reaching this crew. He needs to listen more, unless it means listening more to Bruce Allen. They need to admit this ship has run aground, that it will take time, not the newest old guy they find. The lone Tampa Bay score, Simms to Clayton, 75 yards of it, shimmered with hope. And there was the defense. But who on this offense, other than Clayton, stirs you? And that defense will be a year older next season. The window the Bucs marched to San Diego through is closed. But there is a bright side. There is no more 2004. ``I'm happy it's over,'' Jurevicius said. ``I can't lose anymore.'' Not this season, at least.