Time to Close This Thing Out I read a column on espn.com last week in which the writer suggested the Bucs could make it out of the NFC this year as we still play great Defense and can run the ball. Much as I’d love to believe that sentiment, games like last Sunday illustrate why we are a one-win team in the play-offs at best in 2007, though heck bearing in mind how bad things were last year I’d be delighted to advance to the Divisional round before bowing out. Last Sunday in Houston the Bucs gave a classic after the Lord Mayors show performance, facing a team down to its back-ups all over the place we just couldn’t get any spark, and listening on the radio you just never felt we had it in us to grab the opportunity that existed. Make no mistake the Texans were right there for the taking, but the only thing we got out of the game were the further enhanced reputations of Earnest Graham and Greg White. That one’s gone now but we now have what must look on paper as the easiest three game run-in to end the season; all three are games we should win and at worst we should be posting a 10-6 mark come the end of the year. A few things I think 1. I think Jeff Garcia coming back this Sunday is just what the doctor ordered for him and us. The break should have healed his back completely and remind us of what got us on track this season. Smart play from a veteran QB, not turning the ball over and getting it into the hands of our money man, Joey G. 2. Which one comes first - a Miami Dolphins win or a Bucs kick-off return TD? The over and under on that one is October 2008. 3. I think given his somewhat chequered history and issues with alcohol I’d say Jerramy Stevens is a lucky boy to escape with a one game suspension, with Mr Goodell’s noted hard line with offenders. Mr Stevens is right in the heart of the last chance saloon, or in baseball terminology its bottom of the 9th, with two strikes and zero balls. 4. Great metaphor from my colleague Mike Davidson likening Kev Cadle and Nick Halling to extras from Bugsy Malone. What is it with the pinstripe suits anyway – mind you I normally flick to the interactive game at the sight of a break in the action to escape the idle banter, or head to the fridge to make another “good beer decision” 5. I see FUAT’s turned up in New Orleans. What a pity we don’t get to play them again this year so I could tell the little turd exactly what I think of him (again). 6. Well The Clap’s reign as FFL Champions is over, despite the best efforts of Joseph Live and Let Addai this season. Good luck to JD, Phil, Simon and Steve in the play-offs. May the best man triumph and then milk the moment for the next 12 months. This Sunday the Falcons come to town, and thanks to Bobby “he must have fought with the Italians” Petrino who this week decided to jump ship faster than Robert Maxwell, we face a 3-11 team without a coach in our own backyard. In a nutshell, they are shit and if we can’t win this one it says a hell of a lot more about us than it does them. A better opportunity to clinch the division couldn’t have presented itself, and it really is time to kick the Falcons when they are down so that we can wear the hats on the sideline and clinch our third division title in the past six years. What are the key to getting the win we crave? Jump on them early and often and don’t turn the ball over; poor teams are looking for a reason to get down on themselves and by taking the early lead and not giving them any hope we can get rolling towards dunking the Gatorade bucket on the head coach, slapping each other on the back and telling the media there’s more to come as all the dreaded cliché’s come out of the closet. Thankfully the man is back in the saddle this Sunday with Jeff Garcia stepping back up to the plate just in time for us. The Falcons are also coming off the short week and Im so sure this one is a banker that I’ve made it lock of the week too – could I do anymore to jinx this? Anyways let's hope we are toasting success and looking forward to the play-offs come Sunday evening, after a Bucs clincher – 31-13 sounds about right to me and I think we would be happy with that. Go do it Buckos. Nod of Acknowledgement to - Greg White Phenomenal rags to riches story. The best compliment you can pay our newest star on the line is that he has rendered the departure of Simeon Rice a non-issue. Keep playing like your pants are on fire big fella. Get in the Real World Award - Michael Vick It has to be. Keep hold of that soap in the shower Mr Vick as your buds from “Bad Newz” won’t be around to help you when you’re scrambling around in there trying to keep your ass clean. Sports News Story I No Longer Give a Toss About – Any story on the 72 Dolphins meeting up again, or waiting for the Cheats to lose Granted I’m no big fan of the Videocheats but the focus on these bitter old men in Miami really has to stop as their attitude is rather pathetic. Head on the Block Time Last week 12-4 (season 130-77) - Lock of the week 5-2. Starting to find some consistency here at the moment, though I’d probably fail the urine test if this gets any better. This week’s receivers of the Jim’ll Fix It Badges are….. Texans, Criminals, Cheats, Oilers, Starbucks, Stillers, The Fudge, Cheese, Buckos (lock of the week), Aints, Dolphins (really!), Peyton and his Friends, Romo’s, San Diego Super Chargers, Keepers of Jimmy Hoffa’s remains, Vikes.