Playing Out The String Like the Bucs interest in the rest 2004 season I'll keep my rantings brief this week for the benefit of all concerned. Better writers than me have already picked over the bones of the wreckage of our season, and all the cock-ups and mishaps but I did read with interest a local media report speculating on which established Buc players can or will be moving on. Mike Alstott's salary cap figure next year is clearly out of whack for a player who has now been marginalised by both injury and coaching scheme, and hence we can take it for granted he is gone, barring a massive pay-cut, and being honest who really thinks Gruden wants to keep him? Derrick Brooks also is in a similar position, and after a stellar performance against the Falcons over a month ago Gruden boldly proclaimed that Derrrick will be a Buc in 2005 - this also probably means he's gone as well as Mr Gruden's guarantees are as reliable as Manchester City FC. Five things I think 1. I think getting Michael Clayton into the end zone twice last Sunday was the only positive we can take from the game. This will help both his confidence and development - as for the rest of the game, bah humbug. 2. For anyone who's asking, yes I still hate the Panthers and hope they miss out this week. However they are clearly better than us at present after 4 straight victories which are no fluke - if they beat us again next season I think they actually get to keep us on their mantle piece. 3. I think I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Reggie White earlier this week. When I began getting seriously into the NFL in the mid-80's Reggie led the Eagles back to prominence and he is without doubt the best defensive end I ever saw. RIP Big fella, you most definitely left your mark. 4. I think the lack of any Buccaneer interest in the play-off race has led me to turn away from the NFL a little this past week, with the festive season also playing a part. As a Buc fan we now must wait for March/April and the brief free agency and draft period, but it's a long 9 month wait for meaningful football games again in Tampa which is a dreadful thought. 5. If this is to be Mike Alstott's last game on Sunday let's hope Mr Gruden at least gives Mike a few carries of the ball and let Mike close it out with some dignity, rather than just leaving him on the bench. He has most definitely earned that right with his years of stellar service for our club. Impending free agency will do for Joey Galloway and Dwight Smith, who for different reasons - one is oft-injured and 33, and the other will command far more than he's actually worth - will also be waving us ta ta. Looking from another angle, where the hell do we actually start to re-structure this shambles? Well I've banged on about this before but I firmly believe we need a running back who is a genuine threat to go the distance on any down; a back who also doesn't drop the bloody ball half the time would also help, but this would be my starting point either via the draft or free agency. I'll dream up some suggestions in the next month and bore you all with them then but at the moment I am at a total loss as to where to commence the restructuring of a Buccaneer team founded in 1996 by Tony Dungy, which is now firmly once again in transition. The fact that the Bucs are naff again has actually felt like the return of an old friend to older fans who were there for the team when we were crap in the past. Lets hope we don't have to endure another 15 barren spell outside of the play-offs again. As for this Sunday's game in Arizona - who really gives a monkeys? It will be more beneficial to lose in order to select higher up the draft so naturally the Bucs will likely pull out the win just to make one last balls up to close out the year. Happy new year to one and all and best wishes for a brighter 2005, with smarter personnel decisions by our beloved Bucs.