No Longer Unbeaten, Time to Get Back to Basics Conventional wisdom dictates that if you play with a firework long enough, it will explode in your face and that quite literally is what happened to the Bucs last Sunday. Since the Buffalo game we have gradually slid towards a stinker of a performance, particularly on offense, and the chickens well and truly came home to roost in New York. We survived in Green Bay by a missed extra point and running out the clock, whilst in Detroit a helping hand from the booth upstairs came to our aid – not so last week when all our get of jail cards were used up and the clock hit zero by the time we had reached field goal range. Last week’s defeat highlight two main areas where we are suffering, the obvious first one being the loss of Cadillac Williams in the backfield. Michael Pittman is a decent back-up but as a full-time starter he just doesn’t float our boat, nor does he pose enough of a threat to warrant more than five or six carries in a game. A few things I think 1. I think it’s time we looked at our 4-1 record and assessed positively on what has happened so far. I’d wager we are at least one win ahead of where Mr Gruden thought we’d be at this stage, and he’s our biggest cheerleader. A victory on Sunday sends us into the bye week in a decent spot – go and make in happen Bucs, the ball is in our court and our hands to do so. 2. I think I’d love to see Cadillac have a big game this Sunday for two main reasons – to silence the doubters of his durability, and win his battle with Mr Brown. Here’s hoping. 3. Where’s PTI and all the insults being flung in my direction Mr Editor? It just isn’t the same without them. 4. I think my FFL team is the shits hence I’ve decided to blow the roster this week, and accept that building for next year is the best plan. A bit like the Raiders then. 5. Wasn’t it surprising to see Gobshite Johnson in a shouting match with Bledsoe last Sunday, flinging insults and palming off the blame as usual. I was just amazed, I mean that thing never happens does it? Now all The Cowboys are fully aware of exactly where Mr Johnson’s priorities lie – with himself as usual of course. 6. Could it be this week we here the words “Jones across the 45 50 45 40….he’s gonna go the distance………” – probably not, but we can dream can’t we? 7. I think there may be some truth to the rumour that Kenyatta Walker is the only current two-way player in the NFL, being listed as an Offensive Tackle and a back-up safety as and when required, which unfortunately is all too often. If Griese keeps this up the two of them will have their own State Farm Insurance Ad before the season is through. 8. I hope we don’t turn out to be the punchline in Ricky Williams comeback story this week. We already made Vinny into some sort of comeback warrior with our showing last week, no more please Bucs, my ticker can’t take it. 9. I think I’d like to sarcastically thank The FA Premier League for moving Manchester City’s game to Sunday at 4.15, thus meaning I will miss the first quarter of Sunday’s game whilst sat in a traffic jam, courtesy of the Greater Manchester Police. Thanks guys, I love you like The Panthers. No Cadillac means no home run threat in the backfield, and the knock-on effect to our offense has been instant and devastating. With him on the field our options are better and our threat more tangible, without him we are the 2004 Bucs again – plodding and pedestrian. Get well soon Cadillac and get your arse on the field as fast as you can, you are desperately missed. The second main area is our marvellous ability to kick ourselves in the nuts either by a penalty or a Brian Griese interception. Penalties wise we are not the bloody Raiders, nor do we have such an abundance of talent that we can overcome giving away 100+ yards each week – the problem needs rectifying and now as it’s killing many of our drives, and igniting our opponents going the opposite way. Mr Griese meanwhile needs to get his head right, his aim sorted and his mind tuned in. His penchant for the momentum changing interception, usually saved by a Kenyatta Walker tackle, has gone beyond a joke and has become way too much of a habit. If the pass isn’t there, throw the bloody thing away and we’ll start again from the same spot – overthrowing the pass, or forcing the ball into small areas does not make you a hero, and it just hurts the team. We do not have Dan Marino back there so it’s time Brian got back to basics and played accordingly, an interception-free day on Sunday would be a start. It’s Florida derby time this week as we face up to our chums from the south, and Cadillac’s bosom buddy Ronnie Brown. The bet here is that this is the game both of them pencilled in when they looked at the schedule, and I would be amazed if our number 24 didn’t suit up for this one. It’s a straight dual between them as runners and a chance for two decent defenses to strut there stuff; the fact that we are at home and that the crowd will be “up for it” so to speak should be a good remedy to help us get over last weeks loss. In addition the joy of the game being of SKY adds to our anticipation here in the UK. Having lost our unbeaten record my tipping hex has been exorcised so I can now feel relatively free to call each game as I see it . I think we will be ready for this one big-time, with a bye week coming up we don’t want to spend the next 2 weeks chewing on a turd sandwich of a defeat. Bucs to win 24-16 (gasps of shock from this column’s two readers), Michael Clayton to catch a TD and join the 2005 season at last. Nod of Acknowledgement to…Matt Bryant. On a shitty, windy and wet day in the Meadowlands Mr Bryant nailed four field goals and at least kept us in the game despite ourselves. The memory of FUAT drifts further away…..thank god. Get in the Real World Award… Mike Nolan, for throwing his top pick into a debut game against the hottest team and defense in the NFL – four interceptions, 70 odd yards passing and one destroyed ego was the result for his prized rookie. The decision to play him instead of Rattay for that game was bone-headed, and sadly the kid paid the price.