The Coaching Carousel – No Need for Concern As we have now entered the wilderness eight-month period that is the Buccaneer off-season, the chic subject being bounced around is how we will deal with the likely loss of a large proportion of our assistant coaching staff, an exodus already underway with Rod Marinelli’s impending arrival in Motown. Let’s look at things realistically and consider that assistant NFL coaches really use such positions to better there CV’s in the aim of using the job as a stepping stone up the ladder; we are simply fortunate that due to Monte Kiffin’s age and huge salary he has come to realise that working autonomously in Tampa gives him all he needs in his sixties. So long as Gruden and Kiffin remain in place we have no cause for concern in this area; sure some departures are inevitable but Gruden is such a gridiron nerd that I’m sure he’s fully aware of some 30 something whiz kid assistant bursting for an opportunity that we can provide. Let’s cool our jets and trust our gurus of offense and defense to find the right mix for 2006. A few things I think 1, I think I love the top 20 Buccaneer Running Backs feature, though the fact that Vince “Workman my way back to you Babe” makes the top 20 highlights the derth of quality to pick from. Nathan Wonsley anybody? 2. I think I don’t have a clue how the NFL Salary Cap works nor do I care to learn –I’m essentially like the Oakland Raiders on that one then. 3. I think I’d like to welcome our new columnist Denis Crawford on board – nice to see true Buc fans vent their spleen on this site. 4. What the hell was that field goal try from Vanderjagt about last Sunday – he missed by about three goal-posts worth and almost conceded a throw-in. I think my wife could have got the ball nearer than that. Vanderjagt’s career prospects in Indianapolis are now on a par with FUAT’s after that “attempt,” if you can call it that. 5. Am I the only person in the world who can see the Twits entire offensive playbook consists of “throw the ball to Steve Smith” plays? Double team this guy at the line and make the rest of these idiots beat you for Christ’s sake – I thought Chicago were supposed to be good on defense? The 1985 Bears would have pitched a near shut-out last Sunday so the laughable debate on which defense was better can at least be put to bed. 6. I trust work has already begun on how we can restructure Derrick Brooks contract to keep him a Buc for life has already begun. If it hasn’t it damn well should have. 7. It’s nearly 35 weeks until The Bucs or my FFL team has a game – oh woe is me. 8. I think as Bucs fans we all appreciate the anthem that great defense always beats great offense, as it’s how we won a Superbowl. The Colts continued floundering in the play-offs on a yearly basis merely reinforces it to the rest of the NFL. Even though we bowed out less than two weeks ago the issue of potential free agents is already being discussed. For what it’s worth I’d keep Chris Simms at all costs, make signing Chris Hovan a priority and also look to retain Matt Bryant and Dexter Jackson providing the prices suited us. The rest of our free agents can and likely will walk though Juran Bolden may also be retained for his nickel abilities and familiarity with our system. One name I simply cannot believe being linked with us is Mr Terrell Owens, the man who is to team spirit what Sven Goran Ericsson is to monogamy. If Owens and his one man circus isn’t enough to put you off, then throw in his agent Rosenhaus and you have the whole package of spin and verbal diarrhea that these two can provide. Owens has already exhausted at least three last chances by my count and clearly cannot toe the line – in simple terms I would be disgusted on a Darrell Russell scale if we went near him. I know we need help at Wide Receiver but if we are this desperate then god help us. If you thought Keyshawn Johnson was bad then we’ve seen nothing. Better options are available in free agency or via the draft, and at a cheaper price – perhaps Antonio Bryant from the Browns might be the man – if he can top 1,000 yards in that offense imagine what he can do in a professional one! I read with interest The Editor’s comments on having no interest from hear on out, and though I usually do watch on till the death I made limited attempts to view last weekend's action. I haven’t seen a play from either of Saturday’s games, and tuned in on Sunday for the 4th quarter of the first game to watch in disbelief as the Colts choked again, and then to cheer for the Bears only to see Rex Grossman play like me at quarterback – absolute shite. I will watch on this weekend, specifically to cheer The Seahawks on to victory, which they will achieve, though I have little or no preference in the AFC game to be honest. Then we have the ridiculous two week wait to The Superbowl which gives all the media the chance to think up the most bone-headed questions imaginable; quite who thinks up this schedule god only knows, but money is the only motivation behind it. If I have to pick I’ll go Steelers vs Seahawks in Detroit this weekend – so long as The Twits don’t win, that’s the main thing. Nod of Acknowledgement To….Rod Marinelli. Thanks for the great job in Tampa Rod, and good luck at the Detroit circus with ringmaster Millen. Get in the Real World…. The American Media. After a four- year love affair with Tom Brady, the posse came down with a bump last weekend when the Patriots Quarterback essentially played like a dog in a 27-13 play-off loss. I like Brady a lot, he’s classy and is a Michigan graduate but to read some of the stuff written about him you’d think he’d walked on water and fed the 5,000. Tom is a great player but he is human and his team can be beaten as last Saturday proved.