Pride in Battle You can level plenty of things at the Bucs this season I suppose, one dimensional passing attack, faltering running game, aging defense etc etc, but it’s clear to see you cannot question the heart and emotion these guys are playing with at present. When it's gut check time they are coming up trumps, and the pride and emotion they are displaying in laying it all on the line is a great thing to behold. In short, they are playing their butts off. Last Sunday was one of the strange games where you never really felt comfortable but always thought that somehow we would pull it out, and thanks to “Unbelievable Jeff” Garcia (nod to Chris Kamara there) and the crafty skills of two veteran receivers in Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway, we made the plays when we absolutely had to, allowing Matt Bryant (is my hero) to boot it down 11th avenue and nail the win. Player for player the Titans looked better than us, but games aren’t played on paper and rather from the heart and at the moment ours beats as strong as anybody in this league. Head on the Block Time Last week 7-6 (season 50-39 ) I am to tipping what Bruce Gradkowski is to the deep pass. This week's names of the jinxed are as follows:– G-Men Boy I love Losing Superbowlers Cheats Skins Aints Oilers Buckos Raydurs Bengals Iggles Seahawks Romo’s Stillers Peyton and his friends. How often have you heard the stat this week of our 30 yard rushing days, running back catastrophe’s and how dire the injury situation has gotten. Logic says you can’t win if you can’t run the ball but we proved that wrong last Sunday, and long may it continue. We are currently winning games we have no right to do so because we have a smart veteran quarterback who can evade the rush and who doesn’t take daft sacks. This makes the offensive line feel better about themselves, and when you add on Garcia’s ability to use his legs to get away from the rush, he keeps some plays alive longer than the average QB. The other major thing a smart vet gives you at the games most important position, is that he doesn’t hurt the team by turning the damn thing over – Garcia has some limitations but from the neck upwards he’s proving himself one of the smartest guys in the NFL. A few things I think 1. I think it’s nice to hear that one of the first things about Michael Bennett is that he doesn’t have a tattoo – he’s growing on me already. 2. I think that Tanard Jackson continues to get my attention in the Bucs secondary. The rookie safety may just turn out to be the steal of the 2007 draft. 3. I think judging by last Sundays game you can see why Tiki ended up the RB, and Ronde the CB. Twice he had the turnover ball in his grasp and twice it flipped out again, once from that most dreaded foe, the floor, and the other from a bread and butter tackle by Lendale White. Ronde – got to do better son. I won’t chastise him for the lost INT as that was a great play on the ball, but we’ve just got to take those opportunities when they come along. 4. Joey G – how on earth does that man do it? Single receiver, 5ft something running a deep post into double coverage and he still comes up with the play and the big 6. The man is physically impossible to overthrow, he’s that slick. How good does that trade with the Cowboys look these days. 5. Quite how Alex Smith’s ankles stayed intact after that 4th quarter play last Sunday is a mystery, but one we are all grateful for nontheless. It was yet another one of those Buc plays that makes you turn away from the TV. 6. I’m probably the only man on both sides of the pond who spurned the Cheats vs Romo’s game last week, in favour of rooting for The Cards against the Twits – it was a wasted effort but my main interest was our division. Did Belichick have his camera crew, that can outnumber CBS by the way, with him at Texas Stadium? Just wondered. 7. I think the fire sale from my FFL team continues, can the last one out the door turn off the lights? This past week brought us a much needed reinforcement to our running game in Michael Bennett, a player who’s background tells us he has the potential to be productive in this league and despite his age (29) doesn’t have a lot of wear in his tyres these past three years. Let’s hope it works out a great opportunity for us both, and if you are giving up second day draft picks for a player who may turn into a starter, I’d say it’s a trade we had to make. This week Sky TV have been kind and feature us again as we march into the architectural splendour of Ford Field, to face a Lions team that can light it up or stink badly - sometimes even within the same 4 quarters - so who knows what to expect from this one. If we can get BK on the field that will be a good thing, allowing Buchanon to drop into the nickel, as Mike Martz offense has many 3 receiver sets for us to match-up too so having the additional proven NFL corner would of great benefit. When we have the ball we must continue to run the ball to keep the D honest, and maybe the fresh legs of Mr Bennett can surprise us all. From what I hear he’s a smart cookie which should allow him to pick up the nuances of the system fairly quickly, and with Gruden’s complex play-calling and terminology that was probably a factor in trading for him in the first place; after all the backfield equivalent of the Bucs previous brain of America award winner, Marquis Walker, would have been as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike in our current flux. So how will we fare this week? Tough one to call, heart or head, lets go heart all the way with Bucs prevailing 23-20 and more gnashing of teeth and biting of nails amongst Bucs nation – enjoy the game and get the beers ready. Nod of Acknowledgement to - Ike Hilliard Play of the game last week on third and a bunch, backed up at our 20 yard line and the Titans chewing on 2 t.o’s – he read the zone, waited for the pass and set us on the way with the big conversion. Ike has kind of slipped under the radar these past couple of years but plays like that make memories that last a lifetime. Get in the Real World Award - England Football Team Well what a cock-up that was. A goalkeeper who’s been shit for 3 months, making an error that costs us qualification – now there’s a shock. 2 Reasons we won’t qualify from this group are the 0-0 with Macedonia a year ago, and Steve McLaren. Next manager please – Sven doesn’t look so bad these days does he. Sports News Story I No Longer Give a Toss About – NBA Basketball season I see the tattoo is essential wearing, 9 kids by 8 different women league is in its exhibition season. Forgive me if I draw the curtains and ignore it until the league cleans up its act. Isiah Thomas has just been convicted in court of sexually harassing a female co-worker and STILL keeps his job that he’s done appallingly in all aspects for 3 years. WTF?