What’s Goin’ On?” I considered having a ‘bye-week’ column-wise, primarily as a result of a lack of things to write, but decided that the hundreds of thousands of my fans deserved something… So here it is! (In reality, if Paul can update the site daily, the least I can do is offer weekly thoughts and opinion, even if my columns become NFL Watch throughout!) So, what’s new down in Tampa Bay? Within the organisation itself, not a great deal apart from coaching changes and sending five, highly unfortunate and deluded, men out to the nether reaches of the Earth (Germany) with the mistaken belief that after a few months in NFL Europa (Who is the jobsworth who was paid, yes PAID to come up with that name change. It’s no different to be calling the Raiders, the Jokland (ok, an e is missing) Raiders. Not the hardest task in the world is it?) they will be NFL calibre players. Guys, there’s a reason you’re in NFL Europa, and it isn’t your high talent levels… NFL Watch How have I lasted this long without mention of the Super Bowl? Simple, I forgot…! Ex-Buc vs. Ex-Buc. Tony vs. Lovie (I’m with Lee, explain the name please!) Black Coach vs. Black Coach for the first time ever (They tie for the first Black Coach in NFL History), and it’s a good ol’ O vs. D, much like our own Super Bowl, four years ago today as I write this – Happy Anniversary guys, it’s a shame I wasn’t around to back to enjoy it as well. My team? The Colts. Not for the Dungy connection, but for the fact that Peyton Manning has proven himself to be a big game player, and the passing game, Joseph Addai, and the overall package endear themselves to me more than the Bears. I’ve decided. The Cincinnati Bengals are about two years too late to make it into a legitimate “The Longest Yard” picture. Sorry guys. The problem with Tom Brady, when compared to Peyton Manning, is that he comes across as boring (on-field remember) – personally, it’s down to the Pats sending their opponents to sleep for the past six years, but I don’t doubt Brady or Belichick’s talent. How is Rex Grossman in the Super Bowl? How hasn’t Brian Griese started? Who’s our quarterback next season!? Geoff Haines is an arrogant prat of Meshawn Johnson/Terrell Owens/Nick Halling proportions. Finally, this Sunday is the two-year anniversary of me being a Buccaneer and a member of the Bucs UK – Thanks to everyone who’s made it worthwhile! Dave Moore, we salute you! 15 years as a football player, and now, in what is likely his final season, gets to attend the holiday camp known as the Pro-Bowl Dave, enjoy! The NCAA All-Star Game (Senior Bowl) is happening this weekend in Mobile, Alabama, and the Bucs, as mentioned in a past column, and elsewhere on the site, are in charge of the North Team (Heisman Winning/BCS Bowl Choking Troy Smith perhaps being the most notable mention here), and Gruden seems to have taken a shine to 20 year old Amobi Okoye, a Defensive Lineman from Louisville – indeed, Gruden himself asked Okoye in the press conference “Why do you want to play for the Bucs so much?”. His response? “because of the coaches facial expressions and also because they run a similar scheme to what he played in at the college level.” At least he’s a sense of humour…! Monte Kiffin’s son, Lane, has been hired as the HC of the aforementioned Raiders – personally, he’s a stop gap – next year, a whole list of A-Grade coaches (Incidentally Gruden wasn’t mentioned in the list on NFL.com…) could be available, most notably “former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher, Tennessee's Jeff Fisher, Chicago's Lovie Smith, San Diego's Marty Schottenheimer, maybe Bill Parcells and possibly even New England's Bill Belichick.” (Source: NFL.com). Assuming Lane doesn’t work out, I expect the Raiders to make a move for one of these coaches, with my early money, out of this class, being on Bill Cowher. As far as the Bucs go, if Gruden disappears, then Lovie Smith could make the return trip back to the team he knows..? Answers on a postcard after the 2007 season! Richard Lowe, January 2007