10 down, 6 to go! And provided we beat whoever wins in the Saints-Panthers game, and go 500 inclusive we’re in the playoffs. Frightening. But how’s this for a choice: make the playoffs and go out in the Divisional round, or finish with a 3-13 record and get a high draft pick – assuming our players have played the same, but we’re hit with a few unlucky breaks. You’d have the potential still there, and be able to draft someone of the Darren McFadden ilk. Which would you prefer? Answers on the message board! Speaking of the draft, if Cannon & Ball don’t take a QB in the first two rounds (if they’re still around), especially seeing as there’s a half dozen who could go then, [although Dennis Dixon (QB, Oregon - Sorry for infringing on your territory Wayne!) could fall to the 5th-6th courtesy of his season ending injury] then they’re just daft. Simms hasn’t shown enough to be a franchise QB, and the Brucey Bonus will be at best a change of pace QB, courtesy of his feet – that said, his slant passes are quite accurate, with only the longer throws, which, seeing as we have Joey Galloway could be a problem, a struggle for him to make. NFL Watch For He Who Shall Not Be Named (Coach of the Pats) to respect the Bills, AND destroy them in their own house is one step too far. Our editor wrote an article yesterday about running up the score – it’s not necessary in the NFL, and would surely be better to hide what you’re capable of until it’s needed. When Bruce went for it on 4th down last week I was a bit disappointed, and hadn’t a fudge what was going on. I don’t hate the Pats for cheating, running up the score, or being that damn good – I hate them because of the sheer arrogance displayed by them (including the running up the score) and their fans – woe betide any New England fan speaking to me in five years when they’re Bradyless (Sorry Phil, it will happen one day – make the most of your clear run to the FFL title whilst you can!!) and 0-10, having been stiffed and stuffed 70-0 by the New York Football Jets. They really irritate me. A lot. Happy thanksgiving to our American readers, and my how I envy your Thursday traditions! Dallas v. Green Bay, winner take all – odds on this being the NFC Championship Game? (If it’s possible?) An awesome offense v. an awesome defense, with a gunslinger on both teams – this writer believes it will overtake the Pats v. Colts matchup a few weeks ago for hype. What happened in Baltimore last week with Phil Dawson’s game-tying field goal?! Finally, Mike Davidson, welcome to the columnists list on the site, and thank you for your recommendation that I head up the owners meetings with Lee courtesy of the Bucs UK takeover! Pint anyone?! During pre-season 2008 we MUST have a “QB of the future” in place, otherwise we’ll continue to muddle through a couple of QB’s a season. Back to 2007… Did we destroy Atlanta, or did they destroy themselves? Would a better team offensively have made us pay for our turnovers and occasional sloppiness, or was our D that damn good? I’d wager that it was a bit of both – defensively, Sapp, Lynch and Brooks must be thinking that this Bucs D is showing signs of growing into its 2002 counterpart – Phillips is showing signs of Lynch’s Linebacker-Safety hybrid position, our pass-rush is stepping it up, and I’m particularly impressed with Jovan Haye. Offensively, the struggles potentially remain – is it the WR or the QB position that possible future problems lie? That said, the emergence of Earnest Graham has meant that we have a potent running game, and if teams stack 8 in the box, we merely let Jubilee Jeff bomb one Geriatric Galloway (Sorry guys, but if you call YOURSELVES dinosaurs…!) for a 40+ yard TD. We do need restructuring at WR, especially with no clear cut third receiver threat, and our two best wideouts (who have been exceptional) on the wrong side of 30. With regards to Earnest, where does this leave Caddy? Is it a fully set up RBBC next year? This week sees our annual match-up with the Great UnWashed (Who have been overtaken by the Pathetic Patriots as my most hated team) and I pray that this is one game we win handsomely. That said, with Jason Campbell’s maturity, a dangerous RBBC, and a defense to rival our own, the going could be tough – I believe however that the tough will get going, and the Bucs will win 24-13 with another defensive TD courtesy of Tanard Jackson (I’m going to keep going with this until he takes one to the house). Richard Lowe, November 2007