We’ll be lonely this Christmas… As the sole NFC South representatives in the post-season, barring a collapse of Leeds Utd proportions, it’s time for the Buccaneers to see if they can win out (Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco and Carolina is quite possibly the easiest final slate, at least on paper) reaching the 12-4 record that they set only five years ago, winning eight on the bounce. At the season's start, I had the Bucs down at an optimistic 9-7, finishing second to the Saints at 10-6. I was labelled crackers, and apparently wearing rose-tinted glasses. Similarly, about a month ago a poll was on the forums, and I had the Bucs down for a 10-6 finish – again, in the minority. It looks more and more like both of these are going to be LESS than our finishing record, which I am boldly going with an 11-5 finish, and a loss to Carolina on the final day (Sorry Lee). Past this? Who knows, it’s looking like we’ll be 3rd seeds in the NFC (Behind Dallas and Green Bay, ahead of Seattle) meaning a home tie in Wildcard Weekend, against the Lions, Vikings or Cardinals as it currently stands – clearly with the Vikes being on a surge I don’t particularly want them. I’m getting ahead of myself! LAST WEEK @ The New Orleans Saints. Backup Centre, Backup QB, Backup RB, Backup FB – and a 27-23 victory. Luke McCown – please don’t have a lightsabre incident, we NEED your right arm! (Darth, take Bruce instead) Where did that QB play come from? NFL Watch If Pittsburgh win, I’m wearing a Steelers jersey to the FFL Draft – black and gold works apparently well with Penis… Let’s hear it for my AFC boys, the Buffalo Bills – sure, making a 20 yard gain on the opening play when the Skins had 10 players in body, and 11 players in spirit on the field was probably a bit awkward, and they may have been gifted a gimme field goal that our esteemed editor has made in the past by their haggard Coach, but they came up trumps! Onwards Marmite Soliders! Yet more season ending injuries, with Schaub and Roy Williams of the Detroit Kitty-Kats saying ciau to 2007. Is this season an anomaly, or is there something in the water stateside? Kudos to Paul Stewart for his new radio gig – perfect to listen to over breakfast on Thursday morning repeats! Finally, there’s a thread on the message board discussing how long people have been a Buc fan, with the UK contingent being led at 25 years, all the way down to 3 and a bit (with muggins being one of those) 4 years as a Buc fan this January, I’ve had a 5-11, 11-5, 4-12, and another 11-5 on the way – gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure! Well, clearly the Pre-season, but it was interesting to hear Coach Gruden on Monday, saying that Bruce is the game-day backup, because he has 11 games starting experience and wouldn’t desperately need practice snaps as much as McCown, but with a week of receiving 1st team reps, Luke is our 2nd string QB, which I think comes as a huge relief to all Bucs fans! Sure, he gave up a safety and there was a moment of confusion with Joey G, but 15 consecutive passes to open the game is outstanding for any QB, let alone someone who’s not started since 2004. Earnest Graham – better than Caddy? Or have the offensive line gelled more since he went down to IR? The fact that Sunday saw Mr August (I wonder if he was Mr August on the Bucs Calendar…?) running over and over to the 2nd year side of the line, with Messers Trueblood – unsung hero of the season? – and Joseph, and consistently gaining over 100 all-purpose yards throughout the season, spells the end of Caddy’s dream of being an all-down back. Matt Lehr – backup centre at the death, and no problems at all with the snap? Simple and effective, just what you need from a centre. BJ Askew – Gruden’s starting claiming (as have others) that he should go to the Pro-Bowl – I’ve seen nothing to suggest otherwise. As a blocker, he’s been magnificent – sorry to all you loyalists, but he’s MUCH better than A-Train has been for a few years now. As a receiving full-back, better than #40 has ever been. As a carrier? Jury’s still out, especially seeing as he’s not had many carries. Our tight-ends – after an apparent age of whinging by them to receive more passes, it shows that it’s worth it! Alex Smith has received the bulk of passes in recent weeks, and is generally considered to be a regular TD-Threat in the making, but this Sunday saw Anthony Becht score his first INTENDED TD for the Bucs (last season it was a lucky bounce), and Jeremy Stevens score his first also. With a 6”7 TE going up against a 5”8 corner, I think it’s same to assume the end was never in doubt, provided Luke threw it on the money, which he did. Our defense gave up a couple of plays, but aside from this was fantastic. I’ve read in several places that our D is amongst the most opportunistic in the league – I agree, although I’d love for them to make their own turnovers rather than relying on offensive mistakes. Asking too much? Not really, I believe in our D, and as I’ve said, can see them working their way towards 2002 standards. THIS WEEK @ The Houston Texans. Matt Schaub is out, and having Sage as a QB is hardly a worry – that said, add in a bit of onion and we’d be cooked (Boom! Boom! I’ll get my coat). Seriously though, without the player who’s taken them to the promised land, on the brink of a winning season, I can’t see the Texans winning this. Our run D is efficient, and as long as Andre the Giant is covered, I can see us holding the Oilers (typo) to field goals, with Graham, Galloway, Smith and Hilliard coming up trumps, with a 34-9 blowout. Richard Lowe, December 2007