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Last Updated: Sunday, 07-06-08 1:06 pm PDT

Bucs Snubbed From Pro-Bowl - (12/18)

In other news, the Bucs were snubbed by the voters. Barber, Brooks, Ruud, Jackson, Garcia, and Galloway were all snubbed, despite the fact that they all could have been in it. Brooks probably had the least case, as the splash plays haven't been there, even though he's been racking up tackles left and right. Ruud, who was the league's leading tackler for most of the season, just didn't get the love, despite the fact that he's forced several fumbles, defensed 3 passes and picked off two. Ruud should have been in. Barber should always get the nod, but didn't. Jackson is a rookie so I can understand him not getting the nod, but he has defensed 13 passes with 2 picks. Garcia's been the heart and soul of the offense, but it was apparently not enough to convince voters. And Galloway keeps getting passed over, though the field is pretty deep with some big time receivers in the NFC. Oh well. Maybe Barber will have some things to say on the field going forward like when he got snubbed in 2002. His infamous "Pro-Bowl my ass! I'm going to the Super Bowl!" quote would be great to hear again.

NFC South Belongs To Tampa - (12/18)

Tampa Bay just took a 37-3 lead and it is safe to say the Bucs are going to win the NFC South title. This is a team that was 4-12 last season, but rebounded to win a division crown and clinch a playoff berth. Now it is time for…

More Food For Thought - (12/18)

Tampa Bay just took a 30-3 lead after K Matt Bryant’s 34-yard field goal attempt with 4:08 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Tampa Bay will make the playoffs and need healthy bodies. How much longer should the starters play before Jon Gruden pulls them?

Can The Bucs D Do It? - (12/18)

The only suspense left right now is can Tampa Bay’s defense not give up a touchdown? Tampa Bay has a 27-3 lead, but do you think the Bucs can limit Atlanta to just field goals?

Bucs Can Cruise Control - (12/18)

Tampa Bay has no need to do anything crazy. Atlanta has pretty much lost its desire. Tampa Bay can put this game on cruise control and start looking forward to the NFC South Championship.

Greg White Ties Team Record - (12/18)

Bucs DE Greg White just caused his seventh fumble this season, tying a team record held by Broderick Thomas (1991) and Wally Chambers (1979).

Graham Sets Team Record - (12/18)

Tampa Bay RB Earnest Graham just rushed for his sixth consecutive TD, setting a new team record for most consecutive games with a TD. Graham currently has 10 TDs this season, which is tied for fourth in team history.

Haye Makes 4th Fumble Recovery - (12/18)

Bucs DE Jovan Haye has recovered his fourth fumble of the season. The record for most fumble recoveries is five and set by Bill Kollar in 1979.

Tampa Bay?s Passing Game - (12/18)

QB Jeff Garcia has completed 6-of-11 passes for 50 yards, but RB Earnest Graham is the leading receiver with two catches for 17 yards. Tampa Bay’s receivers seem to be struggling catching the ball.

What Is Really Impressive - (12/18)

Tampa Bay has a 17-3 lead, but one score was on Ronde Barber’s interception return and another on Micheal Spurlock’s kickoff return. That is 14 points not generated by the offense. 

Spurlock Finally Makes History - (12/18)

History was finally made. Yes, you were finally able to witness Tampa Bay finally take back a kickoff back for a touchdown. Bucs WR Micheal Spurlock just took a kickoff back 90-yards for a touchdown in the first quarterback around 1:30 p.m. on…

Bucs shut out at Pro Bowl - (12/18)

Pro Bowl rosters coming later - (12/18)

Stingy defense - (12/18)

Gruden weighs rest vs. momentum - (12/18)

Stats galore for Barber - (12/18)

Reality hasn't hit Spurlock - (12/18)

Third seed still within reach - (12/18)

Going for the crown - (12/18)

Special teams decisions coming - (12/18)

Pro Bowl announcement next week - (12/18)

Cadillac says 9-12 months - (12/18)

Bucs Historic In 37-3 Blow Out! - (12/18)

With all the crap going on with my house construction winding down, it's a miracle I've found the time to sit down and write this. But dang it...it's about frickin' time because that win was historic on a number of fronts. Several historic notes include Graham getting a TD in 6 straight games, setting the franchise mark; Gruden getting the Bucs to their third Division title in 6 years (3 in the prior 26 years); Barber getting his 33rd interception, and for a TD; the Bucs going 5-0 in the Division, setting up a chance to go undefeated in their Division for the first time ever; the defense stopping an opponent from converting any third downs for the first time; and something about some kick return for a TD, or something along those lines. On Offense, the Bucs were up 14-3 before the Bucs offense had even started their second series. Then went up 17-3. Garcia, who apparently was still suffering from a cold or flu, had a pedestrian day as the Bucs ran the ball 48 times versus 25 pass attempts. The Bucs racked up 190 yards rushing, which meant that Garcia didn't have to pass that often, which is good, because Galloway had some drops, and Garcia got picked off once with a lazy intermediate throw toward Galloway on the sideline. Garcia finished 15 of 25 for 109 yards a TD and an INT. Graham finished with 119 total yards, 79 on the ground at 3.6 per rush. He didn't break off the customary long run that could have put him over 100 yards again, but he was effective. Pittman and Bennett came in and both looked fresh and explosive, though Pittman continues to plow into his blockers. Pittman finished with 50 yards on 13 carries (3.8ypc) while Bennett finished with 63 yards on 9 carries (7.0ypc). Bennett made some nice explosive runs that left no doubt that he can run the ball consistently. If he can get his blitz pick-up and pass blocking down, he may see the field more often the next two weeks as the Bucs want to take some of the load of Graham to let him rest a little. The offense finished the day scoring 23 points, which, in and of itself, was enough to blow out the Falcons. The offensive line played very well, with both sacks being more coverage sacks than mistakes by the line. A solid day overall for all, though they still need to work on the redzone offense. On Defense, the Bucs managed to have a stellar day shutting the Falcons down. It started when Redman's third down pass attempt got picked off by Ronde and taken back for 6 points. That got the Bucs up early, and they would never look back. Though they allowed the Falcons to take the next possession down the field for a field goal, the Falcons would never threaten again. The Bucs managed to keep the Falcons from converting any third downs (0-9), a first, which helped them hold the Falcons to a grand total of just 133 yards. That included 106 on the ground, and just 27 through the air. The Bucs had some issues with Norwood early, but tightened up on him later in the game. He finished with 73 yards on 9 carries. Dunn was held in check again to just 32 yards rushing. The Bucs managed to get a sack in the game with Adams forcing a fumble. Later Phillips would pick off a pass, and White would force Dunn to fumble. Ruud also forced a fumble, but Atlanta recovered that one. The Bucs managed to keep getting Atlanta off the field and kept them to only 17 minutes of possession time. On Special Teams, something very special happened. For the first time in Bucs history, a kick was returned for a TD. Michael Spurlock will be forever memorized alongside Vernon Turner who returned the first punt for a TD back in 1994 against the Lions. The instant he broke past the main line of tacklers, I hoped right out of my seat and started yelling, which turned into unbridled, totally ecstatic happiness. It was an unbelievable moment, and it was the loudest I had ever heard the crowd at Ray Jay. That moment managed to put us up 14-3 and the Falcons were pretty much done at that point. The rest of the Special Teams play, which was stellar for the most part, including Bryant's 3 FG's, is all a blurry "who cares?" type of thing. I mean...really...they returned a kick for a TD!! That alone is worth a ton of goodwill! Coaching was very strong in this game. The offense, worked just enough early on to run the score up at the start of the second quarter. Once that happened, seeing the Falcons were already defeated, Gruden just pounded them with the running game, mixing in an occasional pass attempt to throw them off. The offense took advantage of field position and put up 23 points, none of which they even really needed. Monte's defense was spectacular, and just shut down the Falcons' offense. They had some success with some nice runs, but that was it. The Falcons could barely muster a threat, and were forced to punt often, or had the ball taken away. Bisaccia may have gotten himself an extension after that miraculous display of TD production from the kick return unit. That kick is a moment that few people, if any, will ever forget. Overall, the Bucs came into this game ready to play and well coached to deal with an inferior Falcons team. They beat the snot out of them, and managed to draw anger from the Falcons prompting the crowd to yell "losers!" after a little scuffle near the endzone. The Bucs also wrapped up their Division and a playoff spot. Outstanding work boys!

Who Is Michael Spurlock? - (12/18)

Gameday: Falcons @ Bucs - (12/18)

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