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One Win Away...
Posted 12-09-2007 at 05:31 AM by dannywest
When #7 went down in week 12 against Washington Coach Gruden called upon Bruce Gradkowski, the same man he called upon to replace Chris Simms in 2006. However, after going only 9 for 19 for 106 yards, Gruden looked elsewhere when Jeff Garcia was unable to go in week 13.
Enter Luke McCown. 29 completions, 313 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 win later Bucs' fans were left to question one thing: Why was McCown not given a shot last season?
Yet one could spend days recollecting the errors of their favorite franchise, stating what should have been done, and, still, nothing would change. Hindsight is 20/20 and the past is old news.
And while McCown's performance helped the Bucs inch closer to that division title, it also continued to prove that Tampa Bay has talent hidden in every nook and cranny. For is it not the play of those that were 'question marks' that have lead the Bucs to their current record of 8-4? Where would Tampa be without Earnest Graham, B.J. Askew, or Jerramy Stevens? Where would Tampa be without their offseason pickups of Cato June, Jeff Garcia, or Greg White? Where would Tampa be without Barrett Ruud who took over as MLB this year? And where would Tampa be without its seasoned vets like Joey Galloway, Derrick Brooks or Ronde Barber?
The answer is simple. It doesn't matter where they would be; it only matters where they are. And where the Bucs are is within one game of becoming the NFC South Division Champs for the 3rd time in five years. Where the Bucs are is within one game of going to the playoffs.
And to get there, all they must do is come away from Houston victorious. Of course, with victories from both Jacksonville and New Orleans this weekend, the Bucs will clench their playoff birth regardless of the outcome of the Houston game, but this is perhaps the last thing on the mind of the Tampa Bay players.
What they want, is a win, and that their emergence as a playoff team is credited to their outstanding showings on the field, not the poor performances of other teams.
So, what will it take for the Bucs to beat the Texans? Earnest Graham will be looking to make this his fifth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown and he will have the chance to do so against a team that has allowed 11 rushing touchdowns on the season. Graham will also be searching for his fourth 100+ yard rushing game, as he inches closer and closer to that 1000 yard rushing mark, and the good news, for Graham, for Tampa fans, is that, on average, Houston allows 122 yards rushing per game.
Galloway and company will again see the opportunity to put up some serious numbers as they go up against a secondary that has been, statistically, bad. The Texans have allowed 17 touchdown completions and have seen a 20+ yard gain 36 times this season. Look for Galloway and Garcia to be fantasy standouts this week.
And while the Texans' ground attack has been a non-factor all season long, calling their passing game noteworthy would be an understatement. Their 17 thrown touchdowns may not be something to brag about, but only 5 teams can boast about tallying more yards through the air than the Texans 3012. But these are the numbers of Matt Schaub, who can account for 2241 yards and 9 touchdowns, and Schaub will not be behind center against the Bucs and instead Sage Rosenfels will try to beat the original Tampa 2.
Rosenfels may not be among the elite in the NFL, but one can not easily write him off. In just 5 games this season, Rosenfels has thrown for 914 yards and 8 touchdowns. Yet, Rosenfels can be pressured into making mistakes. And, provided that Tampa keeps Andre Johnson in check, if Monty Kiffin let's loose Gaines Adams and Greg White, Tampa will be able to control Houston's passing attack, and thus control the game.
And if they do this, the men in pewter pants will be in the playoffs, no questions asked.
Enter Luke McCown. 29 completions, 313 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 win later Bucs' fans were left to question one thing: Why was McCown not given a shot last season?
Yet one could spend days recollecting the errors of their favorite franchise, stating what should have been done, and, still, nothing would change. Hindsight is 20/20 and the past is old news.
And while McCown's performance helped the Bucs inch closer to that division title, it also continued to prove that Tampa Bay has talent hidden in every nook and cranny. For is it not the play of those that were 'question marks' that have lead the Bucs to their current record of 8-4? Where would Tampa be without Earnest Graham, B.J. Askew, or Jerramy Stevens? Where would Tampa be without their offseason pickups of Cato June, Jeff Garcia, or Greg White? Where would Tampa be without Barrett Ruud who took over as MLB this year? And where would Tampa be without its seasoned vets like Joey Galloway, Derrick Brooks or Ronde Barber?
The answer is simple. It doesn't matter where they would be; it only matters where they are. And where the Bucs are is within one game of becoming the NFC South Division Champs for the 3rd time in five years. Where the Bucs are is within one game of going to the playoffs.
And to get there, all they must do is come away from Houston victorious. Of course, with victories from both Jacksonville and New Orleans this weekend, the Bucs will clench their playoff birth regardless of the outcome of the Houston game, but this is perhaps the last thing on the mind of the Tampa Bay players.
What they want, is a win, and that their emergence as a playoff team is credited to their outstanding showings on the field, not the poor performances of other teams.
So, what will it take for the Bucs to beat the Texans? Earnest Graham will be looking to make this his fifth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown and he will have the chance to do so against a team that has allowed 11 rushing touchdowns on the season. Graham will also be searching for his fourth 100+ yard rushing game, as he inches closer and closer to that 1000 yard rushing mark, and the good news, for Graham, for Tampa fans, is that, on average, Houston allows 122 yards rushing per game.
Galloway and company will again see the opportunity to put up some serious numbers as they go up against a secondary that has been, statistically, bad. The Texans have allowed 17 touchdown completions and have seen a 20+ yard gain 36 times this season. Look for Galloway and Garcia to be fantasy standouts this week.
And while the Texans' ground attack has been a non-factor all season long, calling their passing game noteworthy would be an understatement. Their 17 thrown touchdowns may not be something to brag about, but only 5 teams can boast about tallying more yards through the air than the Texans 3012. But these are the numbers of Matt Schaub, who can account for 2241 yards and 9 touchdowns, and Schaub will not be behind center against the Bucs and instead Sage Rosenfels will try to beat the original Tampa 2.
Rosenfels may not be among the elite in the NFL, but one can not easily write him off. In just 5 games this season, Rosenfels has thrown for 914 yards and 8 touchdowns. Yet, Rosenfels can be pressured into making mistakes. And, provided that Tampa keeps Andre Johnson in check, if Monty Kiffin let's loose Gaines Adams and Greg White, Tampa will be able to control Houston's passing attack, and thus control the game.
And if they do this, the men in pewter pants will be in the playoffs, no questions asked.
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