Click Here to Watch the Video FULL size If you want to break down the biggest difference between last years Bucs and this years Bucs, you could do that with one word. IF. In 2009 we did not say the word “IF” to describe games the Bucs lost. You didn’t hear anyone including yourself say “If” only this or that happened, because the Bucs were beyond This or That being the difference in the game. This year, we can say IF 4 or 5 times for each Bucs loss in the last two months. Nevermind the New Orleans or Pittsburgh games, those contests were played against Bucs teams that didn’t have LeGarrette Blount as its runner, or Arrelious Benn at the stage of the game he is in now. That’s why you should expect no more blowout losses for years to come. Thats not to say the roster is even set; You lose a Tanard Jackson, and you find out you have a future star in Cody Grimm. Then you lose him, and Corey Lynch steps in and gets a critical pick after coming back on the field 1 play after getting an I.V.! Its too early to throw away this season, there is no reason too. The Bucs schedule is loaded with losing teams left to play, and the Bucs have beaten teams with losing records all year. At Washington, Detroit and Seattle at home round out the easy part of the Bucs schedule. Win those games like you should, and your 10-5 with a chance to match the second best record in franchise history. This after a 3 win season. A three game winning streak is by no means outside the possibility of this Bucs team. Lets look at what this team has done recently, they have finally started to turn the corner defensively and slow down opponents running game. Since the 2008 loss to Carolina where the Panthers had 300 yards rushing, the Bucs have been an ‘Ole run defense since. Not any more. Tampa Bay has shored up its run defense with the help of an improved Roy Miller and sure tackling by Cody Grimm. But Grimm wasn’t in the lineup yesterday, yet the Bucs continued their good play against the run. San Francisco was held to 71 rushing yards, Baltimore only had 92, and last night the Falcons were held to 85 yards. Thats three games holding Good running teams to under 100 yards rushing, two of the playoff teams. Another factor, last year the Bucs could not hold back stud players or teams with a potent offense. This year they ARE; Panthers Steve Smith, 49ers Frank Gore, The Ravens duo of Anquan Boldin and Ray Rice all silent; with zero TDs and no 100 yard games. Don’t look now, the defense is coming around. But if were going to look ahead to next year, if were going to ponder a post season without the Bucs, the first thing that has to come to mind is the enormous amount of talent that will now be second year players like Josh Freeman. If only half of them have even somewhat of a progression like Freeman has, this is going to be an elite team in only Raheem Morris’ third season. Benn, Mike Williams, Blount, James Lee, Ted Larson will all come back as 2nd year players wiser and better prepared for the NFL. Thats not to mention all the players the Bucs will get back from Injured reserve. Cody Grimm, Davin Joseph, Kareem Huggins, to name a few. NOTE: This video of Sammy Stroughter up top may be the best catch in Bucs history. Its a shame it wasnt for a tie or winning effort.
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