Hello again everyone. Well, last week was a rather disappointing loss. Much credit should be given to a badly ranked Denver defense that stepped up and did their jobs well last Sunday. However, we deserve a lot of credit for stopping the Broncos like we did. This game looked to be a shootout before the game started, but was rather a defensive war. The offense on both teams was there, but both defenses stood tall in key situations.     

There is one thing though that I do not understand. Why are we throwing the ball so much? We have Earnest Graham, who averaged 5.9 yards per carry, and Warrick Dunn, who averaged 6.7 yards per carry in the game. Denver had a hard time stopping our running game, but we seemed much more likely to throw on 1st down, which left us in a lot of 3rd and longs. We Bucs are known for pounding the rock, but we are not, which baffles me. I understand if our running game was not working, but it is. Things that make you go hmmm.

Anyhow, next up, the Carolina Panthers. They are going for a 5 game winning streak. They currently sit atop the NFC South at 4-1 and are looking rather dominating. Their running game of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are leading the charge. But don’t key on stopping the run, because they also have Steve Smith and Mushin Muhammed on the flanks with Jake Delhomme at the helm. Also, their defense is playing very smash mouth football and giving teams a very hard time in pressure situations. All in all they are a very solid football team with few holes to slip through. We have to bring our best game to beat them.

There are a couple concerns for us though. Antonio Bryant has done a good job filling in for injured Joey Galloway, but we need a consistent go to guy to take the reins of the number 2 receiver. We have seen good things from Michael Clayton and Ike Hilliard, but neither leap out as a force to be reckoned with as in our Super Bowl year like the tandem of Keenan McCardell and Keyshawn Johnson. We miss Joey, but he looks to be out for a little longer recovering from multiple nagging injuries.     

Another concern is, whose playing quarterback this weekend? Brian Griese got knocked out of last weeks game and looked a little gun shy on throwing some of the passes. Jeff Garcia stepped in late in the game and led our only touchdown drive, but never was able to get back on the field to lead us to victory. Griese is not fully recovered and Jeff is ready to go, but neither have gotten the official nod from coach Gruden yet. Personally, I think in this matchup, Garcia gives us the best chance to win. He’s healthy, hungry, and the more mobile option. Judging from the way the Panthers have looked so far, our QB looks to be on the move for most of the game and Garcia has proven that he thrives in out of the pocket situations. As long as he can keep his  throws accurate, I think he’s the better bet.    

I might sound a little glum about this matchup, but believe me we can win this game. I can’t guarantee a win, but then again, I can’t guarantee a loss either. This is a going to be a great game between 2 division rivals. And remember, we are playing at Raymond James this week. Tune in at 1pm on Sunday to see how this one pans out.

See you next week,

Steve Fritch

SteveF@getinmagazine.com