What a time it is to live in the Tampa Bay Area. We have the Tampa Bay Rays, all but in the World Series, we are hosting a little game called the Super Bowl this year, and the Buccaneers sitting atop the NFC South standings at 4-2. There are 2 teams that are 4-2, but we have beaten both teams, so in my book, that puts us on top.

One of the teams with a now 4-2 record, is the Carolina Panthers. If you did not watch the game, you missed one of the best Bucs games in recent years. Well the game wasn’t really that good, but for a Bucs fan, it was great as we destroyed the Panthers 34-3. I have to give credit when credit is due. Much respect to head coach Jon Gruden. Last weeks game plan couldn’t have been better. We pounded the run down their throats, threw passes where we wanted, and our defense was extremely impressive. Every facet of the game was well executed.

Another man that deserves respect is Earnest Graham. We lost both fullbacks to injury, which left us in a hole against a good defense. But don’t fret, Graham stepped in and went from running between the tackles, to setting up beautiful blocks as a fullback for #2 running back Warrick Dunn. Dunn carried for 115 yard on 20 carries for a 5.2 ypc average. Mr. Dunn, buy Mr. Graham a steak dinner, you owe him for opening the lanes for you.

Another part of our great play was at the20QB position. Jeff Garcia got his 1st start since week 1, and while he did not light up the stat line. He was very accurate, completing 75% of his passes for 173 yards and 1 touchdown. The most important stats were 0 interceptions and 0 sacks. Welcome back from the Gruden doghouse and were are glad to have you back. Nothing against Griese, who did a good job in the games he played, but Garcia seems to be a better fit for our offense.

Defense wins championships, right? Well we have a great one that looked their best versus the potent Carolina offense. Matter of fact, they couldn’t do anything against us. We stopped one of the NFL’s best running attacks to only 40 yards. No that is not a type-o, 40 yards. We also intercepted 3 passes of Jake Delhomme. Most importantly, they only scored 3 points as we teed off on them with big hit’s a plenty.

This week we square up against the 1-4 Seattle Seahawks. They are struggling to make it through the season, with next to all their key players injured. This week they will also be without QB Matt Hasselbeck. Filling in will be Seneca Wallace. The only thing about Wallace that concerns me is his mobility. Other than that, we should continue to move forward to 5-2, as it is hard to pick against the Bucs this week. I have learned never to count out anyone on any given Sunday, so I’m going to give us a 99% percent chance of winning this game. There is still that lonely 1%, but20I think it too is injured along with the rest of Seattle’s team. Tune in at 8:15pm this Sunday.

See you next week,

Steve Fritch

SteveF@getinmagazine.com