Blueprint for a Winner-How the Bucs are getting it done

[Schaddy]

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/buccaneersWORD.gif


Heading into 2005-06, most people were expecting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be little more than a talented defensive team struggling on offense and just trying to hover around the .500 mark. Well, as we’re seeing, when a team plays the right way, good results are soon to follow.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) Jon Gruden is no longer the darling of the NFL. He’s not “Chucky” on commercials. If anything, people had been losing respect for Gruden heading into this season. He doesn’t have a top quarterback; he needs a top quarterback for his system, they said. Well, through four games, Gruden has pushed just the right buttons and pulled the exact right levers.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) Brian Griese is playing well; he’s not becoming a star, but he’s doing enough to get the win. With a rating of 78.2 and six interceptions, Griese is not a Pro Bowl candidate. He is, however, completing almost 63 % of his passes, and he has made plays when he’s had to, both with his feet and arm.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) The receivers have been similar to Griese, not spectacular, but doing enough to get the job done. Michael Clayton has been the focus of opposing defenses, but is still making an impact, while Joey Galloway has taken advantage of the double teams on Clayton to the tune of three touchdowns and an 18.6 avg per reception. Alex Smith has added another dimension as a solid receiver at tight end.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) The offensive line, considered a major weakness heading into the year, hasn’t been awesome, but has gotten the job done. The Bucs have had the same five players start each game so far this season, and they’ve been very solid in the run game while keeping Griese clean as well.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) Defense, ah, the heart of the Bus. Like usual, Simeon Rice is terrorizing opposing quarterbacks to the tune of three sacks in the first four games. Greg Spires and Dwayne White have provided solid, consistent play at the other end spot, while Anthony McFarland and the rejuvenated Chris Hovan have been a solid duo inside.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) Derrick Brooks, well, he’s still Derrick Brooks. Shelton Quarles continues to plug along in the middle, and Ryan Nece has been surprisingly solid at the other outside ‘backer.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) Brian Kelly already has three interceptions, and Ronde Barber remains one of the best cover corners in the game. Safety was a question mark before week one, but Will Allen, Dexter Jackson and Jermaine Phillips have provided consistent play. About the biggest complaint the Bucs can have so far is the play of nickel back Juran Bolden.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) And then, of course, there’s the Cadillac. Carnell Williams, the rookie running back, would probably be the league’s MVP if the season ended right now. In four games (including week four in which he hardly played in the second half), the Cadillac has rumbled for 447 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s carried 99 times through four games, and is proving a workhorse for the upstart Bucs. Michael Pittman and Mike Alstott, lest we forget, have provided very solid change of pace.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/bucsbutton.jpg (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=185&c=19) So what other teams take from the Bucs? The same things that they could take from the 2002-03 Baltimore Ravens. Or last year’s Atlanta Falcons. What do you need to win? Good defense, toughness, a solid running game, smart coaching, and guys who make plays when they have to. That’s what’s worked in the past, and what’s working now as well. That’s the blueprint for a winner.

[Sascha]

Coaching, coaching, coaching! Add to that some good coaching, and you have yourself a pretty good team. The Bucs of the last two years did not have very good records. Was that Jon Gruden's fault? I say, emphatically and resoundingly, NO! The Bucs were in a salary cap hell that few teams have ever seen. And because of Gruden, the Bucs won as many games as they did. And had Martin Gramatica not gone the way of Rick Ankiel (great reference, huh?) the Bucs would have been around 8-8 last year.

So, let's compare, shall we? Mike Tice in Minnesota has talent on top of talent. One of the best QB's in the league, a receiving core that included Randy Moss, now still features solid if unspectactular players, and a running game that could be matched by few. Gruden in Tampa features a twice refried QB, a couple of older receiving castoffs to go with the phenomenal Michael Clayton and about 86 rookies, not to mention a rookie halfback behind a line pieced together. Sounds like the recipe for one coach to go 4-0 and one to go 1-3. Funny how things aren't what they appear, huh?

Jon Gruden is among the five best coaches in the league (Belichick, Cowher and Dungy are three others) and offensively, I would not rank any above him. The Bucs are lucky to have Coach Jon Gruden, and the price they paid to the Raiders for him was a small one to pay in the long run, as I see more years of being in the upper echelon of teams. And, Gruden was smart enough to from the get-go keep Monte Kiffin, every bit his defensive equal, from Dungy's team.

[Chicky]

GO BUCS!! Imagine how well they could be doing if some of those goods were replaced by great!

[ddrayder]

TB is definately playing better but the Bucs oppenents are a combined 2-9...

Greise also looked good in Denver for a time...the Raiders East have had a rather easy schedule so far, and the cold weather has not hit yet...

GL the rest of the way, but the schedule is getting tougher each week after the Jets...

[Sascha]

True, but the schedule isn't getting much tougher. 2 against underachieving Carolina (should at least split), 2 against Atlanta (should split), 2 against New Orleans (should sweep, probably split), Jets (win), Dolphins (should win), Patriots (could win), Redskins (should win), 49ers (win), Bears (should win). So I think at the very worst we'll be around 11-5 (7-5 over final 12).

[Guy On Couch]

I think your a little to over confident in them. I doubt they'll split with Atlanta, I think Atlanta will sweep and New England should win unless Tampa pulls something outa there asses for that game.

[ancatdubh]

Great article, with a lot of food for thought. I did not realize Griese had that many INT's. and hasn't really faced a tough defense. He plays against one of the best defenses in the league in practice; shouldn't this make him better than a 62%? Fans, do you think it has been more Griese or the WR's? I haven't seen anything but highlights.

another thought on the thread: I do agree that TB could very well sweep the Falcons. TB's defense plays amazingly well when Vick is on the field. I think we'll have to wait and see what kind of showing the Saints will do in their "home" stadium to decide the outcome of the series. (They do play in Texas, right?)The panthers are always tough. I have watched some disappointing games when they have crushed the Bucs at pivotal times during the season.

Skins, Pats, and Fins have incredible defenses. Griese and Co. will have to play mistake free football. I am very concerned about the caddy injury. We don't really want to hear his hamstring is bothering him; a nagging injury, to say the least.

I'd like to end this by saying that TB fans need to unite and give more recognition to Monte; the heart and soul of the defense. Football fans everyone have had to give praise to the TB unit for years because of this man...no matter the season record. The players have always given credit to him, but we rarely do?? Maybe TheUnderDog could start a "Monte" fan club to join Caddy?

Onward to Division Champs...Go Bucs!!!

[Sascha]

I think your a little to over confident in them. I doubt they'll split with Atlanta, I think Atlanta will sweep and New England should win unless Tampa pulls something outa there asses for that game.

And what, based on previous results, makes you so confident that Atlanta sweeps the Bucs?