Thoughts From Buccaneers v Lions

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10 minutes into the game, this looked like the KC game all over again. We got down 17-0 quickly, but after that, really put the clamps down defensively, and began what would turn into an ass kicking. Some random thoughts from the game.

It was great to see Cadillac Williams back on the field. The guy busted his ass with physical training, and made it back onto the field while a lot of pundits were speculating that he would never play again. Surely was rust on the first play for Caddy in the game, as he caused a Jeff Garcia fumble that was subsequently taken to the house. When you don’t play for 15 months though, some gaffes are to be expected. His numbers were poor, but as I just said, he hasn’t played in 15 months.
Warrick Dunn continues to defy Father Time. He had 14 runs for 90 yards, and honestly looks more talented and spry than he has at any point throughout his career. He also contributed with 5 catches for 37 yards. When he has been asked to step up this year, he has. Another great addition by the Allen-Gruden regime that continues to get overlooked in the Bay Area.
Speaking of great additions, Antonio Bryant continued to look like Jeff Garcia’s first read throughout most of the game. He only had 4 catches for 48 yards, but Garcia initially looked his way quite often.
Once again speaking of underated additions from the Allen-Gruden regime (the same regime that according to most radio people down here, has no idea how to assemble personell), Jimmy Wilkerson contributed two sacks. That is three in two games for Jimmy, and he is quitely putting together a great season for the Bucs. He can play 3 positions on the defensive line, can pressure the QB and can stop the run. A great assett for this Bucs team.
Garcia was efficient in his 18 throws for the game. He completed 13 of them for two touchdowns. Only threw to 4 different receivers which was a season low, but with the ass kicking we were giving to the Lions at the time, and the effectiveness of our running game, we didn’t need to throw too often. The two seam passes down the middle of the field to Ike Hilliard and to Jerramy Stevens were perfect passes. Garcia has looked very good the last few weeks.
Ronde Barber finally had a big game for us. I was even starting to doubt the effectiveness of the guy at many points this season, but seemingly every time I did so, he would make a big play. Sunday he made two splash plays, one of which he took to the house.
Aqib Talib had a nice shoulder block on Ronde’s INT return to the house, a unnoticeable play to most people, but one that caught my eye as if he had gone about a little differently, it would have been a block in the back.
Clifton Smith with a punt return for a TD. Oh, wait, is this another good find by the regime that can’t put together a good roster. Yeah, I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but this roster is stacked with great additions from Allen and Gruden. Clifton Smith was an undrafted FA that has a punt return for a TD, and a kick return for a TD. It’s unfortunate we drafted Dexter Jackson to be a return man, because it looks as though we found one already.
This was the third straight come from behind victory for the Buccaneers. It seemed that in years past, we were just unable to come from behind in any games. Our offense looks a little more dynamic each week, and it shows in the scores. We wouldn’t have been able to come back from 17 and 21 point deficits to the Lions and Chiefs and come back in the 2nd half vs a great Vikings D if it weren’t for the maturation of our offense.
Huge 3 game run vs all divisional opponents upcoming. We truly control our own fate in the NFC South. We win these three, or even 2 out of 3, and we have a great chance of capturing the division and a potential bye in round one of the playoffs.
WERE 8 AND 3 AND IN 2ND PLACE IN THE NFC!!!! GO TO HELL STEVE DUEMIG!!!!