Adrian Clayborn leads a great 2011 Bucs Class.

There comes a time around 5:30 on Saturday afternoon when Herm Edwards and Ron Jaworski start demonstrating types of hugs players use on the commissioner after being picked in the first round, and you look outside and see it’s absolutely beautiful out and you wonder, why am I still sitting in front of the television? I have to be honest, rounds 6 and 7 of the NFL draft aren’t all that different from watching HGTV with your spouse. You like watching someone else pick out lamp-shades and throw pillows? That’s round six and seven.

Now before someone tosses out the inevitable, “the best teams win in the late rounds” spiel, I’m aware there’s value there. Everyone is. But two points, a.) the likelihood that you do find those kinds of players late is statistically still extremely low and b.) the players being picked are largely unknown due to lack of exposure. All I’m saying is that the average NFL fan can not even name a single player or coach ASSOCIATED with Idaho and FIU, let alone who the Bucs just drafted from them.

The other problem with NFL draft coverage is it’s obviously very ratings driven. They are going to go with the best story-lines and in lieu of those, revert back to the teams with the biggest fan-bases. That’s why the 6-10 Cowboys drafted a tackle and you saw Jason Garrett fifteen times over the next few days yet the Bucs had arguably the best first two rounds of anyone and the Bucs (though not in any way ignored) didn’t get face-time until Suzy Kolber talked to Raheem Morris on day three.

So with that in mind, let’s talk some Bucs draft…

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After the unexpected thrashing of the Panthers by the Cardinals, no member of our “superior” division will have won a playoff game since the Saints did in the divisional round 2 years ago…the only division to not have a “w” in the that same timeframe.

Sure, all of our main foes finished with .500 or better records but we also had the luxury of beating up on the NFC North and AFC West (unbelievable that we went 1-3 against this shitty division). 

Very competitive? Yes. The strongest? No

We no longer control our own destiny after yesterday’s drubbing at home by the Chargers.  We must beat the Raiders at home, and the Eagles must beat the Cowboys at home, for us to be able to crawl in (like a dog that just got hit by a car that slowly crawls back to his front door) to the playoffs. 

To be able to properly express my feelings right now, I would need a punching bag, some tape, and a few hours.  I know you can’t see that, but just imagine it;  dejected, downtrodden, broken. 

Some thoughts from the event yesterday that some called a football game….

• Jeff Garcia, I can not wait until you are not our QB next year.  This will be a glorious day in my life.  Just as I wasn’t able to express before how upset I am right now, I can’t really express my jubiliation at the end of the Jeff Garcia era in Tampa.  21 of 32 for 224 and 1 TD to go along with two ill-time INT’s this week.   He looked liked the version of Jeff Garcia that makes me want to stab myself in the eye with the oldest, most rusty screwdriver I can find in my garage.   Check downs were the main target.  The few bombs that he tried to throw (one of which would have changed the course of the game) were long.   Most of the balls over the 10 yard mark were behind guys.  Horrible.  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
• After a couple early drops, Antonio Bryant had a solid game.  He could have had about 120 more yards if Jeff wasn’t 4 yards long on two go routes.  Bryant finished the day with 6 catches for 127 yards and a TD. 
• It seemed like the Chargers started every drive at about the 50.  If it wasn’t a shitty punt after a shitty drive, it was a nice return by Darren Sproles. 
• Nate Kaeding is the man.  57 yard field goal to end the first half, after a good runback by Sproles and unwatchable defense.  28 seconds it took to get in field goal range and tack on 3 more points. 
• Phillip Buchanon, you got abused all day.  Enough said. 
• Phillip Rivers was carving us up like a Christmas ham with Bobby Flay at the helm.  He finished some a gaudy 21/31 for 287 yards and 4 TD’s.    The SD receivers (Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers) will pose quite a threat for teams in the playoffs if they can get in with a win vs Denver next week.