Bucs Beat Rams In Yet Another Non-Playoff Game

Looks like Greg White is going to get more playing time than Gaines Adams. I guess that's what two tackles and zero sacks in three games gets you. Adams better step it up.

I'm really liking Greg White and Greg Peterson on the defensive line. The whole line, for that matter, played pretty well. Sacks are still pretty scarce, though, and at some point a very good quarterback is going to exploit the lack of pressure. The Rams were injured all over their offensive line, so there should have been more penetration. But for now, it's hard to argue with results. Marc Bulger had a 35.6 QB rating.

What more can be said about the linebackers? Barrett Ruud snagged an interception and led the team in tackles. Cato June, who everyone said was soft against the run, absolutely crushed Steven Jackson for a three yard loss on a first and ten at the end of the third quarter. The resulting field goal attempt hit the right upright. It's safe to say that those three yards made a difference in that field goal attempt. Derrick Brooks also had a good game, except for that personal foul. I don't know what the announcers were talking about. Randy McMichael was clearly down.

Welcome to the team, Mr. Jermaine Phillips. Slap my ass and call me Shirley -- you actually did a complete 180 from last season where you were missed tackles and gave up all kinds of big plays. The interception was a thing of beauty and that hit on Isaac Bruce was really freakin' sweet. I don't know if Raheem Morris is making you that much better or if drafting Sabby Piscitelli just scared the shit out of you or if you've taken to injecting dinosaur DNA between your toes. Whatever it is, keep doing it.

On the other hand, Will Allen was inactive for this game. Tanard Jackson has a stranglehold on the free safety position now.

The offensive line made some major progress with their run blocking. Arron Sears is so quick and strong on pulling plays. Jeremy Trueblood also looked good. John Wade is starting to get pushed around again like he did last season. Maybe he just wears out too quickly at his age. Everyone else was pretty good, although Davin Joseph has seen better days than yesterday.

That one sack, though, was pretty ugly.

Jeff Garcia has gone three games without an interception. This time last year, Chris Simms had seven.

Did you notice how often Garcia was in the shotgun? For a formation that was banned for years, the tide seems to really have turned on the shotgun. I'm wondering if Simms or Bruce Gradkowski would have fared any better if they had had this option available to them.

Does someone want to tell me what the hell this is?

There was some kind of argument on the sideline that ended up with Michael Clayton grabbing Jon Gruden's shirt. Fuck and no. You don't touch the Chuckster, especially if you're dropping passes and fumbling. Joey Galloway might be able to get away with that shit once... maybe. I am envisioning Clayton being inactive against the Panthers.

The same questions we asked about Clayton last year, we have to ask about Cadillac Williams this year. Was he ever as good as his draft slot or was the first year just a fluke? That touchdown drive by Cadillac looked authoritative, but then came the fumble. Williams had three quarters to make 46 yards. Earnest Graham had one quarter to make 75. Graham had a 9.4 YPC average. There's no way he can keep that up, of course. But the team needs a reliable 25-carry running back that can average 4 YPC or better consistently. I'm not saying Graham is the answer. I'll still hitch my wagon to Williams, but there needs to be some (again) consistency.

Speaking of which, Michael Pittman is at 5.3 YPC for the season.

Good game, guys. And even though Carolina won yesterday, they look beatable.