You Made the Wrong Choice, Coach

With 10:24 left in the first quarter after having Earnest Graham stuffed twice on runs up the middle, Coach Gruden told the team to go for it on 4^th and 2 and you could see the disappointment on his face as Graham was stuffed in the backfield again. Now as a fan, I have to question that call, we are in field goal range, I mean, if it was just past the 50 in Houston territory, than yeah, I’m going to think about going for it. The Buccaneers were in field goal range, it was a bad call and if Gruden could do it over again, I guarantee he kicks the field goal as this was an important turning point in the game as Houston drove down the field and scored on a little 4 yard dump off to Andre Johnson.

Tampa Bay came into Sunday’s game against Houston looking to clinch their second NFC South Championship, but was disappointed by a high powered Texan offense. They can still however clinch if New Orleans miraculously loses to Atlanta tonight, which with the way this NFL season has gone, anything is possible:

Galloway Guarded.
Joey Galloway finished the game with 6 catches for 87 yards with most of them coming in the fourth quarter as the Texans defense backed off and refused to give up the big play. Galloway was open on way play but McCown threw the ball about half a yard to far out in front of him and Galloway couldn’t make the catch which would have been a touchdown.

Running Earnest.
Earnest Graham continues to impress at the running back position after taking over for Williams and Pitman. Graham turned in his fifth straight game with at least a touchdown and over 50 yards on the ground. This is exactly what The Buccaneers needed heading down the stretch. This Sunday they play a Atlanta team who have pretty much given up on their season so he should have another big game.

White’s Hat Trick.
Greg White came into Sunday’s game with five and a half sacks and he left with eight and half sacks. White also forced two fumbles. White is a veteran rookie this year. He was drafted but didn’t make any teams. He has spent the last couple of years in the arena league playing for near by Orlando and John Gruden’s younger brother, Jay Gruden. White could very well win defensive rookie of the year as he has 8 sacks and 6 forced fumbles.

2005 All Over Again.
The Buccaneers beat New Orleans at home in the last game of the season in 2005 to clinch their second NFC South Championship. They have swept New Orleans this year, but if New Orleans keeps on their winning ways, Tampa Bay may have to beat Carolina on New Years Day in order to clinch. Hopefully New Orleans will lose tonight and we won’t have to worry.

Interesting Fact.
Atlanta visits this Tampa this Sunday and with a win the Buccaneers get ever so close to sweeping their division. Last year the division swept the Buccaneers, but as we all know who ever finishes last in the division, usually finishes first the following year and since 2002, the NFC Championship games has had a NFC South team in it.

One last thought, this is the last week for pro bowl votes so all you Buccaneer fans, get your tails over to the NFL site and vote non stop for your Buccaneer players such as Barber, Rudd, and Garcia…oh…and don’t forget about Graham.