Not exactly murderers’ row

NFL coaches and players are very wary of looking too far down the road where the schedule is concerned. But that doesn't prevent us from taking a peek.

The loss of the Cowboys' Tony Romo means Sunday's contest could be the start of an interesting span of games for Tampa Bay. Looking at the Bucs' schedule and the quarterbacks they'll face in the coming weeks, moves resulting from injuries or poor play mean they won't face a full-fledged starter until playing the Saints and Drew Brees on Nov. 30.

Consider: they Brad Johnson under center for the Cowboys on Sunday. Next week (Nov. 2), the Chiefs will trot out either Damon Huard or Tyler Thigpen, a second-year player out of Coastal Carolina. After the bye week, the Bucs will get a look at Gus Frerotte in Minnesota, a 37-year-old who is playing only because Tarvaris Jackson couldn't hold his own. And, finally, the Bucs on Nov. 23 will be up against Detriot's Dan Orlovsky (who?) now that Jon Kitna is out for the season.

If you're a Bucs fan, that lineup probably doesn't put a lot of fear in your heart. As long as the Bucs can keep their own quarterback healthy, it would appear the football gods are smiling on them these days.