I’m following the format Rick Stroud from the St Pete Times used, but asking five additional questions he did not. Also, check out Roy Cummings’ blog for the latest from Orlando.
6. Will Boston make the roster?
If Boston is going to make the team he will have to beat out Ike Hilliard and Edell Shepherd. Boston’s chances largely hinge on whether Gruden considers him a third or fourth receiver. If it’s the former then Boston is competing against Hilliard’s experience with the Bucs offense. If it’s the latter Boston, who is still recovering from injuries, will be expected to play special teams…and his expose himself to more opportunities to get re-injured.
Prediction: As of right now, I’m leaning towards Boston not making it out of training camp.
7. Who will win the punt return job?
Mark Jones is the favorite but there is a chance rookie cornerback Justin Phinisee could take over punt return duties. Jones stepped into the job last season and performed admirably. Phinisee averaged 11.6 yards last year as the primary punt return man for Oregon, and also racked up a return touchdown.
Prediction: I don’t know but if Phinisee wins out and Jones gets cut then that opens up an additional receiver spot…possibly for Boston or Hilliard.
8. Does Alex Smith move ahead of Anthony Becht on the depth chart?
Smith was on fire right out of the gates with two touchdowns in his first game, but then went without a touchdown for the rest of the season. With the Bucs pass blocking woes last season the tight ends were kept on the line during passing downs to help protect the quarterback. Which meant Becht, the more proven blocker, saw more playing time.
Prediction: Smith, who caught more passes (41 to Becht’s 16), will move ahead of Becht.
9. Who will win the nickel cornerback job?
This is essentially a battle between Juran Bolden and Alan Zemaitis. Bolden held the job last season, while rookie Zemaitis is the future.
Prediction: Bolden holds onto the position for at least another season.
10. Will this training camp see a youth movement in the Bucs defense?
I’ll have more on this subject later in training camp but the Bucs more competitive training camp battles on the defensive side of the ball are between young guys and established veterans. Shelton Quarles vs. Barrett Ruud. Greg Spires vs DeWayne White. Bolden vs. Zemaitis. Kiffin’s defense has lost key players and still played exceptionally well but Kiffin has a new challenge on his hands, breaking in young players and two new defensive coaches.
Prediction: The youth movement won’t come until next season, although we are likely to see some of the younger guys get more playing time as the season progresses.
2006-07-27
Draft Pick Update
Bucs sign Jeremy Trueblood.
With the deadline to report to camp just minutes away, the Bucs still have three unsigned draft picks. Davin Joseph, Maurice Stovall and sixth round tightend T.J. Williams. Joseph and Stovall have zero leverage so I would not be surprised if their contracts are finalized shortly. Also, it will be interesting to see what the Bucs do with Williams, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
UPDATE: All reports are that Bruce Allen is close to a deal with Joseph's agent. Which leaves the question, how far along are the Stovall contract negotiations?
UPDATE #2: Bucs sign Joseph. Still no word on Stovall.
UPDATE #3: Stovall signs contract. And it appears there are no holdouts going into camp.
With the deadline to report to camp just minutes away, the Bucs still have three unsigned draft picks. Davin Joseph, Maurice Stovall and sixth round tightend T.J. Williams. Joseph and Stovall have zero leverage so I would not be surprised if their contracts are finalized shortly. Also, it will be interesting to see what the Bucs do with Williams, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
UPDATE: All reports are that Bruce Allen is close to a deal with Joseph's agent. Which leaves the question, how far along are the Stovall contract negotiations?
UPDATE #2: Bucs sign Joseph. Still no word on Stovall.
UPDATE #3: Stovall signs contract. And it appears there are no holdouts going into camp.
2006-07-26
More on the new digs
The Glazers have been all Mission Impossible (for your eyes only) about the new training facility, to the point where they have banned the media from taking pictures of it. But that didn't prevent Tampa Bay It should come as no surprise that the workaholic Gruden has a shower in his office. What should scare you is that the shower overlooks the practice field. Plenty of other good stuff in the article so check it out.
(big tip of the hat to Bolts Mag)
Distracted
Today's cheerleader(s) of the week comes courtesy of Michael Clayton's Celebrity Hoop Jam. Could someone explain the appeal of this event to me? I love me some basketball but I don't get why you would shell out 50 bucks to watch NFL guys miss wide open shots and dribble off their own feet?
Anyway, some random facts from the Hoop Jam...
- Chris Simms was the only player with his shirt tucked in. Chris Simms is also very white.
- Nickelback Juran Bolden is a cherrypicker. This fact puts any respect I had for Bolden in jeopardy.
- The game was decided in a soccer style three point shootout with (surprise!) Clayton winning it.
Draft Pick Update
Zemaitis signed.
That leaves four out of the Bucs ten draft picks unsigned including the first three, Joseph, Trueblood and Stovall.
That leaves four out of the Bucs ten draft picks unsigned including the first three, Joseph, Trueblood and Stovall.
2006-07-25
Great, another Bucs blog
Just what the intraweb needs another Bucs blog and this one hosted by the Tribune to boot. Which I’m sure means said blog will be more family friendly than Disney World on prozac.
What’s that you say, said blog brings the big stick?
And it’s run by the same persona who could potentially challenge this site’s title of Best Bucs Blog?
Extra tall shot of yager to Scott for his subversive takeover of the Tribune’s website. Even if he is the bastard love child of Phil Hellmuth and Sammy Farha.
= ?
What’s that you say, said blog brings the big stick?
And it’s run by the same persona who could potentially challenge this site’s title of Best Bucs Blog?
Extra tall shot of yager to Scott for his subversive takeover of the Tribune’s website. Even if he is the bastard love child of Phil Hellmuth and Sammy Farha.
= ?
So long, farewell
...auf Wiedersehen, good night Dwight Smith.
Not to go all Sound of Music on you but Smith just signed a three year deal with the Vikings. Rumor was that Minnesota was offering a better deal than Tampa Bay and Tomlin's presence as the Viking's defensive coordinator (Tomlin was Smith's coach in Tampa Bay) only sweetened the deal.
Not to go all Sound of Music on you but Smith just signed a three year deal with the Vikings. Rumor was that Minnesota was offering a better deal than Tampa Bay and Tomlin's presence as the Viking's defensive coordinator (Tomlin was Smith's coach in Tampa Bay) only sweetened the deal.
2006-07-24
Draft Pick Update
Bucs sign the next Dan Marino, aka Bruce Gradkowski.
For those not keeping track at home that makes four draft picks the Bucs have signed with six remaining. The Bucs have yet to sign any of their first four picks.
Also, the Tampa Tribune further muddies the Ronde Barber waters by coyly suggesting the two sides are close to a deal while providing no new information (thanks Roy Cummings!).
Anyone else hoping training camp would go ahead and start already?
For those not keeping track at home that makes four draft picks the Bucs have signed with six remaining. The Bucs have yet to sign any of their first four picks.
Also, the Tampa Tribune further muddies the Ronde Barber waters by coyly suggesting the two sides are close to a deal while providing no new information (thanks Roy Cummings!).
Anyone else hoping training camp would go ahead and start already?
2006-07-23
Extension on the way for Ronde?
Chris Harry of the Orlando Sentinel says so.
Ronde seems to hint that he is looking for Champ Bailer money which would be a big mistake on Bruce Allen's part. Even if he is overrated Bailey is one of the best at what he does. Ronde, on the other hand, has benefitted from Monte Kiffin's defense and would only be valuable to other Tampa Two teams (i.e. Bears, Colts, Lions, etc.).
While it would be nice to see Ronde get his, I hope it does not come at the expense of the Buc's long term financial stability.
UPDATE: (7/24, 10:15) Or maybe not.
Rick Stroud of the St Pete Times spoke to Bruce Allen and Ronde's agent and both confirmed that they are no where close to an extension. And since Allen reconfirmed his deadline is March '07, I'm guessing Barber will not sign a new contract before training camp begins. Keep in mind Chris Simms will be a free agent next season also and will most likely require both top dollar and Bruce Allen's full attention.
Ronde seems to hint that he is looking for Champ Bailer money which would be a big mistake on Bruce Allen's part. Even if he is overrated Bailey is one of the best at what he does. Ronde, on the other hand, has benefitted from Monte Kiffin's defense and would only be valuable to other Tampa Two teams (i.e. Bears, Colts, Lions, etc.).
While it would be nice to see Ronde get his, I hope it does not come at the expense of the Buc's long term financial stability.
UPDATE: (7/24, 10:15) Or maybe not.
Rick Stroud of the St Pete Times spoke to Bruce Allen and Ronde's agent and both confirmed that they are no where close to an extension. And since Allen reconfirmed his deadline is March '07, I'm guessing Barber will not sign a new contract before training camp begins. Keep in mind Chris Simms will be a free agent next season also and will most likely require both top dollar and Bruce Allen's full attention.
2006-07-21
What could have been...
The Year: 2008
The Game: NFC Championship
The Scenario: Bucs down 24-30 to the Lions. 7 seconds left in the 4th.
With memories of the Music City Miracle the Bucs, with Andre Hall returning, prepare to receive the kickoff. In an unusual mental lapse Monte Kiffin’s young defense has just let up a last second touchdown. John Madden, Al Michaels and Weird Al Yankovic are already drawing comparisons to the Buc’s collapse against the Rams in ’99.
It’s a long, high kick to the five yard line. Andre Hall cleanly catches the ball.
To the ten, the fifteen.
Hall meets the first wave of attackers. Rick Razzano lays a monster block and Hall jukes past the first wave.
To the twenty, to the twenty-five.
Ernie Simms has an open field shot at Hall, but with a vicious spin move Hall breaks free.
To the thirty, the thirty-five, the forty.
One man between Hall and Glory…Martin Gramatica. Gramatica awkwardly lunges at Hall but falls a foot short.
To the forty five, the fifty.
Nobody stands between Hall and the endzone. No time left on the clock. And…he…goes…all…the…way. TOUCHDOWN!!!
Tampa Bay has just returned their first ever kickoff for a touchdown! Not since Shaun King has a local boy made good for the Bucs. In a matter of seconds Andre Hall has gone from nobody to Tampa Bay legend. Grandfathers will sit grandchildren on their knees decades from now and tell them youngin's how they saw THE Andre Hall win the NFC Championship.
The Bucs are going to the Super Bowl. All because of USF grad Andre Hall!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately this scenario will never pan out. Andre Hall has been cut by the Bucs before training camp has even started. Unlimited possibilities involving Andre Hall will never play out.
But at least Hall has a USF degree to fall back on, right?
ONE LAST TRIBUTE TO ANDRE HALL:
The Game: NFC Championship
The Scenario: Bucs down 24-30 to the Lions. 7 seconds left in the 4th.
With memories of the Music City Miracle the Bucs, with Andre Hall returning, prepare to receive the kickoff. In an unusual mental lapse Monte Kiffin’s young defense has just let up a last second touchdown. John Madden, Al Michaels and Weird Al Yankovic are already drawing comparisons to the Buc’s collapse against the Rams in ’99.
It’s a long, high kick to the five yard line. Andre Hall cleanly catches the ball.
To the ten, the fifteen.
Hall meets the first wave of attackers. Rick Razzano lays a monster block and Hall jukes past the first wave.
To the twenty, to the twenty-five.
Ernie Simms has an open field shot at Hall, but with a vicious spin move Hall breaks free.
To the thirty, the thirty-five, the forty.
One man between Hall and Glory…Martin Gramatica. Gramatica awkwardly lunges at Hall but falls a foot short.
To the forty five, the fifty.
Nobody stands between Hall and the endzone. No time left on the clock. And…he…goes…all…the…way. TOUCHDOWN!!!
Tampa Bay has just returned their first ever kickoff for a touchdown! Not since Shaun King has a local boy made good for the Bucs. In a matter of seconds Andre Hall has gone from nobody to Tampa Bay legend. Grandfathers will sit grandchildren on their knees decades from now and tell them youngin's how they saw THE Andre Hall win the NFC Championship.
The Bucs are going to the Super Bowl. All because of USF grad Andre Hall!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately this scenario will never pan out. Andre Hall has been cut by the Bucs before training camp has even started. Unlimited possibilities involving Andre Hall will never play out.
But at least Hall has a USF degree to fall back on, right?
ONE LAST TRIBUTE TO ANDRE HALL:
2006-07-20
Saints release Smith
Free safety Dwight Smith has been cut loose by the rebuilding Saints.
A youth movement in the Saint's secondary combined with his expensive salary made Smith expendable to the Saints. Additionally, there are rumors that the volatile Smith was not getting along with the new Saints coaching staff.
Obviously, Tampa Bay will be the most likely landing spot for Smith, who was originally drafted and started for the Bucs. But do we want Smith?
At 27, Smith is in the prime of his career and has the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary (he was originally drafted to play corner). And he can be had for a cheap one year deal.
On the other hand, Smith has been a lightning rod for trouble. The addition of Smith might further retard Will Allen's development, assuming Smith starts at free safety over Allen. And most importantly, signing Smith will take even more time away from Bruce Allen that could be spent negotiating with Ronde's agent for an extension.
Thoughts?
A youth movement in the Saint's secondary combined with his expensive salary made Smith expendable to the Saints. Additionally, there are rumors that the volatile Smith was not getting along with the new Saints coaching staff.
Obviously, Tampa Bay will be the most likely landing spot for Smith, who was originally drafted and started for the Bucs. But do we want Smith?
At 27, Smith is in the prime of his career and has the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary (he was originally drafted to play corner). And he can be had for a cheap one year deal.
On the other hand, Smith has been a lightning rod for trouble. The addition of Smith might further retard Will Allen's development, assuming Smith starts at free safety over Allen. And most importantly, signing Smith will take even more time away from Bruce Allen that could be spent negotiating with Ronde's agent for an extension.
Thoughts?
Joseph guarantees he'll be in camp
First round pick Davin Joseph says, "I know I'll be at camp on time."
Reports have been that Joseph has struggled to pick up Gruden's offense so if Joseph is serious about winning the starting left guard job he will need to be in training camp when it begins.
Also in the St Pete Times report, Bruce Allen has taken the first potshot at Me-Shawn. During a question and answer session with fans Allen slipped in film of Keyshawn dropping a pass among Galloway highlights. Allen also remains hopeful he can sign Ronde to an extension, although Allen says his deadline is March of '07.
With less than eight days to go the Bucs have nine more draft picks to sign. Expect some of the lower picks (with the highest being Zemaitis) to be signed in the next couple of days.
Reports have been that Joseph has struggled to pick up Gruden's offense so if Joseph is serious about winning the starting left guard job he will need to be in training camp when it begins.
Also in the St Pete Times report, Bruce Allen has taken the first potshot at Me-Shawn. During a question and answer session with fans Allen slipped in film of Keyshawn dropping a pass among Galloway highlights. Allen also remains hopeful he can sign Ronde to an extension, although Allen says his deadline is March of '07.
With less than eight days to go the Bucs have nine more draft picks to sign. Expect some of the lower picks (with the highest being Zemaitis) to be signed in the next couple of days.
2006-07-19
Draft Pick Update
Bucs sign seventh round tightend.
Making Tim Massaquio the first draft pick signed. Nine more picks to go.
Making Tim Massaquio the first draft pick signed. Nine more picks to go.
Where have you gone Mr. Tony?
Even with the World Cup this summer/offseason has felt like it has dragged on unnecessarily long. At first I though that had more to do with the NFL's desire to pander to the Television Networks and push the Super Bowl into February (thus pushing back the start of training camp) until the following realization hit me. I've been missing out on my regular Tony Kornheiser fix.A year ago I could depend on daily Mr. Tony fixes through either his radio show, the Washington Post, and/or PTI. With clockwork like certainty I could listen to Mr. Tony rants on subjects as far ranging as the 'Skins bandwagon to cyclists on DC roads. And it was great.
This year, though, Mr. Tony has all but dissappeared. He went off the radio in March. He has not written for the Post since April (about the "Keith Hernandez/girls don't belong in the dugout" controversy). And now, I've been subjected to Dan LeBetard for the past couple weeks on PTI.
Consider this an open request to Mr. Tony, come back! I know you've been resting up (mentally and physically) for your Monday Night Football stint but sports fans need you. Hell, I need you. I'm a mess without you. I miss you so damn much. I miss being with you, I miss being near you. I miss your laugh. I miss your scent; I miss your musk. When this all gets sorted out, I think you and me should get an apartment together.
Christmas in July
Continuing the Hump Day Cheerleader tradition (two times makes it a tradition, right?) and considering the heat wave which has gripped the U.S. I present you an icy picture to cool your hot heart. Or is it a hot picture to cool your icy heart?
Either way, enjoy.
2006-07-18
Draft pick update
Bucs made an offer to Zemaitis last week.
Although certainly not the cornerback I hoped the Bucs would offer a contract to. Bucs have still not signed any of their draft picks.
Although certainly not the cornerback I hoped the Bucs would offer a contract to. Bucs have still not signed any of their draft picks.
2006-07-17
No more tail-gazing at Buc's games
...if you know what I mean.
Which is a shame really. Strippers at a Tampa Bay game were/are as quintessential as a Phillycheese steak at an Eagles game or crack rock at a Ravens game. As hard as local politicos try to fight it Tampa IS strip clubs and strip malls.
And if you get rid of the strip clubs all you have is strip malls.
(hat tip to Sticks of Fire)
Which is a shame really. Strippers at a Tampa Bay game were/are as quintessential as a Phillycheese steak at an Eagles game or crack rock at a Ravens game. As hard as local politicos try to fight it Tampa IS strip clubs and strip malls.
And if you get rid of the strip clubs all you have is strip malls.
(hat tip to Sticks of Fire)
2006-07-14
New York Times uncovers the obvious
Cadillac Williams took automatic A classes while at Auburn.I'll tell you straight out I'm on the fence about this. Obviously this happens at every SEC school (except Vanderbilt) and even your humble and incredibly geniusfied host could be accused of taking college classes which where a guaranteed A. And since none of these guys are going to become brain surgeons or rocket scientests it probably doesn't matter if they took a lighter than average course load.
But, at the same time, the idealist in me is upset that athletes are given an easy ride at the taxpayer's expense. This may just be crazy talk but I believe anybody on a scholarship should be held to a higher standard than students who are paying their own way. In the grand scheme of things, we would all be better served if the scholarships given to athletes were instead given to future teachers and nurses. Of course, in this perfect world the Bucs, Rays and Lightning would win championships every year and broccoli would taste like steak.
Update: Of all the reactions I've seen to this story Grits has prob the best one. Go check it out.
2006-07-13
To pat down or not to pat down
That is the question.
Not often that you hear the words "Constitutional protections" mentioned in the same breath as the Bucs but this ongoing case could be decided soon by a federal judge. And while the two main parties in this case are a local Bucs fan opposed to pat downs and the Tampa Sports Authority, the judges decision will likely impact all 32 NFL teams and stadiums since the NFL mandated pat downs began last year.
Not often that you hear the words "Constitutional protections" mentioned in the same breath as the Bucs but this ongoing case could be decided soon by a federal judge. And while the two main parties in this case are a local Bucs fan opposed to pat downs and the Tampa Sports Authority, the judges decision will likely impact all 32 NFL teams and stadiums since the NFL mandated pat downs began last year.
2006-07-12
Run Forrest!
Ravens linebacker Green shows off his 40 time.
A camera outside the bowling alley has caught Roderick Green's flight from the knife wielding bowler. In any other city Stabby McKnife would be identified in a short time but since this is Baltimore, home to the Stop Snitching campaign, the police don't really have a good chance of finding Green's assailant.
(tip of the hat to the Sports Frog)
A camera outside the bowling alley has caught Roderick Green's flight from the knife wielding bowler. In any other city Stabby McKnife would be identified in a short time but since this is Baltimore, home to the Stop Snitching campaign, the police don't really have a good chance of finding Green's assailant.
(tip of the hat to the Sports Frog)
Hurrah, another list!
In case my thinly veiled disgust for the effortless efforts has not yet become apparent I can not stand lists/rankings. Most lists reek of apathy, both on the part of the writer and the reader, and are typically little more than attempts to drum up viewership/readership without substantively contributing to any kind of sports dialouge.
This ranking of quarterback units by the Football Outsider guys stands in stark contrast to most rankings since it is backed up by the Outsider's unique brand of stats. In what should come as little surprise the Bucs quarterbacks do not rank highly. What does come as a surprise is that Simms is injury prone.
As much as I appreciate the Outsiders stats, the Outsider's Achilles heel has always been their inattention to detail. This effort, in so many ways is quintessential Football Outsiders material, ahead of the curve yet fundamentally flawed.
This ranking of quarterback units by the Football Outsider guys stands in stark contrast to most rankings since it is backed up by the Outsider's unique brand of stats. In what should come as little surprise the Bucs quarterbacks do not rank highly. What does come as a surprise is that Simms is injury prone.
20. Tampa Bay
Chris Simms looked good as the starter last year, and improved as the year went along. Unfortunately, Simms has been injury prone in the past, and so have all his backups. Simms had shoulder issues in 2004. Jay Fiedler hurt his shoulder last year and might not even be ready for training camp. Luke McCown already blew out his knee. Tim Rattay broke himself in three places during the time it took you to read this sentence. It would surprise nobody if the Bucs had four guys on the injured list and undrafted rookie Bruce Gradkowski starting by Week 17.
As much as I appreciate the Outsiders stats, the Outsider's Achilles heel has always been their inattention to detail. This effort, in so many ways is quintessential Football Outsiders material, ahead of the curve yet fundamentally flawed.
Hump Day Cheerleaders
New gimmick I'm introducing here at the Best Bucs Blog, the Hump Day Cheerleader pic. Just consider it a little something to make your work week move a bit quicker.
Today's pic comes courtesy of the NFL Network's Making the Squad: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I finally caught this show the other day and it reminds me of a really bad date. I've got to listen to some clueless airhead prattle on for an hour about her family and runt of a dog in the blind hope I will see her naked. And just like most of my dates, you will not get to see any of the cheerleader's birthday suits.
Anyway, enjoy.
2006-07-10
Baltimore: City of Criminals
I just can't quit you. I had told myself, "no more of this blogging in your Superman underoos crap," at least for the next few weeks but like a compulsive gambler who has found his mark when I saw this story I just couldn't keep away. Or to make an even more lame sports analogy (since I am watching the Home Run Derby right now) this story was my slow, hanger over the plate.
Raven's linebacker NOT a criminal.
I have serious difficulty believing this guy is really a Raven though. I know Roderick Green is on Baltimore's roster but a TRUE Raven would not have avoided the fight, and he definitely would not have run away. You think Ray Lewis would have run away? Hell no, the stabbing bowler would be in a bodybag right now. You think Jamal Lewis would have run away? Well....you see where I'm going with this.
But Green's still a young guy, so I'm sure Baltimore will turn him into a hardened criminal. The city has a way of doing that to law-abiding citizens.
Raven's linebacker NOT a criminal.
I have serious difficulty believing this guy is really a Raven though. I know Roderick Green is on Baltimore's roster but a TRUE Raven would not have avoided the fight, and he definitely would not have run away. You think Ray Lewis would have run away? Hell no, the stabbing bowler would be in a bodybag right now. You think Jamal Lewis would have run away? Well....you see where I'm going with this.
But Green's still a young guy, so I'm sure Baltimore will turn him into a hardened criminal. The city has a way of doing that to law-abiding citizens.
2006-07-09
The Dead Zone
With roughly three weeks (and counting) to go until the start of training camp we have officially entered the NFL Dead Zone a dark hole from which (almost) no news can escape. From here on out the only news which can escape the Dead Zone will be the embarassing variety, player arrests and suspensions.
So sit tight, try to avoid the football addiction shakes and I'll see you on the other side.
2006-06-30
Kudos for the Glazers
Normally you can tell a writer is struggling for material when they start making lists (i.e. SportsCentre's list of best pass defences, quarterbacking, fatest ESPN talkings heads, etc.), but hats off to Michael Silver for ranking some of the richest men involved in the NFL.
As they rightly should be the Glazers (god speed Papa Glazer) are ranked among the upper third of the owners. My only quibble with the list is a minor one, that the Glazers should be bumped up a notch considering they had the cojones to make the difficult yet necessary decision to dump Dungy for Gruden. And even if the Dungy firing still doesn't feel right, the results can hardly be argued with.
And as long as we're on the subject this seems as good a time as any to introduce this article which states the obvious: pro sports are not the best investment. While shedding little facts on the subject it does bring up the question of why an owner would get involved in pro sports considering the drain on the wallet. While I certainly can not read the Glazers' minds I'm guessing the above picture is also linked to the answer. Or, in sum...
Winners desire champions.
(tip of the hat to HSS and True Hoop)
As they rightly should be the Glazers (god speed Papa Glazer) are ranked among the upper third of the owners. My only quibble with the list is a minor one, that the Glazers should be bumped up a notch considering they had the cojones to make the difficult yet necessary decision to dump Dungy for Gruden. And even if the Dungy firing still doesn't feel right, the results can hardly be argued with.
And as long as we're on the subject this seems as good a time as any to introduce this article which states the obvious: pro sports are not the best investment. While shedding little facts on the subject it does bring up the question of why an owner would get involved in pro sports considering the drain on the wallet. While I certainly can not read the Glazers' minds I'm guessing the above picture is also linked to the answer. Or, in sum...
Winners desire champions.
(tip of the hat to HSS and True Hoop)
#55 up there with Enron execs
Derrick Brooks named one of the greatest pirates of all time by Swedish boxmaker Volvo.
I don't know how official this list is, but also listed are Blackbeard, The Great Pirate Roberts, and the former Enron executives. I'm not sure if this list is meant to be complimentary or not, but if it's an attempt to draw attention to self-obsessed, black hearted men then maybe this former Buccaneer would have been a better choice.
(tip of the the hat to C.A. for the tip)
I don't know how official this list is, but also listed are Blackbeard, The Great Pirate Roberts, and the former Enron executives. I'm not sure if this list is meant to be complimentary or not, but if it's an attempt to draw attention to self-obsessed, black hearted men then maybe this former Buccaneer would have been a better choice.
(tip of the the hat to C.A. for the tip)
2006-06-29
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Before we begin I have some breaking news to report, it appears journeyman quarterback Jay Fiedler will sign with the Bucs creating a three man race for the chance to sink the Bucs season should Chris Simms go down with injury. Tampa Bay would be Fiedler’s sixth team in 11 years.At this point does it really matter which of the three backups is number two on the depth chart? Tim Rattay couldn’t beat out Alex Smith last season. Fiedler is Fiedler. And even if he is the next Marino, Gradkowski is still just a rookie.
And as good as he might be I’m still not sold on Simms. An inability to put up more than 7 points at home in the playoffs is a huge warning flag. Obviously Simms should get better the more time he has to learn Gruden’s offense, but he had three years to learn the offense before last season’s playoff debacle.
Has anyone else noticed the Bucs have started three different quarterbacks the last three seasons? Except for the o-line the quarterbacks have been a bigger mess than any other position. Gruden’s coaching has been the saving grace here. Look, I’m rooting for Simms and anyone else playing for the Bucs but unless the they can get more production from the quarterback position (especially considering the aging defense) the Bucs have no shot at the Super Bowl.
Hook 'em Chris2006-06-28
Better draft: NBA or NFL?
PTI posed this question today, and as much as it pains me to say it the NBA is a "slam dunk" to quote George Tenet. Even overlooking the absurd one piece suits, the more recognizable college basketball names, the shorter draft time and Adam Morrison's mustache the NBA draft beats down the NFL's version for one simple reason, Tremendous Upside Potential. Bill Simmons coined this phrase a while back and it sums up how absurd the NBA draft is.
Every year some foolish GM ignores tell tale signs such as the player disappearing in March (i.e. Rudy Gay), lack of production in college (Tyrus Thomas) or an inability to speak English (Adam Morrison and any Eastern European) instead focusing on potential. Consider this the Jordan effect, every GM is afraid to pass on the next great player. So you get guys like Darko going much higher than they should have, almost solely because Pau Gasol went much later than he should have.
One of my favorite side games with the NBA draft is predicting which player will outplay his draft position and which will be busts. This year I like Brandon Roy (no brainer except for his knee injuries) and Jordan Farmer (March has to count for something). Rudy Gay is the bust waiting to happen.
Switching over to live blogging mode for the moment.
7:55 - Let me throw in Thomas as a potential bust at #4. If he had gone lower I wouldn't throw him in the same category as Gay. And yes, I'm completely ignoring LSU's Final Four run...Big Baby Davis was/is the heart of that team. Thomas is a great help defender but will get eaten alive in one-on-one.
8:00 - I am loving this five minutes per pick in the first round. If this was the NFL Draft we would still be waiting for the third pick. If Tagliabue is half as smart as everyone claims he is the NFL would shorten the the amount of time a team has to pick in the first round.
8:05 - Who guarantees to draft Sheldon Williams with the fifth pick? The Hawks of course (but only because the Knicks don't pick in the first round this year).
8:06 - I normally can't stand Stu Scott but I enjoy the unintentional comedy he brings to live interviews. The two white guy interviews (the Italian and Morrison) stand out for me. In the middle of interviewing the Italian Scott stops the interview to point out how all the New Yorkers are booing the Italian and then expects the guy who barely speaks English to respond. Priceless.
8:14 - Really confused right now. Dan Patrick just said Houston is on the clock, but the ESPN ticker says Boston is up next. But I thought Boston agreed to trade the #7 pick for Telfair?
8:16 - Boston selects Randy Foye for Portland. That clears it up, kinda.
8:23 - Going back to the Morrison interview it's interesting how much his PR people have shaped him in the last couple of months. Back in March CBS had Reddick and Morrison on the pre-game set for the Final Four, and Morrison could not have looked more uncomfortable and spoken more unintelligbly. Three months later and he's at least able to form complete sentences on live T.V.
8:25 - Random question, does anyone know if it's possible to create folds in blogger? This post has already become unreadably long (and filled with spelling errors).
8:28 - Dick Vitale, the NBA genius that he is, questions why Houston would consider trading Rudy Gay to Memphis. Apparently Dicky V is not aware of Tracy McGrady.
8:30 - Patrick O'Brien is black? I hear center from Bradley and automatically assumed the guy is another white stiff.
8:34 - Jay Bilas, a guy I normally like, offers some really insightful commentary on O'Brien. To paraphrase Bilas, O'Brien is a hit or miss player, he'll either be really good or he'll just be OK." Captain Obvious points to Bilas.
8:37 - Seattle Supersonics select Saer Sene from Senegal. Say that five times fast.
8:51 - This might be a bad omen but just as I'm typing the words "Redick is a good fit for Orlando" my computer freezes.
8:56 - David Stern teases us all by announcing a trade just as the 76ers are on the clock. Everyone in the audience is expecting Stern to announce the Iverson trade when the Commish breaks everyones heart by instead making the Boston-Portland trade official. Stern would make a horrible prom date.
8:59 - Just stepping back for a second (and I know I'm beating a dead horse) I'm loving the quick pace of the NBA Draft. Just as I finish up commenting on the previous selection David Stern is announcing the next pick.
9:00 - Dan Patrick on David Stern hiding backstage while waiting for the next pick, "You rascal you." Stern's response? "Dan, I always look forward to your pithy comments." And I did that exchange absolutely no credit.
9:04 - If Patrick and Stern were characters from Deadwood, Patrick would be the greasy hotel owner/Mayor and Stern would be Big Al. Did that do the exchange justice?
9:06 - I suspect ESPN is just bringing Dicky V on to talk about ACC players.
9:15 - Chicago is stocking up on young talented players. They still don't have a go to guy, but they have enough pieces to trade for a go to guy.
9:19 - Wait a second, Marcus Williams is still left in the green room? The same Marcus Williams who was suspended early in the season for stealing computers? The same Marcus Williams who got bounced by George Mason? The same Marcus Williams who was out of shape for his workouts? (You see where I am going here.)
9:26 - I'll use the Bullets pick as an excuse to mention how much I like Gilbert Arenas. This hasn't received much press but Arenas recently announced he was willing to take a salary cut if the Wizards used that money to sign a good free agent. Of course if LeBron had made the same announcement it would have been front page news.
9:30 - He he, Quincy Douby.
9:33 - Turns out I was wrong Knicks do have a first round pick. And while ESPN reviews Isiah Thomas' moves all the Knicks fan start booing.
9:34 - And the Guido Knicks fan demands his team select Marcus Williams because New York doesn't have enough guards.
9:38 - Note to random Knicks fan, if you're holding a sign that says "A depressed Knicks fan" you can't be jumping up and down with a smile on your face after your team makes a horrible pick.
9:42 - One of the things that bugs me about the NBA (and MLB) is how teams can just pay money in a trade and receive a player. It just seems to encourage bad owners to sell off their best players.
9:44 - Your Marcus Williams mood update: Annoyed.
9:49 - ESPN.com has a draftcast where fans can interview players who have just been selected. Somebody asks Gay what he needs to improve to be an All-Star, and Gay response is, "My hunger. My versatility will help me a lot, but I need to get more hungry." And Denny's Big Slam Breakfast sees a sponsorship opportunity.
9:51 - And Marcus Williams is off the board at 22 to the Nets. And he still does not look happy.
9:53 - I'll be the first person to make the obvious "did the Nets scouting team just watch U Conn highlights?" joke.
9:55 - And while we're on the subject U Conn now has four players drafted in the first round. The fact that U Conn lost to George Mason just goes to show how little heart that U Conn team had (and how good of a coach Larranaga is).
10:09 - It's getting late and I stopped bringing the funny about two hours ago so I'll just quit now. At some point I plan on throwing in my two cents on the Bucs quarterback situation which is very quickly becoming a mess. I had hoped to do that tonight but the NBA Draft sucked me in, so consider this your teaser for tomorrow (or possibly later depending on my internet situation).
Every year some foolish GM ignores tell tale signs such as the player disappearing in March (i.e. Rudy Gay), lack of production in college (Tyrus Thomas) or an inability to speak English (Adam Morrison and any Eastern European) instead focusing on potential. Consider this the Jordan effect, every GM is afraid to pass on the next great player. So you get guys like Darko going much higher than they should have, almost solely because Pau Gasol went much later than he should have.
One of my favorite side games with the NBA draft is predicting which player will outplay his draft position and which will be busts. This year I like Brandon Roy (no brainer except for his knee injuries) and Jordan Farmer (March has to count for something). Rudy Gay is the bust waiting to happen.
Switching over to live blogging mode for the moment.
7:55 - Let me throw in Thomas as a potential bust at #4. If he had gone lower I wouldn't throw him in the same category as Gay. And yes, I'm completely ignoring LSU's Final Four run...Big Baby Davis was/is the heart of that team. Thomas is a great help defender but will get eaten alive in one-on-one.
8:00 - I am loving this five minutes per pick in the first round. If this was the NFL Draft we would still be waiting for the third pick. If Tagliabue is half as smart as everyone claims he is the NFL would shorten the the amount of time a team has to pick in the first round.
8:05 - Who guarantees to draft Sheldon Williams with the fifth pick? The Hawks of course (but only because the Knicks don't pick in the first round this year).
8:06 - I normally can't stand Stu Scott but I enjoy the unintentional comedy he brings to live interviews. The two white guy interviews (the Italian and Morrison) stand out for me. In the middle of interviewing the Italian Scott stops the interview to point out how all the New Yorkers are booing the Italian and then expects the guy who barely speaks English to respond. Priceless.
8:14 - Really confused right now. Dan Patrick just said Houston is on the clock, but the ESPN ticker says Boston is up next. But I thought Boston agreed to trade the #7 pick for Telfair?
8:16 - Boston selects Randy Foye for Portland. That clears it up, kinda.
8:23 - Going back to the Morrison interview it's interesting how much his PR people have shaped him in the last couple of months. Back in March CBS had Reddick and Morrison on the pre-game set for the Final Four, and Morrison could not have looked more uncomfortable and spoken more unintelligbly. Three months later and he's at least able to form complete sentences on live T.V.
8:25 - Random question, does anyone know if it's possible to create folds in blogger? This post has already become unreadably long (and filled with spelling errors).
8:28 - Dick Vitale, the NBA genius that he is, questions why Houston would consider trading Rudy Gay to Memphis. Apparently Dicky V is not aware of Tracy McGrady.
8:30 - Patrick O'Brien is black? I hear center from Bradley and automatically assumed the guy is another white stiff.
8:34 - Jay Bilas, a guy I normally like, offers some really insightful commentary on O'Brien. To paraphrase Bilas, O'Brien is a hit or miss player, he'll either be really good or he'll just be OK." Captain Obvious points to Bilas.
8:37 - Seattle Supersonics select Saer Sene from Senegal. Say that five times fast.
8:51 - This might be a bad omen but just as I'm typing the words "Redick is a good fit for Orlando" my computer freezes.
8:56 - David Stern teases us all by announcing a trade just as the 76ers are on the clock. Everyone in the audience is expecting Stern to announce the Iverson trade when the Commish breaks everyones heart by instead making the Boston-Portland trade official. Stern would make a horrible prom date.
8:59 - Just stepping back for a second (and I know I'm beating a dead horse) I'm loving the quick pace of the NBA Draft. Just as I finish up commenting on the previous selection David Stern is announcing the next pick.
9:00 - Dan Patrick on David Stern hiding backstage while waiting for the next pick, "You rascal you." Stern's response? "Dan, I always look forward to your pithy comments." And I did that exchange absolutely no credit.
9:04 - If Patrick and Stern were characters from Deadwood, Patrick would be the greasy hotel owner/Mayor and Stern would be Big Al. Did that do the exchange justice?
9:06 - I suspect ESPN is just bringing Dicky V on to talk about ACC players.
9:15 - Chicago is stocking up on young talented players. They still don't have a go to guy, but they have enough pieces to trade for a go to guy.
9:19 - Wait a second, Marcus Williams is still left in the green room? The same Marcus Williams who was suspended early in the season for stealing computers? The same Marcus Williams who got bounced by George Mason? The same Marcus Williams who was out of shape for his workouts? (You see where I am going here.)
9:26 - I'll use the Bullets pick as an excuse to mention how much I like Gilbert Arenas. This hasn't received much press but Arenas recently announced he was willing to take a salary cut if the Wizards used that money to sign a good free agent. Of course if LeBron had made the same announcement it would have been front page news.
9:30 - He he, Quincy Douby.
9:33 - Turns out I was wrong Knicks do have a first round pick. And while ESPN reviews Isiah Thomas' moves all the Knicks fan start booing.
9:34 - And the Guido Knicks fan demands his team select Marcus Williams because New York doesn't have enough guards.
9:38 - Note to random Knicks fan, if you're holding a sign that says "A depressed Knicks fan" you can't be jumping up and down with a smile on your face after your team makes a horrible pick.
9:42 - One of the things that bugs me about the NBA (and MLB) is how teams can just pay money in a trade and receive a player. It just seems to encourage bad owners to sell off their best players.
9:44 - Your Marcus Williams mood update: Annoyed.
9:49 - ESPN.com has a draftcast where fans can interview players who have just been selected. Somebody asks Gay what he needs to improve to be an All-Star, and Gay response is, "My hunger. My versatility will help me a lot, but I need to get more hungry." And Denny's Big Slam Breakfast sees a sponsorship opportunity.
9:51 - And Marcus Williams is off the board at 22 to the Nets. And he still does not look happy.
9:53 - I'll be the first person to make the obvious "did the Nets scouting team just watch U Conn highlights?" joke.
9:55 - And while we're on the subject U Conn now has four players drafted in the first round. The fact that U Conn lost to George Mason just goes to show how little heart that U Conn team had (and how good of a coach Larranaga is).
10:09 - It's getting late and I stopped bringing the funny about two hours ago so I'll just quit now. At some point I plan on throwing in my two cents on the Bucs quarterback situation which is very quickly becoming a mess. I had hoped to do that tonight but the NBA Draft sucked me in, so consider this your teaser for tomorrow (or possibly later depending on my internet situation).
2006-06-27
Pro Football Rumor Mongering
The reason that the internet will never replace the newspapers is simple...bloggers are a bunch of computer dorks in pajamas while reporters are, you know, real live reporters.
Of course, that hasn't prevented Pro Football Talk from masquarading as a news site and posting unsubstantiated rumors based on as trustable a source as "I heard this from a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy." Orson at EDSBS very rightly takes PFT to task for some Brady Quinn rumor mongering, even if Notre Dame bashing is the new black. Not to get all Sunday Preacher on you but when breaking what would be front page news it typically helps to have a named source. And this certainly isn't the first time PFT has propositioned a rumor as fact.
To recap the typical PFT rumor mongering goes something like this...
Step 1. Make a bold statement, like T.O. wears women's underwear. Cite unnamed sources and provide no evidence.
Step 2. Established newspaper interviews Cowboys/Eagles/49ers teammates about rumor. Confirms rumor is false.
Step 3. PFT slightly modifies original story while reconfirming its accuracy. Still does not provide evidence.
Step 4. Everyone eventually forgets the rumor and moves on. PFT continues making childish jokes about T.O. wearing women's underwear.
Step 5. Wait a few months and go back to Step 1.
I'm not saying everything PFT writes is wrong, just pointing out how PFT is a perfect example of what's wrong with the internet. It's real easy to dress up a half truth everyone already wants to believe, the internet is perfect for this. It's much more difficult to uncover the actual truth and then prove your story true. I just don't think there will ever be an internet version of Woodward and Bernstein.
Of course, that hasn't prevented Pro Football Talk from masquarading as a news site and posting unsubstantiated rumors based on as trustable a source as "I heard this from a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy." Orson at EDSBS very rightly takes PFT to task for some Brady Quinn rumor mongering, even if Notre Dame bashing is the new black. Not to get all Sunday Preacher on you but when breaking what would be front page news it typically helps to have a named source. And this certainly isn't the first time PFT has propositioned a rumor as fact.
To recap the typical PFT rumor mongering goes something like this...
Step 1. Make a bold statement, like T.O. wears women's underwear. Cite unnamed sources and provide no evidence.
Step 2. Established newspaper interviews Cowboys/Eagles/49ers teammates about rumor. Confirms rumor is false.
Step 3. PFT slightly modifies original story while reconfirming its accuracy. Still does not provide evidence.
Step 4. Everyone eventually forgets the rumor and moves on. PFT continues making childish jokes about T.O. wearing women's underwear.
Step 5. Wait a few months and go back to Step 1.
I'm not saying everything PFT writes is wrong, just pointing out how PFT is a perfect example of what's wrong with the internet. It's real easy to dress up a half truth everyone already wants to believe, the internet is perfect for this. It's much more difficult to uncover the actual truth and then prove your story true. I just don't think there will ever be an internet version of Woodward and Bernstein.
2006-06-26
Oronde, Oronde, where art thou Oronde?
Despite misguided rumors to the opposite it appears Ronde Barber is no closer to signing an extension with the Bucs than he was a month ago. To recap, Barber is 31 and is signed up for another year.
While it is easy to say (as a fan) that Barber deserves his, especially after being underpaid, I can understand how difficult a decision this must be for Bruce Allen. Corners, much like runningbacks, lose much of their value after they hit 30 and it would be foolish to overpay Barber, especially since he would be considerably less valuable playing for another team that featured a man-to-man defense. Plus the Bucs have Zemaitis on the roster now.
On the flip side, this approach has hurt the Eagles ability to sign free agents since Philly has a reputation of dumping guys when they get to a certain age. The Bucs probably have not reached the Eagles level quite yet, but after the Sapp and Lynch jettisons Tampa is certainly treading dangerous waters.
While it is easy to say (as a fan) that Barber deserves his, especially after being underpaid, I can understand how difficult a decision this must be for Bruce Allen. Corners, much like runningbacks, lose much of their value after they hit 30 and it would be foolish to overpay Barber, especially since he would be considerably less valuable playing for another team that featured a man-to-man defense. Plus the Bucs have Zemaitis on the roster now.
On the flip side, this approach has hurt the Eagles ability to sign free agents since Philly has a reputation of dumping guys when they get to a certain age. The Bucs probably have not reached the Eagles level quite yet, but after the Sapp and Lynch jettisons Tampa is certainly treading dangerous waters.
Pay $19+ K to meet Pittman
Even having been away for only a week there is plenty of news/Bucs-filler-until-training-camp-starts to cover. And even though I've been gone for a week my visits per day average has gone up which means either: 1.) I could post nothing but pictures of half-naked cheerleaders and be as effective or, 2.) most of my readers have the IQ of Ben Roethlisberger (rim shot!). Most likely it's some combination of the first two with a healthy dose of #3 (I'm an idiot) thrown in.Scott has done an fine job of covering most of these stories in my absence, but I'll take this opportunity to add my own inane ramblings to the conversation.
In a follow up to a previous story, Michael Pittman has posted his crotch rocket on eBay but failed to sell the damn thing because bidding did not exceed his reserve. Come on people this is a chance to meet Pittman AND eventually donate your organs to a needy recipient. What are you waiting for?
The bigger surprise here is that Pittman has caved so quickly to his wife's demands, especially considering he once had a strong pimp hand (not that I'm saying that's a good thing). I understand Pittman has gotten more mature as he has aged but I'm sure there's a lesson here about always signing a prenup. Like Kanye's said, "I'm not saying she's a gold digger, but she ain't looking for no broke nigger."
2006-06-17
2006-06-14
You stay classy Me-Shawn
Great find by Dave's Football Blog on Keyshawn Johnson's participation in the '92 L.A. race riots. When asked whether he took part in the looting Keyshawn's response was...
Digest that for a second. Keyshawn participated in criminal activity because he wanted to, NOT because he needed to. Keyshawn was born in 1972, so...(doing some mental math) he would have been roughly 20 when the riots/looting was taking place. He was just a few years away from becoming the number one pick in the draft. If he had been willing to wait he could have bought all of the stuff he ended up stealing.
Also in the article, Keyshawn still refuses to believe he was kicked off the Bucs (instead he was "deactivated") and he has been shot in the butt.
Yeah. We weren't raised in Beverly Hills with (silver) spoons in our mouth, or in the hills of North Carolina. It just doesn't work that way. It's a different life. You have to survive. That was part of survival. What we took, it wasn't so much a need. It was a want.
Digest that for a second. Keyshawn participated in criminal activity because he wanted to, NOT because he needed to. Keyshawn was born in 1972, so...(doing some mental math) he would have been roughly 20 when the riots/looting was taking place. He was just a few years away from becoming the number one pick in the draft. If he had been willing to wait he could have bought all of the stuff he ended up stealing.
Also in the article, Keyshawn still refuses to believe he was kicked off the Bucs (instead he was "deactivated") and he has been shot in the butt.
A Bengal is arrested...again
Chris Henry keeps selling crazy.
Let's just take a quick jaunt through Henry's rap sheet...
- Arrested while wearing his own jersey for pulling a gun in Orlando
- Arrested in Kentucky on marijuana possession charges
- Arrested for a DUI after he failed a field sobriety test
- And most recently, arrested for giving alcohol to 18 year old prostitutes
And these are all in the last year. I'm not sure if there is some kind of arrests record for an athlete but if so we can probably consider Henry to be the Dan Marino of the criminal athlete world.
But I'm sure Henry will look great in Raider's Silver and Black next year.
Let's just take a quick jaunt through Henry's rap sheet...
- Arrested while wearing his own jersey for pulling a gun in Orlando
- Arrested in Kentucky on marijuana possession charges
- Arrested for a DUI after he failed a field sobriety test
- And most recently, arrested for giving alcohol to 18 year old prostitutes
And these are all in the last year. I'm not sure if there is some kind of arrests record for an athlete but if so we can probably consider Henry to be the Dan Marino of the criminal athlete world.
But I'm sure Henry will look great in Raider's Silver and Black next year.
Broken QBs and bikes for sale
Dr. Z, seeking to weave the Roethlisberger injury into the larger tapestry of the quarterback movement this offseason, points out just how quickly a guy can go from franchise player to reject.
Again, you have to go back to the seven hours of surgery Roethlisberger went through and wonder how that will have affected him, both physically and mentally. Even if Roethlisberger did not injure his knees the rehab will most likely set him back from being in the best shape he could have been sans surgery. It will be at least another four or five months before we can figure out just what effect the accident had on Roethlisberger.
But they say every story has a silver lining and for the Bucs that might be Michael Pittman's decision to sell his bikes.
I'm sure that Steve McNair also has had his eyes opened up to what the league is really like. He is part of an unsightly little quarterback club. Hero one day, injury liability the next. Drew Brees is a member. So are Daunte Culpepper and Chad Pennington.
Does Ben Roethlisberger belong after his motorcycle accident on Monday? No, not yet. He's in the class of the Bengals' Carson Palmer. They're still young.
Again, you have to go back to the seven hours of surgery Roethlisberger went through and wonder how that will have affected him, both physically and mentally. Even if Roethlisberger did not injure his knees the rehab will most likely set him back from being in the best shape he could have been sans surgery. It will be at least another four or five months before we can figure out just what effect the accident had on Roethlisberger.
But they say every story has a silver lining and for the Bucs that might be Michael Pittman's decision to sell his bikes.
Just because I can
Sports Talk Radio and ESPN talking heads alike have been quick to jump on the American team following their dismal performance the other day. But that doesn't mean you should give up on futbol. In fact, I found a few reasons to give el joga bonito another chance.
2006-06-13
Bucs sign ANOTHER receiver
Arena League Rookie of the Year Ben Nelson now a Buc.
I've had some time to digest this move and I'm still not sure what Gruden is up to. Is this yet another sign of Gruden's fascination with adding receivers to the roster? Or another attempt by Gruden to motivate Clayton to reach his potential? Or some mixture of both?
Either way this move can only work out well for the Bucs. If Nelson somehow beats out the five receivers above him on the depth chart then the Bucs end up with more talent on the roster than before. If Nelson can't cut it then the Bucs cut him, and end up spending (basically) no money.
I've had some time to digest this move and I'm still not sure what Gruden is up to. Is this yet another sign of Gruden's fascination with adding receivers to the roster? Or another attempt by Gruden to motivate Clayton to reach his potential? Or some mixture of both?
Either way this move can only work out well for the Bucs. If Nelson somehow beats out the five receivers above him on the depth chart then the Bucs end up with more talent on the roster than before. If Nelson can't cut it then the Bucs cut him, and end up spending (basically) no money.
A.J. Nicholson has a big head
Remember the story about current Bengal and former Nole A.J. Nicholson breaking into his former teammate Lorenzo Booker's apartment? Well it just got better.
Turns out the FSU athletic department ran a series of roommate Q&A's with various players that lived together. And you guessed it, two of those players were A.J. Nicholson and Lorenzo Booker. What were some of the responses?
A.J. Nicholson's responses:
Why did you pick Lorenzo Booker to be your roommate?
It was cheap and I needed a place to stay. It was a great price for me.
Why would someone like to be Lorenzo's roommate?
I don't know. The only reason why I'm his roommate is because I got a good deal, but besides that, I don't know why someone would want to stay with him.
What's something someone would be surprised to find out about your roommate?
He'll eat up all your food. Watch him.
Lorenzo Booker's responses:
Why did you pick A.J. Nicholson to be your roommate?
I started out with him and I thought he was a cool guy and I hoped he didn't change.
If there was one thing that you would change about your roommate, what would it be?
His head is real big. When I sit down to watch T.V. his head is always in the way.
And I completely sympathize with A.J. Nicholson now. I've had those roommates in college who are always eating the last slice of pizza or leaving your emptied milk cartons in the fridge. Lorenzo Booker eating A.J.'s food totally justifies A.J. stealing a grands worth of electronics from Lorenzo.
(huge tip of the hat to the pewter report mb)
Turns out the FSU athletic department ran a series of roommate Q&A's with various players that lived together. And you guessed it, two of those players were A.J. Nicholson and Lorenzo Booker. What were some of the responses?
A.J. Nicholson's responses:
Why did you pick Lorenzo Booker to be your roommate?
It was cheap and I needed a place to stay. It was a great price for me.
Why would someone like to be Lorenzo's roommate?
I don't know. The only reason why I'm his roommate is because I got a good deal, but besides that, I don't know why someone would want to stay with him.
What's something someone would be surprised to find out about your roommate?
He'll eat up all your food. Watch him.
Lorenzo Booker's responses:
Why did you pick A.J. Nicholson to be your roommate?
I started out with him and I thought he was a cool guy and I hoped he didn't change.
If there was one thing that you would change about your roommate, what would it be?
His head is real big. When I sit down to watch T.V. his head is always in the way.
And I completely sympathize with A.J. Nicholson now. I've had those roommates in college who are always eating the last slice of pizza or leaving your emptied milk cartons in the fridge. Lorenzo Booker eating A.J.'s food totally justifies A.J. stealing a grands worth of electronics from Lorenzo.
(huge tip of the hat to the pewter report mb)
A face made for radio?
I'm pretty damn sure everyone had the same two-part reaction when they heard that Roethlisberger had been taken to the hospital after a motorcycle accident. Concern for Roethlisberger's safety followed by snark criticism of how he could be so stupid not to wear a helmet after what had happened to Jason Williams and Kellen Winslow. And while Roethlisberger certainly deserves heckles from the peanut gallery it is worth pointing out that unless he was wearing a football helmet the injuries to his jaw and face could not have been avoided by wearing a helmet.But since it now appears the injury will not prevent Roethlisberger from playing next season, what will be the lasting effect of this injury?
It would be nice to think that athletes would stop riding crotch rockets all together, but the U.S. is more likely to win a World Cup before young multimillionaires quit thinking they are indestructable.
And you would think the NFL would do something to protect themselves but else can they do beyond threatening to take a player's salary away for non-football injuries as they already do?
No, the lasting impact of all this will most certainly be on Roethlisberger's wallet. Because Roethlisberger is about to become the Rondo Hatton of the NFL. Who was Rondo Hatton you ask? Rondo was the movie monster actor of the '30s and '40s who became infamous for how ugly he was.
And much like Rondo, Roethlisberger is in danger of becoming the villain and losing out on thousands of dollars of advertising through what may turn out to be largely no fault of his own.
Now there's a chance Big Ben won't look that bad, but after seven hours of surgery on his face and jaw to think otherwise is little more than wishful thinking. Which is a shame really because as Tom Brady has proven young, good looking quarterbacks who win Super Bowls are cash cows when it comes it advertising. Even before the Steelers won the Lombardi Trophy Roethlisberger was quickly becoming a media darling.
It has been mentioned that Roethlisberger was on a series of radio shows the morning before his accident, and in one of those odd twists of fate it may turn out the Super Bowl winning quarterback now has a face made for radio.
2006-06-11
2006-06-09
Who's ready for some futbol?
Unless you've been living under a rock...in a cave...with your hands over your ears you have noticed that the World Cup started today. A brief admission, a few months ago I felt much the same way about the World Cup that I felt about the Winter Olympics before they started, which could best be described in one question, "when does football season start?"
But unlike the Olympics I've come around on the World Cup, and am now eagerly awaiting the American's first match against the Czechs on Monday. I feel like the guy who admits to enjoying "Bridget Jones' Diary" when I write that, sure the World Cup is really good futbol but it's still futbol.
Anyway, Will described it best that the next month is like the first four days of March Madness for futbol fans...there are World Cup games on everyday. And a rare kudos to ESPN for having the commonsense to broadcast the games live.
And if you're looking to catch up on the sport, there are some good previews here, here and here.
But unlike the Olympics I've come around on the World Cup, and am now eagerly awaiting the American's first match against the Czechs on Monday. I feel like the guy who admits to enjoying "Bridget Jones' Diary" when I write that, sure the World Cup is really good futbol but it's still futbol.
Anyway, Will described it best that the next month is like the first four days of March Madness for futbol fans...there are World Cup games on everyday. And a rare kudos to ESPN for having the commonsense to broadcast the games live.
And if you're looking to catch up on the sport, there are some good previews here, here and here.
Just for the record I did not enjoy "Bridget Jones' Diary", Bridget Jones on the other hand...
2006-06-07
HGH in football?
Besides being thoroughly entertaining, this Jason Grimsley story could do to HGH what Jose Canseco did to steroids. Before Canseco shed light on the subject, there was no steroid smoking gun. Then Congress got involved and MLB was forced to institute steroid testing.
So what does this have to do with football?
The NFL does not test for HGH. Actually, none of the pro sports leagues test for HGH since it is so difficult to detect. And honestly, I don't know enough about HGH to know if it is as effective or prevalent as steroids. But if HGH testing levels the playing field (although not necessarily equalizing the talent) while ensuring the player's safety I'm all for it.
So what does this have to do with football?
The NFL does not test for HGH. Actually, none of the pro sports leagues test for HGH since it is so difficult to detect. And honestly, I don't know enough about HGH to know if it is as effective or prevalent as steroids. But if HGH testing levels the playing field (although not necessarily equalizing the talent) while ensuring the player's safety I'm all for it.
Baltimore gets good quarterback
Air McNair now a Raven.
Assuming McNair can pass a physical, he will be traded to Baltimore in exchange for a fourth round pick. This will give McNair a chance to participate in Raven's practice which last until June 15th. To make matters worse, the receiving corp which was originally upgraded for Boller now becomes McNair's to utilize.
Even with the upgrade in the passing game, it still comes down to rushing and defense in Baltimore. In the past both Lewis's have led the team in each facet of the game, but recently both players have become shadows of their former selves.
Assuming McNair can pass a physical, he will be traded to Baltimore in exchange for a fourth round pick. This will give McNair a chance to participate in Raven's practice which last until June 15th. To make matters worse, the receiving corp which was originally upgraded for Boller now becomes McNair's to utilize.
Even with the upgrade in the passing game, it still comes down to rushing and defense in Baltimore. In the past both Lewis's have led the team in each facet of the game, but recently both players have become shadows of their former selves.
2006-06-05
More chatter on McNair
There is now talk that Steve McNair is conversing with the Titans about restructuring his contract. The original reason the Titans were looking to get rid of McNair is that the last year of his contract is a poison pill to Tennesse's salary cap, so if McNair is serious about lowering his cap figure then he may end up staying with the Titans.
To recap, Baltimore is offering a fourth rounder but Tennessee wants at least a third rounder for McNair. If no trade or restructuring is agreed upon this month then McNair will likely be released come July. The former MVP would count $23.46 million against the cap.
It's gonna be a slow summer for the next two months so sit back and relax, 'cause unless another Bengal gets arrested there ain't gonna be a whole lot going on.
To recap, Baltimore is offering a fourth rounder but Tennessee wants at least a third rounder for McNair. If no trade or restructuring is agreed upon this month then McNair will likely be released come July. The former MVP would count $23.46 million against the cap.
It's gonna be a slow summer for the next two months so sit back and relax, 'cause unless another Bengal gets arrested there ain't gonna be a whole lot going on.
Gruden makes it to championship game
Jay Gruden to the ArenaBowl that is.
Chucky's little brother is the head coach for the Orlando Predators, who will play the Chicago Rush next weekend in Vegas for the twentieth installment of the Arena league championship. So if you're in Vegas Sunday and can't get tickets to the Blue Man Group or Siegfried and Roy you should check out some indoor football action.
2006-06-02
From around the League
- Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer tells Sports Illustrated that he is ahead of schedule in his rehab from a devastating knee injury in December. Palmer (or Snowflake as his teammate Chad Johnson calls him) plans on returning by September 10th for the Bengals first game from a MCL and ACL tears, injuries which typically take eight to twelve months to recover from. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis demands that Snowflake play at least two exhibition games before Snowflake can start the first game.
Of course, as my buddy Plugs has mentioned multiple times to me, Snowflake injured his non-planting leg so everything will be fine.
The Bucs play the Bengals in Week 6.
- Titans quarterback Steve McNair is one step closer to becoming a Raven. An arbitrator has ruled McNair should be allowed to use the Titans practice, which could spur the Titans into trading McNair lest he get injured working out.
The Ravens have full team minicamps until June 15, which means after the 15th the Ravens have little motivation to make a trade for McNair. If a deal is not completed by June 15 the Ravens would probably wait until July when the Titans would have to drop McNair to make salary cap room for their draft picks.
The Bucs play the Ravens in Week 1.
- Despite deserving it, 'Skins safety Sean Taylor avoided jail time for assault with a deadly weapon. Instead Taylor will have to pay 10 Miami inner city schools a $1,000 each and visit each school.
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with Miami?
Of course, as my buddy Plugs has mentioned multiple times to me, Snowflake injured his non-planting leg so everything will be fine.
The Bucs play the Bengals in Week 6.
- Titans quarterback Steve McNair is one step closer to becoming a Raven. An arbitrator has ruled McNair should be allowed to use the Titans practice, which could spur the Titans into trading McNair lest he get injured working out.
The Ravens have full team minicamps until June 15, which means after the 15th the Ravens have little motivation to make a trade for McNair. If a deal is not completed by June 15 the Ravens would probably wait until July when the Titans would have to drop McNair to make salary cap room for their draft picks.
The Bucs play the Ravens in Week 1.
- Despite deserving it, 'Skins safety Sean Taylor avoided jail time for assault with a deadly weapon. Instead Taylor will have to pay 10 Miami inner city schools a $1,000 each and visit each school.
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with Miami?
Shepherd re-inked
Bucs sign Edell Shepherd to one year, $425,000 contract.
Bucs have exclusive rights to negotiate with Shepherd so this deal was only a matter of when not if. Shepherd might have made himself some more money if he could have caught that last pass from Simms in the playoff game. Otherwise this another move to shore up a receiving corp which lacked depth last season.
Former Gator Earnest Graham remains the only unsigned Bucs free agent.
Bucs have exclusive rights to negotiate with Shepherd so this deal was only a matter of when not if. Shepherd might have made himself some more money if he could have caught that last pass from Simms in the playoff game. Otherwise this another move to shore up a receiving corp which lacked depth last season.
Former Gator Earnest Graham remains the only unsigned Bucs free agent.
2006-05-30
Guess we'll have to wait another 2 years for Jesus Rays
No name change in '07 for Devil Rays.
Although the organization hints it will pick a new moniker for '08. How about Not-DRays?
Although the organization hints it will pick a new moniker for '08. How about Not-DRays?
2006-05-29
Bucs Bits
- Rich Gannon advises Chris Simms to run more often. Wonder if Gannon also mentioned how that strategy worked out for him?
- The Tribune also reports Saints are still interested in trading Dwight Smith to the Bucs. The trade was originally nixed because the Bucs didn't want to pay the roughly $1 million in salary Smith would make this season, but with the new salary cap deal the trade is more feasible.
- Interesting quote from Kenyatta on whether or not he's feeling the pressure to perform this offseason.
Has anyone told 'Yatta Gruden drafted Trueblood in the second round?
- The Tribune also reports Saints are still interested in trading Dwight Smith to the Bucs. The trade was originally nixed because the Bucs didn't want to pay the roughly $1 million in salary Smith would make this season, but with the new salary cap deal the trade is more feasible.
- Interesting quote from Kenyatta on whether or not he's feeling the pressure to perform this offseason.
"If I'm not playing well, believe me, they're going to try to find somebody else to put in there."
Has anyone told 'Yatta Gruden drafted Trueblood in the second round?
We're gonna need a bigger boat
Hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day holiday but the weekend is almost over and it's time to get back to work.
So on that note I bring to you a fish story that has to be seen to be believed.
I'm not sure what motivates somebody to go fishing for sharks as big as your boat especially since it worked out so well for Robert Shaw.
(hat tip to The Sports Economist)
So on that note I bring to you a fish story that has to be seen to be believed.
Captain Dennis, a fishing guide in Port Charlotte, caught the 1,280-pound, 14.5-foot hammerhead over nearly six hours Tuesday, during which the shark dragged his 23-foot skiff about 12 miles out to sea. It grabbed his bait, a hefty stingray, around noon in Boca Grande Pass, famous for tarpon fishing.
I'm not sure what motivates somebody to go fishing for sharks as big as your boat especially since it worked out so well for Robert Shaw.
(hat tip to The Sports Economist)
2006-05-25
Movin' on up
After 30 years in One Buc Place the Bucs are moving into new digs sometime after training camp ends in August. And considering One Buc Place has roaches with more muscles than Martin Gramatica this is a good thing. Some of the highlights of the $35 million training facility include:
- 145,000 square feet, thrice the size of One Buc Place
- Locker and weight rooms twice the size of the old ones
- 4,000 square feet auditorium
- Dining room and kitchen
- Coach's studio and draft room(?)
- Adjacent to Raymond James stadium
- Two side-by-side enclosed practice fields with lights
- Giant steel and glass egg
Carl Crawford (still) wants to be on your fantasy team
Some guys play for money. Others play for fame. But Carl Crawford just wants to be the best fantasy player he can be.
Following an uber-fantasy game (stats below) DRays teammate Casey Fossum commented, "If you have him on your fantasy baseball team, I guess you're jumping up and down right now."
Which seemed like an odd quote for a baseball player to give until I remembered this Crawford gem from before the season.
The DRays are slowly morphing into the 2004 Rams, fantasy gangbusters but underperformers on the field. Then again the DRays are so young maybe they all have fantasy teams. In which case they might actually have a shot of winning something this year.
Crawford: 5-5, 5 hits, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 4 SB
Following an uber-fantasy game (stats below) DRays teammate Casey Fossum commented, "If you have him on your fantasy baseball team, I guess you're jumping up and down right now."
Which seemed like an odd quote for a baseball player to give until I remembered this Crawford gem from before the season.
"Nobody recognizes me. Ninety percent of the guys who picked me first in their drafts don't even know what I look like. But you know what? Putting up big fantasy numbers is part of what motivates me out there. That's another thing to play for."
The DRays are slowly morphing into the 2004 Rams, fantasy gangbusters but underperformers on the field. Then again the DRays are so young maybe they all have fantasy teams. In which case they might actually have a shot of winning something this year.
Crawford: 5-5, 5 hits, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 4 SB
2006-05-24
2006-05-23
Bulls and Bears
Considering the latest news Michael Clayton is almost certain to have a better year than last season (not that it would be hard to do). Which got me thinking, who would have a better season compared to last and who's production might slip next? Of course, if you disagree or have another Buc I did not mention whom you would like to bring up you know what to do.Bull: Clayton (372 yds, 0 TDs)
No doubt about it, Clayton was a dissapointment last season. But we can expect greater things out of him this year for three reasons. First, he's healthy. Second, he's signed a pledge. Third, he's being pushed by Maurice Stovall.
Bear: Joey Galloway (1287 yds, 10 TDs)
If Clayton is going to have a better season then it stands to reason that Galloway's production has to drop...a bit. Galloway surprised many people, including yours truly, with his play last season. I don't see that happening again this season.
Bull: Alex Smith (367 yds, 2 TDs)
Anyone else remember when Smith caught two touchdowns in his first game and everyone thought we had the next Antonio Gates? Gruden made Smith work his way into the line up the rest of the season and didn't pass Smith the ball until late in the season. Smith has proven himself to Gruden and should improve on his performance this year.
Bear: Simeon Rice (33 tackles, 14 sacks)
One year older, and one year closer to retirement for Rice. A speed rusher on the wrong side of 30 Rice is bound to see to his production diminish, especially with the emergence of DeWayne White.
Bull: Chris Simms (2035 yds, 10 TDs, 7 ints)
Yeah, I know...this is the obvious choice. Simms (and the rest of the Bucs) should benefit from the growing pains Simms went through last season. Although I will use this opportunity to mention this is the third straight season the Bucs have started the season with a different quarterback. If Simms doesn't produce this season Gruden has got some explaining to do.
Bear: Derrick Brooks (93 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 int)
Much like Rice, Brook's advantage has been his speed. Much like Ray Lewis, Brooks is bound to see his production decrease even while his accolades continue to pour in. But like Lewis if Ruud and some of the other Bucs linebackers start making plays then nobody will notice.
2006-05-22
All this Barbaro love is coming dangerously close to beastality
I was one of the 100,000+ people in attendance at the debauchery called Preakness and I could care less what happens to Barbaro. Don't get me wrong, it would be a good thing if Barbaro survived but I'm not about to start hoping and praying a horse makes it through the next couple of days.Which is why I have to wonder what motivates people to make signs for a horse? Are you hoping the horse knows how to read?
Anyway, as I mentioned I attended Preakness in Baltimore and fortunately I was not arrested while asking a police officer for directions.
The two things which make Preakness so entertaining (unlimited beer and no law enforcement) also make it a powder keg just waiting to explode. The infield of the Preakness is more akin to a giant all-day tailgate than a horse race, and the difference between the infield and the rest of the race track could not be more stark. Mud wrestling, beer slides and flashers were not uncommon fare on Saturday. I fully expect something really bad to happen at Preakness in the next couple of years. Of course all that will not stop me from attending again next year.
Unlimited beer, lax security and meatheads are always a good combination
Barber's future with Bucs remains in doubt
The Times reported this on Sunday but I will mention it again here, the Bucs are interested in reaching a contract extension with Ronde Barber. Barber is signed through the end of next season but would command more money from another team (think Dexter Jackson to the Cardinals or Bengals).
Training camp opens July 27th and the Bucs would like to bang out a new contract with Barber before then. With Penn State CB Zemaitis now on the roster it will be interesting to see if the two sides can reach an agreement.
Training camp opens July 27th and the Bucs would like to bang out a new contract with Barber before then. With Penn State CB Zemaitis now on the roster it will be interesting to see if the two sides can reach an agreement.
Tribune looking for a few good bloggers
The Tampa Tribune, in their ongoing game of catchup with the St Pete Times, is now embracing blogs. In fact they've gone one step farther than the Times and are looking for an individual interested in blogging the Bucs for the Tribune.
They had me up until the good, clean content. Oh well, maybe next year.
Are you a die-hard Bucs fan who knows the team inside and out? Would be just as comfortable ripping them for a bad third-down call, as you would giving them props for shaking up their lineup or cutting that once-valuable veteran?
TBO.com is looking for a fan who would like to contribute a Bucs blog to our growing list of sports and entertainment blogs. We're looking for some good, clean content (with a little attitude sprinkled in) that will engage our rabid base of Bucs readers in a lively online discussion of all things Bucs.
They had me up until the good, clean content. Oh well, maybe next year.
The Best Bucs Blog is looking for a few good cheerleaders
2006-05-18
EA Sports hates me having a life
Much like Pavlov's dogs my mouth starts drooling at the mention of Madden. Last year I left work just to buy Madden the first day it came out. I'll even admit to watching that horribly contrived ESPN show of the same name.
Which is why my heart skipped a beat when I saw these screen shots for the latest edition in the franchise.
Which is why my heart skipped a beat when I saw these screen shots for the latest edition in the franchise.
Quality.
(Tip of the hat to Dave)
Boston in Tampa
Problem child and often injured receiver David Boston was in Tampa to work out for the Bucs yesterday. After several stud seasons in Arizona, Boston fell off the map with his move to Miami.
Could this be another reclamation project by Gruden?
Could this be another reclamation project by Gruden?
Reggie Bush good for business
Saints set season ticket sales record.
Which is truly amazing considering only 40% of New Orleans pre-Katrina population has returned to the city (even if that returning population is largely middle class).
Which is truly amazing considering only 40% of New Orleans pre-Katrina population has returned to the city (even if that returning population is largely middle class).
2006-05-17
I got your cheerleaders right here
I've basically been goaded into mentioning this, but then again I'm a glutton for goadenment. Beginning next month the NFL Network extends its foray into reality tv (which I hear is all the rage) with "Making the Squad", which follows around a group of young nubiles trying out to become Bucs cheerleaders.
This show airs next month on the NFL Network...which I do not have. There's only one station I'll pay extra to get, HBO. Which means I will not be able to comment on the entertainment provided by bouncing bosoms, catfights, and naked pillow parties...sadly.
And Scott, ask and ye shall receive.
This show airs next month on the NFL Network...which I do not have. There's only one station I'll pay extra to get, HBO. Which means I will not be able to comment on the entertainment provided by bouncing bosoms, catfights, and naked pillow parties...sadly.
And Scott, ask and ye shall receive.
Gannon imparting Chicken McNuggets of wisdom
Former Bucs whipping boy Rich Gannon has been in Tampa to help tutor the young quarterbacks on the roster. Gannon's message to Simms and the rest...stay healthy. Quoth the former Raider:
...and to not get trucked by Derrick Brooks.
"That's really your value to a football team, to be a consistent performer and be a guy who takes care of himself physically and mentally, a guy who understands not only his strengths but also his limitations."
...and to not get trucked by Derrick Brooks.
How about you quit being tools...
Somewhere in his ramblings Tom mentioned that the Bucs official message board is looking for suggestions to make the site better. Since I've been banned from there for mentioning Ron Mexico, I'll use this site to offer my own advice...quit being a bunch of giant, completely useless douchebags.Comparing that board to Soviet Russia would be an insult to Stalin's intelligence. Example, a quote from one of that board's moderators in response to a perfectly innocent and reasonable question about the why the moderator banned a member for something the moderator was also guilty of:
DeadEagle, you have been a member here since 2004. You know very well that the Mods and Admin ALWAYS have used sig lines. We are, per definition, not members here.
In the future, if you have any questions regarding the rules, PM a Mod. Do not question the rules in public again. This is a favor as much as a warning.
Ahh, the foundation of an open and honest message board...censorship and dogmatic obedience to the rules. It's like 1984 all over again.
2006-05-15
This explains that Kurt Warner thing
As if I needed further evidence Ricky Proehl is the devil, just check out his career receptions number...666.
Proehl left the Rams for the Panthers in 2003. Kurt Warner was replaced by Marc Bulger in 2003. The Panthers made the Super Bowl in 2003. Coincidence?
Not a chance.
Will Joseph hold out?
From the every-cloud-has-a-silver-lining file, Reggie Bush has announced the last thing he wants to do is hold out for a few extra dollars. While this dashes any hope of Bush pulling a Cedric Benson, it does make it more likely Buc's first round pick Davin Joseph will not hold out.If we can take a trip in the wayback machine, Cadillac made a very similar demand a year ago. Cadillac badly wanted to be at the Orlando training camp but had to first wait for his agent, Ben Dogra, to finish a contract. Dogra didn't finish negotiations until shortly after midnight on the first day of training camp. Of course, that didn't prevent Cadillac from jumping in his car during the wee hours of the morning and making the commute out to Orlando to be with his new team.
"He got in about 3 o'clock," said roommate Michael Clayton. "And at 6:30 he jumped right out of bed because I had the alarm set and he said, 'Let's go to work Mike.' He's hungry. Guys like that always show up on time."
If there were questions about whether Bush's first year would be as successful as Cadillac's or as disappointing as Benson's this can be considered as evidence for the former. But what effect will this have on the Buc's ability to sign Joseph?
First off, I would be surprised if Joseph held out. He seems like a high character guy, which would indicate he is unlikely to sit out of training camp. But even the best intentioned player can fall victim to bad advice from a greedy agent.
Last year (with the notable exception of Cadillac) we saw a higher than normal number of first round draft picks hold out for more money. The problems started with the top of the draft class, notably first pick Alex Smith, whose contract negotiations dragged on much longer than they should have because Smith thought he was worth more than the 49ers wanted to pay him (and he hasn't been so far).
But this year's first pick, Mario Williams, has already agreed to a contract, and the second pick is eager to work a contract out. We still have another two months before training camps begin but I expect to see fewer holdouts this year than last. Although I'm sure the Falcon's first pick, Jimmy Williams, will prove to be the exception to that prediction.
2006-05-11
More Fun/Anti-Fun with Google
Stealing an idea from the vastly entertaining EDSBS, let's look at some of the results from Google's latest toy, Trends. Although I will add the side note that I can only half enjoy Google since they are helping suppress human rights in China (commie-sympathizing, money-grubbing yellow-bellied bastards). Top ten searches by location for "Bucs".
- St. Petersburg
- Tampa
- Sarasota
- Gainesville
- Orlando
- Tallahassee
- Des Moines
- Birmingham
- Baltimore
- Jacksonville
First off, suck it Tampa. Suck it long, and suck it hard. St. Petersburg is more technologically savy than you bunch of inbreeding, cow-tipping rednecks (either that or St Petersburgites are wasting more time on frivolous Google searches).
Second, what the hell is Des Moines doing at seven?
Some more fun/anti-fun with Google Trends...
Top city for searching "Gruden": Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Top city for "Ron Mexico": Albuquerque
Top cities for "herpes": New York, Mexico City, Atlanta
2006-05-09
The Rundown
Dusting off a rarely used gimmick, the Best Bucs Blog boldly brings (isn't alliteration fun?) you some of the best posts from around the web. (And yes, I should probably start using a new picture for The Rundown but the current one is just so satisfying.) Let's get this jalopy moving!Have to agree with Rays Index, much like Sapp and Keyshawn before him, we have to love/hate Delmon Young as long as he's a DRay. Of course that does not mean Young loves us back. Fandom, it's a one way street.
And while we're on the subject of baseball...hey, it's another column about Barry Bonds and the Babe. Except this one is full of wild inaccuracies and fatal flaws. (Good job Tampa Tribune, NOT.)
Has anyone else been really confused by Under Armour's latest "click clack" ad campaign? Mighty MJD has all the juicy details. Let's just say I'm not surprised that the ad campaign comes out of Baltimore.
Now if you'll excuse me Scrubs is about to start.
2006-05-08
Wanted: Fact checkers in the UK
On the heels of Scott's UK Times find comes a bit of laziness from a local newspaper. The following are recent headlines about the Bucs newest quarterback from the St Pete Times and Tampa Tribune.
Marino, Montana, Namath ... Gradkowski?
Times (6/7)
Namath, Montana, Marino ... Gradkowski?
Tribune (6/8)
Really?
Marino, Montana, Namath ... Gradkowski?
Times (6/7)
Namath, Montana, Marino ... Gradkowski?
Tribune (6/8)
Really?
Another page from the theater of the absurd
In a decision fueled entirely by commercialism Reggie Bush has petitioned the oddly named NFL Competition Committee to allow him to wear the number 5. In any other alternate universe this would be utterly un-noteworthy news except as yet another example of the crotchety old guy-ism of the NFL. But SI hack Peter King, proving once again he has lost all sense of journalistic objectivity, takes up the case in favor of Bush.King lists five reasons why the NFL should rule in favor of Bush, but in the interest of entertainment I will skip ahead to the fifth point of absurdity.
5. Helping Katrina victims. Bush is smart. Ornstein is shrewd. How about if Ornstein calls a member or two of the Competition Committee and says, "Look, Reggie will take half of his proceeds from jersey sales this year and give them to Katrina relief. Think about it. That's maybe $750,000. It might be a million. You know how far 750K goes in the Gulf Coast? It'll rebuild seven houses in the Lower Ninth Ward -- if they ever get around to having a plan for the reconstruction there.''
My complaint with King's piece lies not in his pom-pom waving for the reconstruction of New Orleans (a noble effort), but in the manner which Cheerleader King waves his pom-poms. King throws impartiality to the wind, and in the process literally puts words in someone else's mouth. The reconstruction of New Orleans has become King's latest one man crusade (at least until T.O.'s next rant) and King shows no remorse freely volunteering other people's money towards the cause. Perhaps if King has ever demonstrated his own commitment to the cause, his words would carry more weight.
In all fairness, King does not completely deserve to be the object of ridicule. In an article for Sports Illustrated magazine King writes on how the mantle of savior of New Orleans is being placed on Bush's shoulders. In a piece of anecdotal evidence, King describes how the Saints ticket sales phone lines (all 8 of them) where immediately busy after the Bush selection on Draft Saturday. Turning to more concrete evidence, the Saints sold 34,000 season tickets last season. The most season tickets the Saints have ever sold was 54,000 in 2001. So it will be interesting to see how many season tickets the Saints sell for this season.
Oh, and while we are on the subject I will guarantee that Bush's jersey (no matter what numbers he gets) will be the number one selling jersey this offseason.
2006-05-07
Happy Birthday to us
If you'll excuse our self indulgence for a moment, today we celebrate the Best Bucs Blog's one year birthday. Actually our birthday was four days ago (May 3rd), but we've never been sticklers about details here. We'd like to think we've come a long way since the drunken bar bet which led to the creation of this one horse website, but that would be giving into our delusions of grandeur. Ahhhh screw it, this blog is the best thing to happen to the Bucs since the invention of the forward pass. Consider yourself lucky I even bother to wake up in the morning...sometimes.Normally, we are supposed to be the ones receiving presents but as a wise man one said, "yada, yada, yada," or something to that effect. Enjoy the You Tube goodness.
2006-05-05
Why is the NBA better than the NFL?
For the last couple of days I have struggled to find the most apt words to describe why the NBA Playoffs are more compelling (although not more exciting) than the NFL's postseason. But then I stumbled upon this nugget of wisdom from the folks over at FreeDarko.com.
Basketball is as much a drama as it is an athletic competition, we watch it for the individuals, the LeBrons and Kobes. But if we watch people playing basketball, when it comes to the NFL we are simply watching football.
Perhaps this has more to do with the emphasis on team play in the NFL or the helmets which hide players from us, but the NFL is missing out on something by its stubborn refusal to allow players to express their individuality. Whether it's through fining players for wearing different colored socks or penalizing them for celebrating after a touchdown, the NFL has continually attempted to supress free expression among its players lest one of them offend Joe Sixpack.
Take Chad Johnson, the best thing to happen to the NFL since Ickey Woods. Johnson made last season infinitely more enjoyable (and if you disagree on this we can't be friends) and how does the NFL respond? The same way Congress would, by implementing obscure regulations to limit freedom of expression. (If you don't think I'm rooting for C.J. this season simply to see his TD celebrations you're crazy.)
Maybe you feel differently, and don't think the NFL needs to change anything else other than a few minor rules. After all, there's got to be some reason the NFL is the king of the hill in America. But me, I look at the NFL and see all this unfulfilled potential, an ability to make the league more interesting than its current cookie cutter blandness.
If this series revealed much about LeBron, it’s also taught me about my own relationship with basketball. Increasingly, I’m coming to realize that I don’t watch basketball, but instead watch people playing basketball.
Basketball is as much a drama as it is an athletic competition, we watch it for the individuals, the LeBrons and Kobes. But if we watch people playing basketball, when it comes to the NFL we are simply watching football.
Perhaps this has more to do with the emphasis on team play in the NFL or the helmets which hide players from us, but the NFL is missing out on something by its stubborn refusal to allow players to express their individuality. Whether it's through fining players for wearing different colored socks or penalizing them for celebrating after a touchdown, the NFL has continually attempted to supress free expression among its players lest one of them offend Joe Sixpack.
Take Chad Johnson, the best thing to happen to the NFL since Ickey Woods. Johnson made last season infinitely more enjoyable (and if you disagree on this we can't be friends) and how does the NFL respond? The same way Congress would, by implementing obscure regulations to limit freedom of expression. (If you don't think I'm rooting for C.J. this season simply to see his TD celebrations you're crazy.)
Maybe you feel differently, and don't think the NFL needs to change anything else other than a few minor rules. After all, there's got to be some reason the NFL is the king of the hill in America. But me, I look at the NFL and see all this unfulfilled potential, an ability to make the league more interesting than its current cookie cutter blandness.
That was fast
According to his agent, Steve McNair has reached a deal with the Ravens, in theory, for a signing bonus of $11 M and a base salary of $1 M. I write "in theory" because McNair is still property of the Titans who are trying to obtain a fourth round pick in exchange for the quarterback. Ravens have so far stopped short at offering a fifth rounder.
Stopping short isn't always a pickup move
Considering the Falcons gave away a first rounder for John Abraham, a fourth rounder isn't a lot to ask for. Hell, the Browns traded Dilfer away for a seventh rounder and a bag of chips. Safe to say McNair doesn't carry the same amount of water he used to in the league.
Note to Titans management, please feel free to slow down this process. Take a couple days or months...really, as long as you need to make your decision. It would give me something to talk about and would give McNair less time to become familiar with the Raven's offense.
Stopping short isn't always a pickup move
Considering the Falcons gave away a first rounder for John Abraham, a fourth rounder isn't a lot to ask for. Hell, the Browns traded Dilfer away for a seventh rounder and a bag of chips. Safe to say McNair doesn't carry the same amount of water he used to in the league.
Note to Titans management, please feel free to slow down this process. Take a couple days or months...really, as long as you need to make your decision. It would give me something to talk about and would give McNair less time to become familiar with the Raven's offense.
2006-05-04
Quoth the Raven, "WTF?"
With the draft excitement having come and gone, we have little to quench our thirst for the rest of this desert trek they call the offseason. With that in mind, we (and by we, we mean I, the royal we) plan on following the quarterback drama unfolding in Baltimore, including the latest and oddest turn involving a two year old. Read on...An accident could prompt the Tennessee Titans to part ways with quarterback Steve McNair sooner than they would like.
The Titans' Michael Waddell will be sidelined four to six months after suffering a knee injury while playing with his 2-year-old son, leaving Tennessee short on depth and experience at cornerback.
To make a free-agent signing, the Titans likely would have to release McNair, who counts $23 million against their salary cap. Tennessee is reportedly $112,000 under the cap.
The Raven's courthship of McNair should be the writing on the wall for Kyle Boller. Boller, a first round pick in 2003, has been given more chances than he should have and has failed to meet expectations each and every time. McNair, a shell of the player who carried his team to the Super Bowl in '99, is still a better quarterback than Boller.
2006-05-03
Who's hot for teacher?
Few tasks are as pointless and arbitrary as assigning grades less than a week after the draft. But that doesn't stop Mel Kiper Jr. and the rest from doing just that every year. And honestly I don't blame them, people are still going to read and bitch about draft grades. And as long as we keep reading them Mel Kiper Jr. will keep writing them. It's like one big never ending circle jerk.And in that spirit I bring you the Buc's draft grades from around the web and both ends of the spectrum. On one end we have Mel Kiper Jr. who takes his grades far too seriously while providing little reasoning for the grade. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Dr. Z, who injects a healthy mixture of humor and insight into his grades.
First up...
Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN.com), C+
Tampa Bay went offensive line with its first two picks: OG Davin Joseph and OT Jeremy Trueblood. Joseph might have been high for the first round, while Trueblood is tall and sometimes plays upright. Wide receiver Maurice Stovall really improved under coach Charlie Weis and was a very good third-round pick. Alan Zemaitis is a solid cornerback who has a knack for the ball.--------
John Czarnecki (Foxsports.com), C
Notre Dame receiver Maurice Stovall is a big target like Keyshawn Johnson used to be. Penn State cornerback Alan Zemaitis is a perfect cover-two cornerback in Monte Kiffin's scheme and had six interceptions last season.-------
Pete Prisco (Sportsline.com), C
Best pick: Cornerback Alan Zemaitis, the team's fourth-round pick, didn't run that well, which dropped his stock, but he's a perfect fit for what the Bucs want from their corners.-------
Worst pick: Second-round pick Jeremy Trueblood was probably taken a round too high. But the Bucs liked him.
Dr. Z (SI.com), B-
As a pair, I like choices Nos. 3 and 4 better than Nos. 1 and 2. First choice Davin Joseph is a top-grade guard, but the second pick, T Jeremy Trueblood, is a 6-8 string bean who was tied for sixth weakest among the 44 linemen who participated in the combine's grunt and heave, a.k.a. bench press.
Again, none of these grades have any meaning, so feel free to abuse them how ever you like (much like the Filipino mail order bride you have in your basement).
2006-05-02
"They stole our jobs!"
First immigrants were stealing our construction jobs, then all the McDonalds' openings, and now they're taking over the NFL positions. We need Congress to do something about this. After all, what's left for us WASPs besides cush banking jobs and spots on the PGA Tour?In all seriousness, much respect to Davin Joseph and his family. 24 years ago Davin's father, Elie, was living in Haiti when he decided it was time to get his family out of the country. Elie was able to get a one month visa to the States and ended up in South Florida. From there Elie worked his ass off to provide for his family in Florida and his family back home in Haiti.
And now Elie has a son playing in the NFL and a daughter working as a physical therapist in Gainesville. It's safe to say America has been good to the Joseph family. Land of opportunity, roads paved with gold, Scarface and all that.
2006-05-01
I Like That
In case anyone accuses me of drinking to heavily from the Hater-ade, I did like one of the Bucs draft day moves...signing undrafted rookie Andre Hall. Hall, of course, hails from the most expensive four (or five) year party in Tampa, aka USF. (Apparently Hall's SATs weren't good enough to get him into FSU.)
Since there's nothing the media loves more than the chimera of local-boy-dun-good combined with a Cinderella story (anyone remember Shaun King?), expect a few more stories on Hall if he experiences the least little bit of success. And maybe it's just the masochist in me, but I'm rooting for Hall to do well. After Cadillac the depth chart at runningback will be wide open. Michael Pittman had a stranglehold on the number two position last year but is on the wrong side of 30. And the rest of the backs on the roster are solid but unimpressive.
And just because all the cool kids are doing it, I leave you with some YouTube highlights of the former Bull.
Since there's nothing the media loves more than the chimera of local-boy-dun-good combined with a Cinderella story (anyone remember Shaun King?), expect a few more stories on Hall if he experiences the least little bit of success. And maybe it's just the masochist in me, but I'm rooting for Hall to do well. After Cadillac the depth chart at runningback will be wide open. Michael Pittman had a stranglehold on the number two position last year but is on the wrong side of 30. And the rest of the backs on the roster are solid but unimpressive.
And just because all the cool kids are doing it, I leave you with some YouTube highlights of the former Bull.
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