Tampa, Florida					Thursday, September 09, 2010

Jags: Okay, Bucs: Oh, My, After 14-6 Jax Win
Saturday, August 21, 2004
TAMPA—The Tampa Bay Bucs played lousy (or, is it lousily) in their two 14-6 beating by Jacksonville in the Jaguar Stadium Friday night. All who cared know that. And, the Jacksonville Jags played just fine—certainly fine enough to win and know they should have—in their two touchdowns to a two field goal win in the second pre-season game of this new season. The Bucs can give their most valuable player badges to their two kickers, field goal man Martin Gramatica who kicked two, of 43 and 44 yards, and new punter Josh Bidwell, who averaged 44 yards on 8 punts. There were absolutely no other candidates for MVP on the Bucs. None. Certainly, none on offense. The Jags have many choices, including quarterback Byron Leftwich who had one long touchdown pass nullified when an official said his star receiver Jimmy Smith did not have possession of an apparent scoring throw, according to officials, but clearly did, according to television. Offensively, the Jags could give the MVP award to their defense, usually a choice of the Buccaneers. Not Friday night. It was all Jax, all Jax defense up front. They are big, formidable, good. Statistics don’t mean much, but here are a couple that did Friday at Jax--for the Jags, and against the Bucs. Tampa had 152 yards gained on 53 offensive plays—53 yards, no TDs, only the two FGS by Gramatica when rookie Chris Simms was quarterbacking. third-string quarterbacking. The Bucs advanced a third down to a first down only two of 14 attempts. Simms, yes, the son of the other Simms, played well enough in relief of Brian Griese, yes, the son of that other Griese, who had relieved Buc starter Brad Johnson after only two series. Simms won enough praise for his work (13-23-10, no TDs but a couple of positive scrambles) and promotion by fans to No. 2 QB. Johnson got no grade, but, for the moment, stays No. 1. Griese got a low mark. He had a bad game. Seemed nervous. Simms, got an A for the Friday game, some think. However, Buc Coach Jon Gruden chose not to play his projected best receivers and did not go long, did not go down field much, after the first shot by Johnson early that was batted into an interception. No, the Bucs get no top marks anywhere, except on the	kicking game, both field goal and punting, and on coverage. The Buc defense has a way to go, the offense has to go all the way. It is stuck in neutral, from the get-go. The Buc running backs got no real changes. No grades there. Joey Galloway, the celebrated ex-Dallas Cowboy, played only the first couple of downs. New Buc running back, Charley Garne, proven as an running back in the NFL, before his arrival in Tampa, did not play at Jax. Indeed, the Jags were in control from the start, though Coach Jack Del Rio chose not to play his studs much, like the accomplished Fred Taylor, not much at all. Hard to tell how good this Jacksonville team is. But, it is big and it is strong and on offense, versatile, though the quarterback, like that of the Bucs is suspect. But, he did play three quarterbacks and all and had some success. In truth, it was a bad game all around. It was dull, unimaginative, seemed to being played dutifully, but generally without enthusiasm, by either side. The Bucs surely discovered their primary weakness, offense, and foremost shortness of that weakness, the offensive line, is far from set. In truth, the Jags seem to be on track with a long range plan. Jacksonville looks like a playoff contender, so far. The Bucs are still without personality, without a passing game, yet. However, that may be because Coach Gruden chose to build a new team here, with wholesale changes. Guess here is the Miami game this weekend ahead will be the important effort of the pre-season. The Bucs surely will have to show their colors this weekend against the Dolphins. It is certain, fans who pay so much for these tickets will be an unhappy lot if the Tampa team does not demonstrate it too may be in the playoff chase, or, could be. Fans just haven‘t seen much of anything so far and many have to be unnerved, uneasy by this, by the Jacksonville defeat when only the kicking game was solid. Buc patron hopes for 2004-05 were never all that high. But, they were not that uncertain either, as that lousy effort at Jacksonville suggested maybe they out to be. So far there’s no joy in Tampaville so far this season, for the mighty Bucs have so far struck out. ##
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