Tampa, Florida					Monday, September 06, 2010

A Win Is A Win, Is a Win. . .
Sunday, November 7, 2004
TAMPA—They played an unexpectedly wild one at Raymond James Stadium Sunday, the kind of NFL game most want to see—but not to lose, of course, least of all the loser of this one. The defense tough—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—went on the offense out of necessity against the offensive power house Kansas City Chiefs and won the game 34-31 after three and a half hours of having at it. It was a game that featured nine touchdowns, seven lead changes, a one yard touchdown run and one of 78 yards by Michael Pittman of the Bucs. It was a game of lineup changes. It was a game in which the Bucs came out passing and no-huddling, that first wild drive making it to the Chiefs’ one yard line from where Pittman scored over the middle on fourth down for a 14-7 lead. But, it would be a very temporary lead in this swing of repeated momentum changes, that led to a total of seven lead changes. “The play was a lesson,’’ said Buc Coach Gruden afterwards. “We teach players not to give up on a play and on this one our guys didn’t,’’ and all learned from it, he said. Gruden clearly was holding back. Kansas City, the scoring darlings of the NFL, came to Tampa on an offensive high, more than 70 points in the two previous games, both wins. But, the Bucs were ready for the Chiefs, offensively and defensively, leading 21-27 in the second period, 28-24 in the third, and then 34-31 when time ran out on the point-making marathon. When it was over, Green in defeat had passed for 32 completions in 42 attempts for his 369 yards touchdowns, two interceptions, one in the Buc end zone by Jermaine Phillips, and one by Dwight Smith, while in victory, young Griese had passed for his 296 net yards on 22 completions in 34 passes, but no interceptions, a difference. “We put in some misdirection plays, yes, some new looks and plays,’’ said Gruden, “and thought we were ready. Kansas City is a good team, of course. But, we have come a long way lately (with Griese at quarterback and Brad Johnson a spectator now), and hope we may surprise somebody down the line.’’ Griese was obviously happy at his opportunities in Tampa and what he has done with them, but “while we have played better and won games, the reality of it is we are still 3-5 and have a way to go.’’ Few Buc fans and fewer in the Tampa uniform were happy with the officiating, though while the punishments of the Bucs were more serious and game affecting, each team wound up with 10 flags at their feet, for 97 yards against KC and 95 against the Bucs. Two challenges of calls went against Tampa, and the sellout crowd of over 65,000 made their feelings known on this classic cool Fall afternoon of offensive fireworks. A new Buc in uniform after injuries, wideout Joey Galloway, late of the Dallas Cowboys, made two key receptions of 20 yards each. Both were acrobatic. But, rookie Michael Clayton remained the Buc receiving leader, on this day catching five Griese balls for 90 yards. The receiving standout was expected. It was KC tight end Tony Gonzalez with 9 receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown. His score was a leaping, two-handed	catch at the end zone high over the defenders for the 23 yards, six points and a 2-21 lead. “Brian Griese is our leader,’’ said Galloway. “It was fun. The sky’s the limit for us now, with Atlanta next up there and so on. We now are different. We have a different swagger in the huddle, and my hat is off to number eight (Griese).’’ Don’t know about the Buc swagger in the huddle but clearly there was one on the playing field, in action. The Bucs began the game all out. They began with dash and daring. They began and continued to play with spirit and with speed. They played without huddling up most of the time. They also played with misdirection. Running back Pittman seemed a step faster. Griese clearly is now comfortable in the offense under Gruden. He was clearly in charge out there. And he called game of surprises, some obviously surprises to the losing KC. “What you saw was the West Coast offense,’’said Griese. “You saw a lot or rollouts, and misdirections, reverses, fake reverses, flea-flickers, down the field passes and those to the flats. It was a nifty day for Tampa fans, and perhaps a surprise for the Chiefs. The Bucs now under Gruden are a different team. The Bucs have different players in some positions. They also fit well and seem to confident. Griese is now the quarterback and a vastly improved one. Galloway has moved into the lineup, and wideout Joe Jurivicous is back in the lineup. Downside of the afternoon for the Bucs was that injury to center Wade, a top man on this team, one to offensive tackle Kenyetta Walker and to defensive lineman Anthony McFarland and the continuing uncertainty of place-kicker Martin Gramatica. The kicker missed a 46-yard field goal attempt for a 17-17 tie at the half, and then missed an extra point in the fourth quarter that would have put Tampa ahead 35-31, The Bucs held on to win 34-31, but the extra point Gramatica did not add, put more pressure on all involved. The center snap was high for the PAT try, but it was down in time. Gramatica hit it poorly. Our place kicking is a concern,’’ said Gruden after the game. But, no, no changes in kickers is now on the charts. A kickoff also was high and short. And the Buc punting won no honors either. But, the Bucs won a game they could not afford to lose. The Chiefs, perhaps a better team on paper at kickoff, could probably absorb this loss easier, but a win remains a win, is a win, is a win. A point of interest: Griese is now four of four against the Chiefs in any uniform. Now, this game finished as those predicting a win might have bet, with the Buc defense on the field, and facing a Chief fourth and a lot for a shot at the game tying field goal, by KC. No way. KC QB Green was sacked by Tampa backup tackle Dewayne White, though the Bucs rushed only three men. The Chiefs seemed tired. They also were the 34-31 loser. Tampa had stopped the Chiefs on four shots, any one of which would have provided a chance at a tying field goal. Martin Gramatica was off the hook. Or, better, avoided the hook. ##
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