Yet another losing season casualty...

[tBBP]

This one kinda caught me off guard. Here's the story.

Now I understand McFarland may have been underachieving a bit this year (hell--the WHOLE TEAM HAS, that's why they're 1-5), but damn! This guy Bruce Allen has yet again managed to let go of a key cog (the first two being Warren Sapp and John Lynch--who they should have NEVER let go). This guy was brought in to supplant Sapp (who I wasn't too mad to see let go), and now he's gone. This saddens me as a staunch Buccaneer loyalist. But then, I look further down the chart and see Wyms and Spires and them, and then it doesn't sting so much. Plus, I suppose he HAS been making some good moves lately, so I'll see how this one pans out.

Maybe I'm all t'd by this because McFarland was one of the few D-players I actually got to know...so I could say I'm looking at this though a different set of eyes. But ah well...

Bye bye, Booger. Have fun with your former head coach Dungy up there. Imma miss ya big dawg!

(Not that it matters, but the Bucs also just picked up recently released Texans CB Philip Buchanon, who came into the league with the Raiders...the team that Mr. GM Allen used to be GM of, and that, as we all all know, Gruden used to be the head coach of. I'm just saying, you know? Doug Jolley, Rickey Dudley, that tryout with Tim Brown...not trying to split hairs here, I'm just saying...)

[TBGKon]

As a Bucs fan myself, it does hurt to see Booger go. But you have to admit, as a replacement for Sapp, he hasn't done much to be on par with Sapp.

As for Buchanon, if he does well, this could bode the end for Jermaine Philips, who hasn't been himself lately.

[whitedawg22]

I think this is a great trade for the Bucs, and probably not so much for the Colts.

The Bucs are a team that isn't going deep into the playoffs within the next few years anyway. It looks like they're going to groom BG as the QB of the future, they still need to solidify their O-line, and their D is still good but will need a few years and some smart moves to be dominant again. It's too bad, because I don't see Rice/Brooks/Quarles/Barber making a significant contribution to a great team again. In 3-4 years, McFarland will be an aging vet with a large contract, an area that we can call "Warren Sapp territory." DTs that depend on their quickness like Booger generally don't age that well. But a high draft pick next year will just be entering his prime when the Bucs have a chance to be good again, and will be much cheaper in the meantime.

But the Colts... well, this trade definitely makes them better this year, since they needed something to fix their atrocious run defense. But this is a team that has chosen to focus their payroll on their offensive stars, so they are in need of young, cheap talent on defense, which sounds much more like a second round pick than an 8-year vet who is halfway through a $31 million contract. He makes $12.35 million in the next two seasons, and I can't help but wonder, even though the salary cap ballooned this year, who they will have to cut now that they picked up Booger. This takes them more and more down the path of having a handful of high-priced stars (Manning, Harrison, Wayne, Freeney, Simon, Booger, Glenn, Diem) and a bunch of minimum-wage guys (the "Redskins plan"), which is exactly the opposite of the team plan that has been proven to lead to consistent success by teams such as the Patriots and Eagles. In coming seasons, I think a second-round pick that would have been paid less than a mil a season for the next 3-5 years would be much more valuable, since they could use the extra money to sign a guy who comes close to Boog's quality and effectively have two quality players for the price of one.

[OB33]

I guess I'm obligated to say something here. I like the move because although it does hurt us down the road, this team isn't built to win down the road, it's built to win now. McFarland might be in decline but he will take up space that teams have been using to keep Freeney from doing much of anything this year (0 sacks, 4 tackles). Hopefully that, plus having Bob Sanders coming back this week should give the defense a kick start which we'll need against Washington to stop Clinton Portis & co.

[sj32]

Probably a good deal for both teams. The Bucs unload a big salary for a declining player in a losing season and get a second-round pick. The Colts knew they were going to have to pay through the nose to get a DT and they get one who knows their defense after playing for Dungy for three seasons. With Corey Simon gone for the year, they didn't have much of a choice, particularly when they rank last in the NFL against the run.

[FiddySicks]

What we shouldve done is not wasted money on that POS Kenyatta Walker. We need to go out and pick up guys who can accually block worth a damn. We cant pass or run against a strong wind this year, and thats because of a once again worthless O Line. We've got Gradkowski, who I see a ton of potential in, Williams, who is one of the best backs in the league, Galloway, one of the fastest guys in the league, Alstott, who is still amazingly underrated even in his old age, Alex Smith, who broke out last season, and a ton of others who are basically rendered useless because of the cardboard cutouts we have blocking for us.

[tBBP]

What we shouldve done is not wasted money on that POS Kenyatta Walker. We need to go out and pick up guys who can accually block worth a damn. We cant pass or run against a strong wind this year, and thats because of a once again worthless O Line. We've got Gradkowski, who I see a ton of potential in, Williams, who is one of the best backs in the league, Galloway, one of the fastest guys in the league, Alstott, who is still amazingly underrated even in his old age, Alex Smith, who broke out last season, and a ton of others who are basically rendered useless because of the cardboard cutouts we have blocking for us.

That I can agree with you on. The O-line couldn't block wind period this season. But, they are also young, too. Hopefully they can keep them together long enough to get them to learn how to play together and block good together. Who knows? Maybe they can become the next KC Chiefs or Seattle Seahawks line of two years ago? (A man can wish, can't he?)

On a whole 'nother note, the kid Gradkowski has a LOT of upside. That's a dengerous term to throw out there--upside--but he seems to have it. Is that to say C. Simms is gone after the season? I wouldn't necessarily go THAT far...but I wouldn't be surprised to see Graddie running the first team in '07. Seems the offense is getting younger and better (well, once the O-line gets shored up and learns to block somebody). The D? Well...lemme be honest--the group of stars we've all "grown up with"--okay, at least me, I AM just 24 here--all are on their way out. Tiki's already contemplating retirement; could Ronde be not too far behind? As much as it's gon pain me when it happens, I don't think my cousin D. Brooks is going to be around much longer--I give him three more years at best--and then Quarles, who ain't too far behind Bo in age, could be on the way out too. I think the offensive re-building project has been taking root for some time--am I the only one who sees Maurice Stovall stepping into the "burner" role now held by Galloway once he's retired? (And Galloway is up there in age, too.) Time to start getting some depth into other areas of the defense besides 'backer, where we are WELL stocked.

(bucfan56, I think we've already covered this ground, but now cool is it that we BOTH got cousins playin for our favorite squads???)

[FiddySicks]

What we shouldve done is not wasted money on that POS Kenyatta Walker. We need to go out and pick up guys who can accually block worth a damn. We cant pass or run against a strong wind this year, and thats because of a once again worthless O Line. We've got Gradkowski, who I see a ton of potential in, Williams, who is one of the best backs in the league, Galloway, one of the fastest guys in the league, Alstott, who is still amazingly underrated even in his old age, Alex Smith, who broke out last season, and a ton of others who are basically rendered useless because of the cardboard cutouts we have blocking for us.

That I can agree with you on. The O-line couldn't block wind period this season. But, they are also young, too. Hopefully they can keep them together long enough to get them to learn how to play together and block good together. Who knows? Maybe they can become the next KC Chiefs or Seattle Seahawks line of two years ago? (A man can wish, can't he?)

On a whole 'nother note, the kid Gradkowski has a LOT of upside. That's a dengerous term to throw out there--upside--but he seems to have it. Is that to say C. Simms is gone after the season? I wouldn't necessarily go THAT far...but I wouldn't be surprised to see Graddie running the first team in '07. Seems the offense is getting younger and better (well, once the O-line gets shored up and learns to block somebody). The D? Well...lemme be honest--the group of stars we've all "grown up with"--okay, at least me, I AM just 24 here--all are on their way out. Tiki's already contemplating retirement; could Ronde be not too far behind? As much as it's gon pain me when it happens, I don't think my cousin D. Brooks is going to be around much longer--I give him three more years at best--and then Quarles, who ain't too far behind Bo in age, could be on the way out too. I think the offensive re-building project has been taking root for some time--am I the only one who sees Maurice Stovall stepping into the "burner" role now held by Galloway once he's retired? (And Galloway is up there in age, too.) Time to start getting some depth into other areas of the defense besides 'backer, where we are WELL stocked.

(bucfan56, I think we've already covered this ground, but now cool is it that we BOTH got cousins playin for our favorite squads???)

Yeah im thinkin the stars dont have a whole lot longer to go. and yes, it freaking rules that the two biggest Bucs fans on the board have cousins playing on their team. Of course, Doug Jolley isnt quite what Derrick Brooks is.

[whitedawg22]

am I the only one who sees Maurice Stovall stepping into the "burner" role now held by Galloway once he's retired? (And Galloway is up there in age, too.)

B, I agree with most of what you said, but don't look for Stovall to be the deep threat. The kid's good and all, but he doesn't have top-end speed (4.57 at the combine). I watched a lot of Notre Dame football, and he definitely falls into the possession category. They'll probably need to go out and get one of those young WRs with speed (like Mario Manningham?), because nobody will respect the deep ball against a team starting Stovall and Clayton.

[hormone]

As a die hard, I feel I have to comment...

I'm sad to see Booger go on the sentimental level, but realistically he's an underachiever, overpaid, and often hurt for many games at a time. Heck, we won an SB with him in sweat pants.

Here's my comments about the team...they are full of underachievers. I think the loss of some D coaches show on that side of the ball. How many times have you heard Barber/Rice/Brooks' names this year? Bolden is horrid, so that is where the bulk of the passes go since BK is hurt. What about dropped INTs? They dropped one at the end of the Panther game that would have sealed it. Also, they let Delhomme of all people scramble for the first down to win the game. Buchannon isn't the answer. He's been around the league with not much success. What's he going to do besides challenge Boldin for getting burned the most? Getting rid of Lynch is the one that hurt as a fan and as talent. It seems he still makes pro bowls.

The O-Line stinks. 'Nuff said.

The playcalling stinks. I remember they had the ball at the 50 near 1/2 time of the Saints game and just took a knee. Why not throw it up? Let's get away from the run, run, short pass stuff too.

Clayton. Wow, that underachiever showed up for one week. Let's see if he can keep it rolling. I don't see why a core of Galloway, Clayton, Hilliard, and Stovall can't catch some balls.

Special teams stinks. The kicker can't make anything and the PR can't tackle with the game on the line and it showed in NO.

Chris Simms. Please, let him go. He's terrible. He's good for at least 2 INTs and 20 deflected passes per game. He has no mobility. Develop Grad. There's no use in drafting one because TB is notorious for doing nothing with QB talent (Steve Young, Vinnie T, Doug Williams).

Use Mike A a little more. If you use him for the three times a game that it's either 3rd or 4th and 1, they know what is coming.

Last year we won the close ones, this year we aren't and it shows. Age is starting to show a little too...especially on the D side. You're telling me after one year it was that much of a drop off in talent after winning the NFCS?

[tBBP]

yep...it's one of those years. The team just ain't got the resolve this year.

And hormone, I TRULY COMPLETELY AND 100% AGREE that the loss of all those great coaching assistants is starting to show. Not that he's doing all that great now, but we all saw what Herman Edwards (former DB coach) did up in NY (well, he had them playing harder if nothing else for a lil' while), we see what Lovie Smith (former LB coach) did in St. Louis before he took over in Chicago, hell--even Marinelli (former D-line coach) is starting to work some magic with the Lions (about as much magic as you can work with a team run by a complete tool). And each of those teams now has a lil bit of that late 90's Buccaneer in them now--especially the Colts, who have our former head coach. (I understand at the time that the offense wasn't getting it done and so in that regard the head honchos felt Dungy had to go, but he handpicked and BUILT that team...I'm still a lil skeptical about Mr. Gruden here, although he has seemed as of late to ease up off his love of veteran players, which at one time had the Bucs as one of the oldest teams in the league). Anyway, getting back to my original point, the loss of all those great position coaches is really being felt. Mr. Kiffin is also starting to suffer from it, too. (And why in the hell isn't this guy a head coach somewhere by now? As I recall he got interviewed for the Bucs' spot before they gave it to Gruden, but then when he thought about jumping ship the team basically put the reins on him.)

I think it's time this team got one collective boot up its full-point of contact (military for @$$) and got it kicked into gear. And maybe that victory over Cincinnati MIGHT be a starting point. Maybe...

Hey Mr. hormone...since you're also in the Pittsburgh area (where exactly, though?), you DO know what 3 December is, don't you? Yep--Buccaneers at Steelers. You plan on breaking out the Buc gear? I know I'm declaring that whole week leading up to that my personal Buccaneer pride week. I ain't finna let these daggone yinzers and such--or ANY of Steeler Nation--make me back down...I'm standing UP for mine!

[hormone]

yep...it's one of those years. The team just ain't got the resolve this year.

Hey Mr. hormone...since you're also in the Pittsburgh area (where exactly, though?), you DO know what 3 December is, don't you? Yep--Buccaneers at Steelers. You plan on breaking out the Buc gear? I know I'm declaring that whole week leading up to that my personal Buccaneer pride week. I ain't finna let these daggone yinzers and such--or ANY of Steeler Nation--make me back down...I'm standing UP for mine!

You're darn right I know what that is. I've seen the Bucs live 2 times. Once in pre-season a few years ago in Cleveland (which I will be at on Xmas eve day) and once so long ago in Pitt in pre-season that it was in three rivers and we wore orange pants

I'm going there in full gear. My g/f and her family are die hard Steeler fans with front row season tickets. Believe me, it's on. I have bets (friendly of course) with the students I teach and everything. I was going to go old school orange, but now it's cool to be old school (I want people to know I'm not wearing it now, I've worn it as a kid my whole life) and it'll probably be cold so I'll be in cold weather gear which is all current stuff. Since the bus is broke down, now's the time to show you need to drive a Caddy or ride the A-Train!!!

If you wanna know exactly where I live and work, I could PM it. I just don't think I should be broadcasting that over the net even though it would be impossible to figure out, I just get weird at that stuff.

[FiddySicks]

As a die hard, I feel I have to comment...

I'm sad to see Booger go on the sentimental level, but realistically he's an underachiever, overpaid, and often hurt for many games at a time. Heck, we won an SB with him in sweat pants.

Here's my comments about the team...they are full of underachievers. I think the loss of some D coaches show on that side of the ball. How many times have you heard Barber/Rice/Brooks' names this year? Bolden is horrid, so that is where the bulk of the passes go since BK is hurt. What about dropped INTs? They dropped one at the end of the Panther game that would have sealed it. Also, they let Delhomme of all people scramble for the first down to win the game. Buchannon isn't the answer. He's been around the league with not much success. What's he going to do besides challenge Boldin for getting burned the most? Getting rid of Lynch is the one that hurt as a fan and as talent. It seems he still makes pro bowls.

The O-Line stinks. 'Nuff said.

The playcalling stinks. I remember they had the ball at the 50 near 1/2 time of the Saints game and just took a knee. Why not throw it up? Let's get away from the run, run, short pass stuff too.

Clayton. Wow, that underachiever showed up for one week. Let's see if he can keep it rolling. I don't see why a core of Galloway, Clayton, Hilliard, and Stovall can't catch some balls.

Special teams stinks. The kicker can't make anything and the PR can't tackle with the game on the line and it showed in NO.

Chris Simms. Please, let him go. He's terrible. He's good for at least 2 INTs and 20 deflected passes per game. He has no mobility. Develop Grad. There's no use in drafting one because TB is notorious for doing nothing with QB talent (Steve Young, Vinnie T, Doug Williams).

Use Mike A a little more. If you use him for the three times a game that it's either 3rd or 4th and 1, they know what is coming.

Last year we won the close ones, this year we aren't and it shows. Age is starting to show a little too...especially on the D side. You're telling me after one year it was that much of a drop off in talent after winning the NFCS?

Two thing you hit right on the head. Boldin is the biggest waste of space ever!! Remember the Pats game last year? Ive never seen anyone get tortched qutie that badly. And yes, please use Alstott more. Sure hes older but look at the success they had running him head on into the defense. In fact, IMO Allstott is a no doubt HOFer. What do you guys think?

Man a win this week against Philly would be a booster. Hell, it could very easily save our season.