After 12 weeks of NFL action, my Bucs are sitting pretty at 7-4 with a comfortable two-game cushion over the talented but underachieving New Orleans Saints. We had a scare yesterday when quarterback and team MVP Jeff Garcia was sidelined with a lower back bruise early in the game against the Washington Redskins. Backup Bruce Gradkowski--who "led" the team to a dismal 4-12 record a year ago--proved a valiant, if undertalented, substitute and did his part by avoiding turnovers and protecting the football.
Tampa Bay achieved a grand total of zero (0) first downs in the second half, and after leading 19-3 at halftime, found itself barely hanging onto a 19-13 advantage with less than two minutes remaining in the game and Washignton driving hard toward the endzone.
The defense carried the day, however, coming up with two monumental fourth-quarter interceptions to run the turnover ratio on the day to +6 and sealing the heart-wrenching victory for the Bucs.
Good teams find ways to win when adversity strikes--when an MVP is rendered immobile. The Buccaneers proved yesterday that they are a good team, well coached, and prepared to battle for every yard this season.
For now, however, the Jeff Garcia watch is in full swing. We play New Orleans at the Superdome on Sunday...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment