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Question: I have been a Bucs' fans since the orange and white days. I always think my Bucs have a chance. Given the flip-flop pattern of the NFC South and the new life we have (from Jeff Garcia), what are the odds of a playoff berth? --Walt
I'm not quite ready to say that the odds of a postseason appearance are good, based on one victory in two games.
The 31-14 win over New Orleans was impressive, but I think that had as much to do with the Saints' surprising ineptitude as it did with the Bucs' performance. I also can't allow myself to forget that this is the same Buccaneer team that lost its opener, 20-6, to Seattle.
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Still, there are reasons to be optimistic about your favorite team's future. You mentioned the first, Garcia. Jon Gruden has been allowing him to throw more passes downfield than one would normally expect in an offense that features more short and intermediate passing. When Garcia goes deep, he has been having success connecting with Joey Galloway, another reason to like the Buccaneers' chances.
What I like best about Gruden's scheme and play-calling is the way he patiently works to set up the big strike. He'll have Garcia repeatedly throw short crossing routes and swing passes to his wideouts and running back Michael Pittman until the defense adjusts to take away the short zone. Then, bang! Garcia will launch one deep to Galloway. That should be a key to helping Tampa Bay win its second game on Sept. 23 against the St. Louis Rams, whose secondary is vulnerable.
Another major plus for the Bucs is the addition of rookie defensive end Gaines Adams, who has quickly emerged as a force as a pass-rush specialist. He is extremely quick off the ball and relentless in pursuit. He figures to have a big day against Alex Barron, who was forced to shift from right to left offensive tackle to replace the injured Orlando Pace.
Nevertheless, I need to see more overall progress from the Bucs before I'll be convinced they're a playoff team. Winning against the very beatable Rams would be a big step in that direction.
Week 3 matchups to watch
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There are many intriguing games this weekend, including Cowboys-Bears, Steelers-49ers, and Colts-Texans. As we get ready for all of the action, Gil Brandt takes a look at nine matchups worth watching in Week 3. Full story ...
Question: I am a Chicago Bears fan from north of the 49th parallel. Are you honestly telling your readers that the only 1-1 team on your power rankings list, Arizona, is the best 1-1 team in the NFL? I can see at least five teams in your "middle of the pack" grouping that are easily stronger teams than the Cardinals, including the NFC Champion Chicago Bears. I know Rex Grossman struggles; that has been well documented. But how can you come to this conclusion with the Cardinals, a team that has struggled for much of its franchise's history? And let's be honest, a team that nobody expects to make the playoffs. --Grant
For one thing, their long history of struggling has absolutely nothing to do with this year's team. I firmly believe the Cards have made plenty of outstanding moves to improve themselves, beginning with the hiring of new coach Ken Whisenhunt and his staff. His considerable offensive expertise has brought immediate improvement to that side of the ball. It is early in his second season, but Matt Leinart already has made significant progress. He is making quicker and better decisions with the ball, and it helps that the offensive line has stepped up its performance under the guidance of Russ Grimm. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald form as dangerous a receiving tandem as any in the league, and Leinart continues to develop great chemistry with them. Towering tight end Leonard Pope is also a dominant force, especially in the red zone. In addition, Edgerrin James has made huge strides and is now bringing balance to the offense with his explosive running.
I like the way Cards defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast mixes up his defensive fronts, alternating between a 4-3 and 3-4 look, and blitz packages. He makes particularly good use of safety Adrian Wilson. And nose tackle Gabe Watson is a load in the middle.
I suspect the rushing attack should show noticeable improvement now that Kevin Jones appears to be recovered from the foot injury that kept him out of the first two games.
Your point about the ground game benefiting from the Lions' wide-open passing is well taken. Tatum Bell, Jones and the team's other backs presumably should have more running room because opposing defenses are focused more on stopping the pass. But remember, Mike Martz is Detroit's offensive coordinator and his throw-first mentality is a factor in the Lions ranking near the bottom of the league in rushing offense. It's hard to establish much of a running game when your offense is often in four-receiver sets with one back. Of course, four-receiver sets make sense when you have as much pass-catching talent as the Lions have.
Still, I think getting Jones back into the mix should help the rushing cause. His ability to catch the ball should actually do as much to help open up running plays as the rest of the Lions' passing game.
"(Jones' return) does nothing but boost us on offense," quarterback Jon Kitna told reporters in Detroit. "He helps in the passing game and the running game. It adds a guy who's a pretty dynamic talent."
Question: Do you think the league will make a change in the offseason to where timeouts are called on the field only instead of the sidelines? My question is in light of what happened during the Oakland-Denver game this past weekend. Mike Shanahan called a timeout just before the snap as Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 52-yard field goal which would have given the Raiders victory. As you know, it was nullified because of the timeout and on Janikowski's next attempt it hit the top of the upright and the Broncos went on to victory. This has to stop because if timeouts are being called on the sidelines the players won't notice until hearing the whistle blow and therefore will cause successful attempts of field goals to be taken away. It's one thing to freeze the kicker, but to do it directly before the snap from the sidelines is another! --Carey L.
I don't think you're going to see such a rules change because coaches will never relinquish control over timeouts. Even ones called by players on the field are usually done at the behest of the coach.
Also, if timeouts were only called on the field, what would have prevented a Bronco player from waiting until just before the snap to call a timeout as Shanahan did? Certainly, that is a tactic he could have instructed a player to utilize as well.
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