The format of this weekly article is to praise 3 good players, point out 3 bad players, and expose the player who had the ugliest performance of the game. With the results and performance of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus the Saints, it's impossible to follow this format this week. I'm going to have to fly by the seat of my pants this week.
The Unbelievable - Joey Galloway...what else can be said about this guy. After and injury plagued beginning to his career, this guy is like a fine wine. He's getting better with age. Watching Joey blaze down the field leaving kids 2/3 his age in his wake made me think of Julio Franco. For those of you not baseball fans, Franco is a guy that has played baseball at a competitive level deep into his late 40's. The violence of the sport of football would never allow that, but one has to wonder after watching Galloway today, just how long will he play.
The Awesome - Barrett Ruud...wow Ruud is the real deal. I thought he played well last week at Seattle. He had his critics last week, for what reason I couldn't understand. This week however though, he gave every Buccs fans hope and proof that there will be life after Shelton Quarels. Ruud was instinctive, attacking, smart and explosive in his play today. He caused 3 fumbles in the first 5 minutes of play, and was laying some serious lumber. Plenty of Saints won't forget #51 after today.
The Great - Jeff Garcia...was on target today. He was hitting his receivers between the numbers, hitting guys in stride and creating plays when the pocket did break down. Jeff's passes were crisp, strong and accurate. He showed complete control of the offense and game plan, and played flawlessly. Ig he and galloway can stay healthy for a couple more years, the future could be bright.
The Good - A:Offensive line...Garcia was hit once today. Hit, not sacked...hit. That is so fulfilling as a fan to watch after the performances of our O-line for the past decade. They did have a few breakdowns, which was to be expected. Saints front 7 is no bush league group. Trueblood was pancaking people, Joseph and Sears were blowing their guys 5 yards off the line, and wade held his own. The fact that Smith finished sackless says all you need to know about how Petitgout performed.
B:Cadillac Williams...played hard today wearing a "homemade" rib protection contraption made by Trainer Todd Torcilli. Caddy showed no ill effects from last week's rib injury, and ran hard all day long. He started off slow, and the production wasn't there starting off with 7 yards on 7 carries. As the game wore on Caddy's production increased. Caddy has a reputation of getting stronger as the game goes on, and that was on display today. Caddy found the endzone for the first time in 209 carries, and followed that up with an encore TD later in the game.
C:Cato June....this dude flies around the field like he's on roller skates. One has to wonder why the Colts let this guy go. He recorded the first interception of his Buccaneer career, and along with Ruud was laying down some punishment today. With some crazy good defensive picks in this year's draft, and June still being a young guy, this defense has a good future ahead of them.
D:Tanard Jackson...first two games of this kid's young career and he has seriously impressed. The most exciting part about him is the fact that his game still has room for improvement. Jackson has showed good grasp of the defense, quickness, confidence and a knack for laying some smack. All you heard today was the smacking of helmets and pads today by the defense and TJ was a big part of that. His play on special teams makes this kid so valuable right now. What a steal in the 4th round.
E:Defensive line....the entire defensive line and the replacements kept Brees off balance and with happy feet today. Words can't explain the excitement I got watching guys like Haye, Peterson and White making splash plays. Adams had another batted pass, and Hovan was clogging the running lanes as usual. Was New Orleans O-line that bad or are we Bucc fans in for a real treat with these yound D-linemen.
The Ugly - ABuccsFan....my total and complete psychological breakdown last week after a horrible performance at Seattle was pretty funny. After waiting nine months for football and monitoring the Buccs all offseason on a daily basis, one comes to expect good things. I thought the offensive performance last week was inexcusable. It was very refreshing watching today what Garcia has to offer this offense. Now if the Buccs can achieve what they're capable of for the rest of the season, they may keep me from being admitted to an Insane Asylum. Anybody have any Prozac they can loan me?
...JJC/ABuccsFan
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment