Dec 15th 2008 9:00AM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Falcons, NFC SouthThe Falcons had long ago exceeded any expectations for the 2008 season, but on Sunday, they just added to coach Mike Smith’s now-impressive resume.

The Falcons had to wait until Jason Elam’s overtime field goal to knock off the Bucs in a key NFC South game, keeping the team’s playoff hopes alive, but this was a game that the team had almost wrapped up several times before.

If backup tight end Jason Radar hadn’t fumbled at the one-yard line, the Falcons could have put this game away during regulation. If Matt Ryan hadn’t actually looked like a rookie on a couple of plays, the Falcons could have put the game away. If Michael Koenen hadn’t had a punt blocked in the final three minutes of regulation, Atlanta would have walked off winners without the need for an overtime.Continue Reading

Dec 14th 2008 10:45AM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Falcons, NFC South, NFL InjuriesBucs coach Jon Gruden is saying all the right things about Jeff Garcia’s calf injury, but just hours before their key NFC South game, the Falcons don’t know if they’ll be facing Garcia, a veteran quarterback who can make plays that will beat them, or whether it will be Luke McCown, a fifth-year vet who would be asked not to lose the game, but one who couldn’t be expected to win it.

Garcia has barely practiced this week after straining a calf, but Gruden seems willing to let Garcia play today without those practice reps if Garcia says he can play.
“The guy’s a veteran player. We never like to see a guy not practice, particularly at that position, but he’s an experienced guy,” Gruden said. “He did take some reps yesterday and the day before, so he has participated to a degree. This is just a tough situation right now, but we’re hopeful he can play.”While Garcia is experienced, even veteran quarterbacks can find their timing affected by missing practice time. In a game that has huge playoff implications, the Falcons have to be happy to face either a gimpy and rusty Garcia or a less-talented McCown.

Dec 11th 2008 12:40PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South, NFL Fans, NFL Media Watch
Bucs wideout Antonio Bryant has a history of, shall we say, moodiness. It dates back to his college days at Pittsburgh, but perhaps the most notorious example is when, as a member of the Cowboys, he thought it would be great fun to throw his practice jersey in then-head coach Bill Parcells’ face.

Predictably, he was traded (although, surprisingly, not immediately) to the Browns, before a stint with the 49ers, and then a little time away from the game. But he’s had a resurgence in Tampa Bay (highlighted by some nifty sticky-handedness last Monday night.

Now Bryant has a suggestion for Emmitt Smith and Trent Dilfer: keep my name out of your mouth. (Maybe he and Terrell Owens can start a support group.) Both ESPN analysts made reference to all the personal baggage that follows Bryant with him from team to team, and it was enough, apparently, to set him off.Continue Reading

Dec 9th 2008 10:30AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC South, NFL Fans, NFL Media Watch, NFL VideoSteve Young has a reason to be restless. His job is, after all, highly dangerous. Sitting next to Emmitt Smith day in and day out is hazardous to your health, man. Oh yes, and there’s the little matter of being right in front of unruly and drunk Monday Night Football crowds. As Steph pointed out from experience, these people are close … apparently close enough to lob cans at Young’s face.

I’ve got $500 that says that can was aimed at Emmitt Smith — of course, as destiny would have it, the can flew by Young and now Southerns will have to face more rumors of Mormon persecution. Really, just a sad day for America.

Dec 8th 2008 8:15PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC South, NFL Fans
I have no idea how tonight’s matchup of 9-3 teams will come close to approaching last week’s Jags-Texans/Raiders-Chargers double-header, but, well, on we trudge.

Actually, on paper, this looks like a swell game; despite identical records, the Bucs lead the division (the difference: they spanked the Panthers 27-6 back in Week 6), but Carolina really needs the win. They have the Broncos, Giants and Saints to end the season, while Tampa Bay has Atlanta San Diego and the Raiders.

Shorter version: if John Fox wants to quell the “Here’s comes Cowher!” talk, he might not want to lose.

We’ll fire up the Al Gore Machine around or so.Continue Reading

Dec 9th 2008 12:07AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC SouthComing into tonight’s game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed just one rushing touchdown all season long. Tonight the Carolina Panthers broke through with rushing touchdowns in their Monday night showdown with the Bucs.

The Panthers ran for 299 yards in the 38-23 win over Tampa Bay. The win places Carolina in first place by a game over the Buccaneers.

DeAngelo Williams rushed for a career-high 186 yards and two TDs. His 13 touchdowns this season sets a Panthers franchise record. Jonathan Stewart added 115 yards and two scores of his own. Despite all the running going on, Steve Smith still was able to catch nine passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.

All that helped negate Tampa’s Antonio Bryant’s 200 yards receiving and two touchdowns. It also negated another mediocre game from quarterback Jake Delhomme. Take away that long touchdown to Smith and Delhomme would have thrown for just 135 yards and two interceptions.

Well, who needs a quarterback when you can just run all over the fourth-ranked defense?

Continue Reading

Dec 9th 2008 10:00AM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Falcons, Jets, Panthers, Patriots, Steelers, VikingsBefore we know it, the NFL regular season is going to be done. Three more weeks and there will be no scenarios to map out and no hypotheticals to think through.

But for now, the Jets’ collapse and the Cowboys’, Bucs’, and Falcons’ losses make for a very jumbled playoff picture.

Here’s the short-hand version, with a chart to help.Continue Reading

Dec 9th 2008 10:20AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC South, NFL VideoThat Panthers - Buccaneers game was one heck of a contest last night. Some people foolishly thought that the Panthers weren’t “teh heat,” and I suppose that’s forgivable, but let’s not go questioning the Panthers, John Fox, DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart ever again, shall we? Oh, and we probably shouldn’t question whether or not Antonio Bryant’s catch last night in the fourth quarter is going to win an ESPY — it is.

I mean, that grab was so filthy that it’s worth questioning/making some corny joke as to the cheating nature of Stick ‘em on Bryant’s hands.

/Mr. Tony’d

Dec 9th 2008 10:30AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC South, NFL Fans, NFL Media Watch, NFL VideoSteve Young has a reason to be restless. His job is, after all, highly dangerous. Sitting next to Emmitt Smith day in and day out is hazardous to your health, man. Oh yes, and there’s the little matter of being right in front of unruly and drunk Monday Night Football crowds. As Steph pointed out from experience, these people are close … apparently close enough to lob cans at Young’s face.

I’ve got $500 that says that can was aimed at Emmitt Smith — of course, as destiny would have it, the can flew by Young and now Southerns will have to face more rumors of Mormon persecution. Really, just a sad day for America.

Dec 4th 2008 1:30PM by Chris Burke (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, NFC South, NFL PlayoffsEarlier in the season, it appeared that the NFC East had a legitimate shot at claiming three of the conference’s six playoff spots. Then, Tony Romo got hurt, Philadelphia slumped, Washington did what Washington does and that fell apart.

Now, heading into Week 14, the NFC South is in position for three playoff spots - heading into the weekend, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Atlanta would all be postseason-bound. And unlike the East’s situation earlier, the South might be able to pull it off.

The division’s playoff hopes skyrocket if Carolina beats Tampa Bay on Monday night — that would put Carolina at 10 wins, hosting Denver in Week 15. Meanwhile, the Bucs would still be at nine wins and looking forward to closing the season with San Diego and Oakland visiting the Bay.

Atlanta’s the real toss-up team here. The Falcons’ final four games: at New Orleans, Tampa, at Minnesota, St. Louis. To get to the 11-win mark., Atlanta needs three victories. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? Far from it. Even if the Falcons only get to 10 wins, Dallas would have to find two more wins against a very, very tough schedule, or the average-looking Redskins would need a 3-1 close simply to Atlanta.Continue Reading