[5teamparlay]

Last Year This Team Started Off 0-4 Under Brad Johnson, And Ended Up 5-11. There Were Just Too Many Injury's And Distractions For Them, They Are Focused This Year. No More Martin Gramatica As Well, Costing Them Additional Games Afetr The Johnson Departure. They Also Do Not Have The Keenan Mc Kardell Distraction As Well. They Counted On Charlie Garner As Well Last Year And He Didn't Play A Down, This Year We Know Its Cadillac Every Sunday As Well. The Bucs Still Have A Dominating D, And A Big Time Home Advantage At Ray J. Don't Underestimate This Team I Am Guaranteeing Playoffs For Them In 2005.

[Tommy]

Yes, TB should be much improved this year. Clayton will be huge

[5teamparlay]

ODDS AT www.BETROYAL.com

NFL- 2005/06 NFC Divisional Odds FuturesTimeNFC South Divisional Odds Money Line01:00Atlanta Falcons
+120
Carolina Panthers
+150
New Orleans Saints
+500
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
+600


bucs getting no respect!!!!!!

[Tommy]

Damn, I would say they should be better odds than the NO Saints wow. I guess the bookmakers do not have any respect for the young guys in Cadillac and Clayton. I think Tampa Bay might suprise this year and sneak into the playoffs. Its not like the NFC is all that tough anyway.

[naught33]

think its wishful thinking to think TB makes the playoffs, i mean the NFC is weak but i still dont see it, but you never know

[5teamparlay]

OFF TO A GOOD START!!!

Sep 11, 2005
Youth Is Served

from www.tbo.com

Game stats




MINNEAPOLIS - Tampa Bay still plays a mean defense, as Minnesota and Daunte Culpepper found out.

Brian Kelly had two interceptions, the last one at his own 6-yard line with 1:45 left that sealed a scrappy, season-opening 24-13 victory for the Buccaneers over the Vikings on Sunday.

Rookie tight end Alex Smith caught two touchdown passes for Tampa Bay, which also forced two fumbles by Culpepper and kept the normally dangerous Minnesota offense sputtering all afternoon — allowing only 26 yards rushing. Another Bucs rookie, Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, added a 71-yard touchdown run with 1:23 remaining against a revamped Vikings defense that played pretty well until that point.

Coming off a career-best season, Culpepper looked more like a rookie than a three-time Pro Bowl. He threw his third interception to Derrick Brooks, on the final, desperation drive and finished 22-for-33 for 233 yards.

Minnesota’s only came from new free safety Darren Sharper on an 88-yard interception return in the first quarter.

Tight end Jermaine Wiggins had two touchdown receptions called back by penalties in the second half. In the first half, the Vikings had three turnovers and two three-and-outs.

At least Minnesota’s special teams were working: Rookie Chris Kluwe boomed four punts for an average of 54 yards, and new kicker Paul Edinger nailed field goals of 53 and 22 yards.

Trailing 17-13, the Vikings got the ball at their own 10 with 4:11 to go. Using two catches by Nate Burleson and two penalties by the Bucs, they reached the 12-yard line with 1:53 left. After a Tampa Bay timeout, Culpepper found Moe Williams open out of the backfield — but the ball tipped off his hands and into Kelly’s arms. Brian Griese wasn’t great, either, but he led Tampa Bay on two long touchdown drives in the second quarter to take a 17-7 halftime lead. Griese was 18-for-29 for 213 yards with two TDs and two INTs.

Williams, the Bucs’ fifth overall pick in the draft, had 27 carries for 148 yards.

Frustrated by several seasons of defensive failure, the Vikings spent plenty of money on upgrades for that side of the ball. The new acquisitions proved their worth in the first half: Sharper had a handful of jarring hits in addition to his touchdown return, cornerback Fred Smoot picked off a pass and nose tackle Pat Williams had a sack.

But whether it was the play calling with new offensive coordinator Steve Loney, a nonexistent running game, steady pressure on Culpepper or an uncharacteristically shaky first-half performance by the Pro Bowl quarterback, the Vikings looked as lousy on offense as they had in some time.

Of course Randy Moss was missing, too, after the trade that shipped him to Oakland. And while the core of the Bucs’ defense — Brooks, Simeon Rice, Shelton Quarles and Ronde Barber — are all 30 years or older, it remains one of the league’s best. Culpepper’s pass to Burleson was off target on the first drive, and Kelly intercepted at the Tampa Bay 7-yard line. Trying to throw a quick out with a one-step drop on the next possession, Culpepper lost his grip and watched Dewayne White return the fumble to the Vikings’ 23. Then, in the second quarter, former Viking Chris Hovan recovered a fumble after Rice’s sack knocked the ball loose

[Tommy]

Yup. Great win for TB Cadillac and Clayton Look great as well as greise and thier D Could make some Noise this year

[5teamparlay]

2-0 is a good start!!!


Sep 11, 2005

Defense, Cadillac Dominant Against Bills

From The Associated Press


Game Log



TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to ride Cadillac Williams as far as the rookie can carry them. So far, it’s the team’s first 2-0 start in five years.

Williams topped 100 yards rushing for the second straight week Sunday, returning from a foot sprain to finish a 128-yard, one touchdown performance that helped the Bucs dominate J.P. Losman and the Buffalo Bills, 19-3.

Tampa Bay’s defense scored the first points of the game on a safety and was every bit as tough on Losman as they’ve been on a list of young quarterbacks that includes Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper in recent years.

Losman completed 12 of 29 passes for 113 yards in his first NFL road start. The second-year quarterback didn’t have any turnovers for the second week in a row, but never came close to getting Buffalo’s offense in synch.

Willis McGahee was held to 34 yards rushing on 13 carries after gaining 117 in the Bills’ 22-7 season-opening victory over Houston. Star receiver Eric Moulds had one catch for 8 yards as Tampa Bay’s defense held the opposition without an offensive touchdown for the second game in a row.

The closest Buffalo (1-1) came to getting into the end zone was in the closing minutes, when Losman led a drive to the Tampa Bay 4. A penalty for an illegal forward pass knocked the Bills back to the 9, and the march stalled when Derrick Brooks batted down a pass intended for Moulds on fourth down.

Williams had runs of 31, 23 and 19 yards, the latter on his first carry after sitting two series with a sprained left foot. He finished that drive with a 3-yard TD run, then broke two tackles on the 31-yard burst that set up Matt Bryant’s 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Mike Alstott scored on a 1-yard run for Tampa Bay, which won a home opener for the first time in four tries under coach Jon Gruden. Brian Griese completed 16 of 22 passes for 136 yards, including a 15-yarder to Michael Clayton that set up Alstott’s score for a 9-0 lead.

Losman threw for 170 yards and a touchdown without any turnovers in Buffalo’s win over Houston, however his inexperience showed against a defense that used as many as six defensive backs to frustrate him in obvious passing situations.

The Bucs set the tone by nearly intercepting Losman three times in the first quarter, then positioned themselves to snap a scoreless tie when Juran Bolden downed Josh Bidwell’s punt at the Buffalo 1 early in the second quarter.

Losman was flushed out of the pocket on third-and-7, but couldn’t get a pass away before stepping out of the back of the end zone with linebacker Shelton Quarles and safety Jermaine Phillips in close pursuit. Buffalo finished with 145 yards, with much of it coming on its last drive.

[naught33]

yeah 2-0 so far, long way to go, and some tough teams in that division, not sure TB can hang in divisional play, but u never know

[Tommy]

I think they can. Cadillac looks like hes the real deal and the D looks strong so far. Griese is playing well too. People said Buffalo was going to be good this year and TB domianted them today. We will see how things shake down but TB is much improved IMO. Griese in his 2nd year and they now have a threat in the running game. Maybe not this year but things are definitely on the rise for the Bucs.

[5teamparlay]

BUCS AT NINE, ORIGINALLY PICKED LAST IN THEIR DIVISION!!!!

The rankings for Sept. 20:
POWER RANKINGSCurrentTeamPrevious1Pittsburgh Steelers2There is no doubt as to who should be the top team. The Steelers have dominated two games to the degree there can be no debate.2Indianapolis Colts3They are winning with defense. Can you believe it? That's scary for the rest of the league.3Philadelphia Eagles5The offense came alive against the 49ers, which we think will be more of the norm than they showed in the opener. Donovan McNabb bounced back in a big way.4Kansas City Chiefs8Winning on the road at Oakland was impressive. The Chiefs appear improved on defense, which was a must. Now comes a tough one at Denver.5New England Patriots1So they do lose after all? The Patriots now must regroup from their first loss for a trip to Pittsburgh. That's brutal.6Atlanta Falcons4Coming off a Monday night game and traveling to the Pacific Northwest was too much to ask for this team. They did rally to make it interesting against the Seahawks.7Cincinnati Bengals16At 2-0, the Bengals deserve to be here. They've dominated two opponents, although level of competition is still up for debate.8Jacksonville Jaguars6They wasted a heck of a defensive effort against the Colts. At some point, the offense has to start scoring more points.9Tampa Bay Buccaneers17With Jon Gruden coaching, Cadillac Williams running and that defense still stifling, this team is better than many thought

[Tommy]

Nice 5 Team GO Cadillac

[naught33]

yeah i dont see TB being any better than 3rd in the division at the end of the yr...tough to compete w atl and carolina

[5teamparlay]

Looks like they are well on their way!!!BUCS 17, PACKERS 16

Bucs Go To 3-0



From The Associated Press Published: Sep 25, 2005





GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers no longer own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field, thanks to Carnell “Cadillac” Williams.

Williams broke Alan Ameche's NFL record for most yards in his first three NFL games by rushing 37 times for 158 yards in Tampa Bay's 17-16 win over the Packers on Sunday.

Ryan Longwell missed an extra point for the first time in 157 attempts, and that was the difference as the Packers fell to 0-3 for the first time since Brett Favre was a sophomore at Southern Miss in 1988.

Since 1990, only three of 75 teams who lost their first three games made the playoffs.

The Buccaneers, 3-0 for the first time since 2000, got two touchdown receptions from Joey Galloway and two interceptions from Will Allen in snapping a 13-game road losing streak to the Packers.

Their last win at Green Bay came on Sept. 10, 1989.

Williams, the first NFL rookie to start his career with three straight 100-yard games, has 434 yards rushing so far, besting Ameche's mark of 410 set in 1955 for the Baltimore Colts.

His most important carries came after Allen, subbing for an injured Dexter Jackson (hamstring), picked off Favre for the second time with five minutes remaining. He grabbed the ball after Juran Bolden tipped it away from receiver Robert Ferguson at the Tampa Bay 5-yard line.

Williams ran six times for 46 yards to ice it.

The Packers were going in for the go-ahead touchdown when Shelton Quarles got his hand on a pass to Ferguson near the goal line on third down. Green Bay had to settle for Longwell's 32-yard field goal with 7:18 remaining that made it 17-16.

The Packers' defense forced a punt and Green Bay got the ball back at midfield with 5:52 remaining — but three plays later, Allen picked off his second pass of the day.

Galloway caught touchdown passes of 5 and 10 yards from Brian Griese in the first half for the Buccaneers. Yet, despite seven penalties, two turnovers and a missed extra point, the Packers trailed just 17-13 at halftime.

After fullback William Henderson fumbled away the ball on Green Bay's opening drive, Griese capped a 12-play series with a 5-yard toss to Galloway in which cornerback Mike Hawkins left the receiver alone in the end zone to come up and play a charging Griese at the line of scrimmage.

The Packers answered with a 37-yard touchdown from Favre to Ferguson on fourth-and-5.

But Rob Davis' snap was high and Longwell missed the extra point, leaving the Packers down 7-6. It was his first miss of an extra point after 156 straight conversions, a team record and the fourth-longest active streak in the NFL.

Longwell also missed a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter. After Galloway's second TD catch, cornerback Brian Kelly intercepted Favre at the Green Bay 37, and Matt Bryant's 42-yard field goal made it 17-6. Favre found Antonio Chatman down the seam for a 20-yard touchdown pass that pulled Green Bay to 17-13.

[Tommy]

TB will probably make the playoffs this year. They are good Lets see what happens GREAT START!

[5teamparlay]

4-0 It will be hard to mess this up
from www.tbo.com

BUCS 17, LIONS 13

Complete Reversal

By ROY CUMMINGS rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: Oct 3, 2005

TAMPA The Detroit Lions didn't strip the wheels off the Cadillac on Sunday. They simply stuck something in between the spokes and bent them up a bit.

To go along with his sore left foot, Bucs rookie running back Cadillac Williams now has a sore right hamstring to worry about. It's not likely, but the injury could be enough to keep him from playing next week against the Jets.

Guess what? It may not matter.

With Cadillac spending most of his time watching from the side of the road Sunday, the Bucs offense chugged and burped like an old Ford Pinto. But it still drove well enough to get them to a place they've seldom been before.

For only the third time in their 30 seasons, the Bucs are 4-0. And for the first time this season, they won a game without riding Cadillac all the way to victory lane.

Receiver Joey Galloway produced 170 yards and a touchdown, and backup tailback Michael Pittman produced 126 yards and a touchdown to help the Bucs post a 17-13 victory at Raymond James Stadium.

"We've said all along that we have a lot of weapons on this team, and I think we proved that to everybody," Pittman said. "This shows that we have a whole arsenal of players."

And they have them on both sides of the ball. It was, after all, the defense that put the finishing touches on the victory by stopping a suddenly effective Lions passing attack on Detroit's final drive.

After being limited to just 63 passing yards through the first 50-plus minutes, skittish Lions quarterback Joey Harrington threw for 71 yards in a 4:30 span down the stretch to put Detroit in position to win on a second-and-1 play at the Bucs' 12.

The Lions chose first to target the right corner of the end zone, but tight end Marcus Pollard's sliding catch was overturned by replay officials, who ruled that his bent knee was out of bounds as he made the grab.

The Lions then looked to their left, but former Plant High standout Mike Williams couldn't keep both feet in bounds after making a third-down catch, and Harrington's fourth-down throw sailed over the head of receiver Roy Williams.

"That right there is a building block for something special," defensive end Simeon Rice said. "We lost a lot of close games like this last year, but Sunday we finished. That's what we've been doing all year. We've been finishing."

They've been starting well, too. In fact, Sunday marked the first time this year the Bucs haven't gone into halftime with a lead. But it wasn't long after the second half started that they had one.

On the third snap of the half, quarterback Brian Griese hit Galloway in stride as he split a pair of Lions defenders on his way to an 80-yard touchdown that gave the Bucs a 17-10 lead.

The completion was one of 22 Griese made on a day when he got knocked woozy by a second-quarter hit to the head as he finished off a 7-yard scramble by making a headfirst dive.

"It was a mistake," Griese said of the headfirst plunge, which came 4 yards short of the first-down marker. "I took a pretty good shot and don't remember a little bit of the first half. I was kind of off there for a little while."

It showed. Griese was off the mark on each of his next four passes, including one that was intercepted by Lions linebacker Teddy Lehman. After completing his next two throws, Griese was picked off again, by Andre' Goodman, but the play was erased by a questionable defensive holding call.

"He was pretty dizzy," Pittman said of Griese. "You could really tell; he wasn't all there. But he wouldn't come out of the game, and he made some big plays when he had to."

Two of those big plays came almost immediately after the penalty. With a more firm grasp of his senses, Griese stepped away from pressure to complete a 20-yard pass to Michael Clayton on a third-and-12, and then hit Pittman -- who had gotten behind the pursuing Lehman -- in stride on a third-down play that went for a 41-yard touchdown.

"I went to Coach Jon Gruden early in the game and told him that the Lions' linebackers can't run with me," Pittman said. "I told him they're playing man-to-man on third down and that we can beat them if he calls either Halfback Trojan or Halfback Rail. Well, he called Halfback Rail."

Gruden called the victory a personal milestone. It marked the first time in his 15 years as an NFL coach that he has been on a team that has started a season 4-0. He was one of several Bucs cherishing the moment.

"I only had five of these victories last year, so to get No. 4 is real special," linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "I mean, I feel grateful to be honest with you. Detroit gave us everything we could handle."

The Bucs limited the Lions to 226 total yards and allowed them to convert just two of 12 third downs, all while losing their top back (Williams) as well as the turnover battle by a 4-1 margin.

"It's nice to have a superstar in your midst, but there's 10 other guys and backups that have to play, too," cornerback Ronde Barber said. "You've got to get a lot out of a lot of guys to win in this league, and Sunday we did that."



michael pittman

[QuickNick]

5team, be glad Tampa has a great "D" cause Griese is terrible, they were lucky to win yesterday Griese threw 3 INT's and had 1 fumble lost the last I saw.

[5teamparlay]

BEST RECORD IN NFC BAR NONE AFTER 6 WEEKS

TAM

BUCS 27, DOLPHINS 13

Sore Winners

From TBO.com
By ROY CUMMINGSPA - -- It's their bye week, and boy, do the Bucs need it. They lost their starting quarterback, another starting safety and a backup cornerback Sunday. It didn't matter. They still won the game.

Bucs 27, Dolphins 13. An improbable season continues. They're not even at the midway point and already Tampa Bay has put up as many victories as all of last year.

Go ahead, revel in it. The Bucs plan to.

"We talked all week about putting 5-1 up on the board," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "It's huge. The bye week is supposed to be fun for the players and the coaches. Win, and you can kick back and relax."

Jon Gruden, relax? Don't count on it. Not even at 5-1.

"Winning five games was never my goal," he said.

But it's a good start. The Bucs have the best record in the NFC and could play .500 ball the rest of the way and still finish 10-6.

The Bucs aren't thinking that far ahead. Not after Sunday.

Their victory came at a cost, the price of which has yet to be fully determined.

The Bucs probably won't know for sure until at least today, but starting quarterback Brian Griese could miss several weeks, if not the rest of the season, after suffering what is believed to be a torn left ACL late in the second quarter.

Griese went down with what the Bucs called a sprain when Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas rolled into him. Griese was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital for an examination during the game, but results of those tests were not immediately available.

Sunday night, one Bucs player termed the injury severe.

[5teamparlay]

They are looking good to make the Playoffs.


NFL Game Summary - Tampa Bay at Carolina


(Sunday, December 11th)

Final Score: Tampa Bay 20, Carolina 10
Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Carnell "Cadillac" Williams rushed for 112 yards with two touchdowns on 29 carries, as Tampa Bay defeated Carolina, 20-10, in a key NFC South Division battle at Bank of America Stadium.
Chris Simms ended 20-of-27 for 138 yards for the Buccaneers (9-4), who have won two straight and four of their last five games.
"Let me just say, we're very happy to have won," said Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden. "I'm proud of our team. We beat a great team today on the road." The victory also vaulted Tampa Bay into a first-place tie with the Panthers, but due to a better division record, the Bucs currently own the upperhand in the competitive NFC South.

[5teamparlay]

Written on 8-22:

I Am Guaranteeing Playoffs For Them In 2005.