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The Bucs were warned that the competition was about to get a lot tougher.
For the record, it happened right about 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.
The euphoria and 2002-here-we-go-again bravado created by the Bucs’ 4-0 start have slowly been replaced by the realities of a very average team trying to prove its relevance against superior competition in its own division.
The Bucs had a chance to validate themselves against one of the NFC’s purebreds, the Panthers, but instead were dominated in every phase of the game. In their own house.
Carolina absorbed the energy of a crowd desperate to see proof that these teams had more in common than 5-2 records, took the opening kick and had a field goal on the board before FOX’s Troy Aikman could even remind anyone once more of his glory days in Dallas.
Yet again, one glimmer of hope for the Bucs was provided by Joey Galloway, scoring on a deep throw in the first half when those in attendance hadn’t yet given much thought to how else they might spend their Sunday afternoons.
Clearly, the possibilities became more and more alluring to them as the outcome became more and more unavoidable.
The Bucs knew what they were up against: Steve Smith came in as the hottest receiver in the NFL, and stayed that way. Carolina’s running game was doing more than enough to keep Smith effective, and did so again. The Panther defense was built on toughness and turnovers, and used both to turn this supposed divisional “showdown” into little more than a novelty.
Whether Chris Simms is the answer for Tampa Bay or not doesn’t seem to matter anymore. The problem is that there may be too many questions in the first place.
Posted by Jeff C, Valrico, FL on 11/07 at 09:12 AM
If the Bucs continue to play like yesterday, they should pull out the Creamsicle throwback uniforms and refund everyone’s ticket price...they were completely out-classed in every aspect of the game, and the coaching was awful...the players have to execute, but it seems like they have no discipline and no love for the game, and that comes from leadership and coaching...what a shame that some of the aging stars will be finishing their careers in such a terrible fashion...I won’t be surprised at all by another 5-11 season...I just can’t see this team playing their way out of a paper bag at this point, their “heart” is all gone and there seems to be no fire on the field or in their bellies…
Posted by Lenny E. Eckert, Masaryktown, Florida on 11/07 at 08:55 AM
I can hear it now. Chris Simms this and Chris Simms that....Buc fans, contrary to popular belief, Simms is NOT the problem. The problem is no further than a scowl away and he wears a visor. Das Wonder Kid certainly makes you wonder. I am not impressed. Once again there was poor blocking for the run AND the pass. Chris showed everyone what he can do when the offensive line gives him protection. We all know that Cadillac can run with blocking in front of him, but, the line leaked like a screen door. The defense was also out to lunch. BUT, all of the blame will be pinned on Chris, which ain’t fair. Chris, ya done good kid.......
Posted by C Tupper, Brandon,Fla on 11/07 at 08:54 AM
There will be no success for the Bucs until they stop the penalties.These cause disruption of the concentration of the players.Coach needs to tighten down on diciplin.A little protection for thr quarterback if you please.The talent is there if used properly.
Posted by Scott David, Tampa on 11/07 at 08:20 AM
Gruden wanted so bad to look like a genius for drafting Cadillac, Clayton, and Sims that he sacrificed draft picks, game plans, and our defense to do it.
Posted by Bruce Miller, St. Louis, Missouri on 11/07 at 07:50 AM
To get totally dominated in pretty much all facets of the game.. IN YOUR HOUSE...is pretty much embarrassing. At times the Bucs, well, looked old. The offensive line pretty much stunk, stupid penalties, inability to stop the opposition on 3rd down, and no running game. Chris Simms did not play all that bad, but with no run support and against a great defense, he was pretty much hung out to dry. I admit, I got caught up in the Bucs 5 - 1 start and thought about a trip to the playoffs, but after three hours of watching this game and watching Tampa get beat by a much better team, reality sunk in, because the Bucs are plain and simple....a year or 2 away.
Posted by bryan waddell, BRANDON FLORIDA on 11/07 at 06:52 AM
so gruden is a master mind, it looks as of the last 3 years that he cant master much,if you have the number one defense(built by dungy,not kiffin he was handing out gatorade back then)and your an offensive genius then you should be scoring points and not geting beat like a wet dog. i said before gruden cant coach and that simms wouldnt make it as a quaterback in the NFL.
Posted by EB, NORFOLK, VA on 11/07 at 12:53 AM
Now, is there any doubt in anyone’s mind that this team is finished for the year? I concur with one of the previous notes. Watch the remaining games at home or at a sport’s bar or listen to it on the radio. No need to spend a bunch of bucks to watch the Bucs lose each week at the stadium, and to see incredible examples of absolute ineptitude; K. Walker’s actions are inexcusable. There is no way this team can compete with the varsity teams of this league. Forget about playoffs. Start rebuilding now for next year. A transformation is needed, and it should be obvious by now that coach Gruden does not have the vision and strength to lead a renovation that will get this team back on an unquestionable winning track.
Posted by Sue, Brandon on 11/06 at 11:11 PM
How much longer do we have to put up with Gruden. Another year no offensive line. Dont count 5 gimme wins by lousy wins. Now you see real NFL teams we will be lucky to beat N.O. Please put Alstott in he does well and you pull him. Let him start plowing through the offensive line then put in Caddy.
Posted by Sally, Tampa on 11/06 at 08:43 PM
What a disappointing day:( Why doesn’t Grudden use Alstott more? Everytime he touched the ball today we got a 1st down. Maybe we should get out of the Cadillac and get on the train, the A-Train!!!!!
Posted by Jon, Sarasota on 11/06 at 08:43 PM
Is is possible to send Gruden off for 10-15 years of seasoning? I’ll bet he’ll be a good coach someday. That’s assuming of course that he capable of learning. With his ego, I have my doubts.
He better start worrying about the whole team collasping. Because it is…
Job #1 of an NFL head coach = attitude and focus of entire team. Is Gruden succeeding with this? NO?
Posted by Alex Rodmell, Lutz on 11/06 at 07:36 PM
I realize that the Bucs coaches think they know everything, but take this from an old basketball player. When you see the Bucs players getting faked out and missing a tackle or losing their jocks to a receiver - it can be prevented in most instances. You can be faked out by the ball, the legs, the head. But you can never be faked out by the numbers on the jersey. If the defensive guys were drilled to keep their eyes on the numbers, a lot of tackles and catches could be better defensed. But, what do I know? Obviously, a little more than some NFL experts.
Posted by Bobby, tampa/ATLANTA on 11/06 at 07:23 PM
There are 2 left handed QB’s in the NFC south........which one is the winner this week???
Posted by Matt Wright, Tampa on 11/06 at 07:17 PM
There 5-1 record was not genuine anyway.
They had 3 games where the pivotal Touchdown for the other teams was penalized, starting with MINN, and all three calls were very suspect. That easily makes there 5-1 record 2-4, and then Greeser goes down.
It was false hope anyway…
Posted by Ron Undieme, St Petersburg on 11/06 at 06:57 PM
If the lousy Bucs win two more games this year I’ll be surprised. Simms did not look too bad, but with no line to give him protection he made some bad throws. The defense looked tired when the game started. Lets face it, they will not compare with the Panthers in any part of the game. If the GREAT COACH GRUDEN had not run his Cadillac into the ground the first few games maybe we still would have a chance of .500 for the season. But alas, no Caddie no more wins.......
Posted by Matt Wood, Virginia on 11/06 at 06:47 PM
We are on a downward spiral from here. Our offensive line is like last year and our 3rd down defense is bad. Our defensive front four is getting absolutely no pressure. I could complete 3rd and 16 with 5-7 seconds to throw. We are unable to run the ball which then leads to passing every down. I have to say that Gruden’s days are numbered. Yeah, he won a Super Bowl but that was with Dungy’s players. Since then he has cleaned house and has a losing record each year following with his OWN players. This includes Rich McKay who was the master mind for Tampa upstart. There is no discipline on this team which leads to costly penalties and poor execution. We look like a old team and its showing playing good teams. The 5-2 record was a fluke, the teams were all under .500 that we beat. Prepare for growing pains the rest of the season.
Posted by John Higgins, Dade City, FL on 11/06 at 06:36 PM
Ok folks, it’s time to turn out the lights and get on the bus. The party’s over and the bus is in the ditch.
Posted by TS, New Jersey on 11/06 at 06:14 PM
Like I said last wee, this is when we know if we’re real or not. We looked bad and until we beat Carolina we simply aren’t as good as they are. We’re 5-3 at the midpoint, if we go 5-3 for the second half then we’re 10-6 with a pretty good shot at a wild card. That should be worst case. We need to emphasize the run (hear that O-line), then take our shots. Simms was okay but with a running game to respect, he could be better. No turnovers next week and a win for the start of the second half and we are still in the hunt. That’s how we need to think about things from now on.
Posted by Annoyed, new york on 11/06 at 05:50 PM
Here is my suggestion to all Bucs fans who mortgaged their house to buy season tickets....stay home.
Posted by Annoyed, russia on 11/06 at 05:47 PM
I’ve heard speculation that the Bucs won’t win another game this season. I’m beginning to believe.
Posted by Chet, Charlotte, NC on 11/07 at 09:24 AM
Hey guys...don’t be so down on your team. A couple turn overs went our way and your team was playing catch up after that. I think Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa are still all tops in the NFC. you lost to a good team. We’ve lost to some bad teams and won sloppy games against others.