Bucs / Panthers Wrap

Posted Dec 8, 2008 by Darin Shaw

Updated Dec 8, 2008 at 11:42 PM

This one was a disappointment for sure.  But, not too terribly unexpected - after all, as the ESPN analysts reminded us six thousand times, NFC South teams always win at home.  We were in the Panthers sand box.  Although, I think our loss tonight had much more to do with terrible tackling and dropped passes than whose house we were in.

While everyone is talking about Monte Kiffin’s eventual departure to Tennessee, do you think it had any effect on his defense tonight?  I have a hard time looking at 300 plus rushing yards allowed and believing that there weren’t distractions on the defensive side of the ball. 

Who was not at fault tonight?  Antonio Bryant.  He gave us an incredible game and one of the more memorable TD catches in Buccaneers history.  Jeff Garcia.  Our QB played a pretty good game.  He was robbed by a dozen or so dropped passes, most of which were right on the money.  B.J. Askew.  He put together a pretty good film loop.

So, prepare yourself for the rush of comments the next couple of days about how old and slow Ronde Barber is and how over the hill Derrick Brooks is.  No worries.  We’re 9-4.  We’re in the playoffs.  And, with three to go, neither the Division Title or homefield advantage are out of reach.  Hang in there fans.

What did you see out there tonight?