Here it comes!  You ready?  Don’t miss it!

Our fourth-string, “career back-up” quarterback will make his debut as a starting QB in the NFL this Sunday.  And here’s the strange thing—I’m more optomistic about this guy’s potential than any other signal caller to wander through One Buc Place since Brad Johnson (tease all you want, but the old man left town with a Super Bowl ring on his hand).  I figured for sure that the Bucs would turn the reigns over to Josh “the future” rather than Josh “the career back-up”, but this is Raheem Morris’ world.  Byron’s gone bye-bye, to the depths of the depth-chart.  And that’s quite okay with most Buc fans.  We need someone who is young and spry in there—Lord knows, he will be running for his life.  Byron came out in the press saying that he’s not surprised.  Relieved is a better word.  He was seeing his life flash before his eyes on every play.

Had I been more timely, my hero, goat and quote from last week would have been Raheem, Raheem and Raheem.  Hero for deciding to bench Byron.  Goat for having started him this season in the first place.  And quote: well, which is it?  “Josh is a career back-up” or “We’re going with Josh Johnson against Washington”?  I say it’s a two-for-one.

Around the league, it’s week four.  You know what that means?  It means a bye week for some—are you kidding me?  We just started.  It means QB changes—Tampa and Cleveland: whoduh thunk it?  It means T.O. is spouting off.  But wait!  He’s not?  Nope.  This is a kinder, gentler, wiser and quieter T.O.  He came out this week to let the world know that he’s biting his lip even though the press is baiting him.  Odds on how long this lasts? 

Big injuries continue to change the landscape.  They’re exchanging Chads in Miami (don’t they have a history of that in Florida?).  D-Mac is still a game away from being back—word is he’ll be ready for Tampa in two weeks.  Perfect. 

Another good weekend for me last time out.  I beat the British guy (AGAIN).  11-5.  Satisfied.  But, this week will be even better.  So here it goes.  My “one week closer to fish and chips” picks for week four.  Bears over Lions; Bengals over Browns; Texans over Raiders; Colts over Seahawks; Titans over Jaguars; Giants over Chiefs; Patriots over Ravens (but I’m nervous about this one); Bucs over Redskins (it’s a Josh thing); Bills over Dolphins; Saints over Jets; Cowboys over Broncos; 49ers over Rams; Steelers over Chargers; Brett’s old team over his new team.  Bye this week is a riddle: One of these things is not like the others ~Cardinals, Falcons, Eagles and Panthers.