Can the Bucs slow down Frank Gore? There hasn’t been a whole lot of success against running backs to hang your hopes on. Our Bucs are 30th in the NFL at stopping the rush. Fantasy league owners are making their fortune on starting whomever is in the backfield opposing Tampa Bay. It’s time to fill some holes. It’s time to make some tackles. And with Troy Smith starting at QB, I say put eight and nine in the box and make him beat us with his arm, for crying out loud!

It seems the last goal line hit on Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen concussed him. John Fox is sending tape to anyone and everyone who will watch it. Those dirty Buc defenders actually tackled his QB to keep him out of the endzone. The nerve. Even more curious news is that in Clausen’s absence, Fox is handing the keys to a guy who, last week, was holding a television remote… on his couch! Welcome back Brian St. Pierre. Who? What does that say about the teams hopes for Tony Pike? Yikes!

Atlanta has reached the top of everyone’s power rankings charts. Do you think? And to realize we were two yards away from, well… being the best team in the NFC. I wonder about their game this weekend against the Rams. Do you suppose this might be a surprise in the making?

Well let’s get to it. Here’s what you’re waiting for—my locks (with a smile): Bengals over Bills (does anyone care?), Cowboys over Lions, Steelers over Raiders, Jets over Texans, Ravens over Panthers, Browns over Jags, Titans over Redskins, Chiefs over Cards, Pack over Vikes (in Brett’s last start???), Rams over Falcons, Saints over Seahags, Bucs over Niners, Pats over Colts, Eagles over Giants, Chargers over Broncos.