Outback Bucs
(January 2, 2007)

Over the New Years weekend, Raymond James Stadium played host to the final Buccaneers game of the season and the first football game of 2007, the Outback Bowl. Since each event was sold out with over 65,000 in attendance, most area football fans probably watched at least part of both on television.

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the season finale was a was fitting end to the season. In a year of injuries and rookies, the Bucs quietly ended a disappointing 4-12 season with a 23-7 loss to Seattle. On offense and defense there are plenty of questions going into the off-season.

This year's offense was sad and only Oakland scored fewer points. Chris Simms showed something playing with an injured spleen, which had to be removed after the Carolina game, but he still has not proved that he can be a starting QB in the NFL. Simms has been re-signed, Bruce Gradkowski will be back for his second season and Tim Rattay may also be re-signed. Rattay actually played the best of the three, however, few should comfortable with the current quarterback situation. A free agent, somebody like a Jeff Garcia, may be pursued.

Mike Alstott may or may not have played his final game and Cadillac Williams had an inconsistent year. Michael Pittman has proven to be a valuable asset to the team and has not complained about reduced playing time since Williams was drafted. Injuries hit the offense line and receiver Michael Clayton continues to disappoint.

The once proud defense had it own problems. How much is left for older players such as Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles, Greg Spires and Ronde Barber. The secondary was weak and Brian Kelly sitting out the year with a toe injury did not help. Simeon Rice had two sacks and missed half the season due to injury. Many have questioned the commitment of the likes of Kelly and Rice, so they may not be back.

Ronde Barber was the only Buccaneer to go the Pro Bowl and the argument could be made that the Bucs need help at every position. That may not be fair because Josh Bidwell and Matt Bryant did kick the ball halfway decent.

There will be plenty of talk about head coach Jon Gruden. There has been absolutely no indication that he will not be back. There will an abundance of other changes this off-season. High draft picks and spending room under the salary cap, will ensure that. The Bucs have gone from worst to first and back to worst. Can they get back to first next season? We have months to kick that question around.

On a more positive note, the Outback Bowl turned out to be a pretty good game. It was rainy, and the Bucs played the day before, so the field was not in its usual pristine condition for the game. The majority may not have noticed that "Tampa Bay" was in the end zones instead of the team's names. The Outback logo in the center of the field was streaked before kickoff. The NFL should not schedule a regular season Bucs game the day before the Outback Bowl. It has happened before.

The game itself was good one. Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, at 80 years old, was injured in a sideline incident earlier in the season and ESPN did have too many shots of him watching from the press box. Running back Tony Hunt may have won MVP honors, but the 88 yard fumble return for a TD by Tony Davis was the difference maker. Penn State defeated Tennessee 20-10.

The Outback Bowl was a good way to start off 2007. Hopefully, 2007 will be a better year for the Buccaneers. Happy new year!