The Bucs doubled their wins this weekend, beating the Seahawks 24-7.
Like many of the other chicks, a win on Sunday means more to me than just the opportunity to write a upbeat blog post the next day--it means I can happily peruse the post-game wrap-ups for an entire week. But reading various blog comments, I've noticed that there are a number of fans who were disappointed with the win. They fell into two primary camps:
1. See Suh Later. The first camp of displeased Buc fans are those who want a better draft pick. The Bucs and Rams had been tied for the worst record in football with one win apiece. Now the Bucs are tied with the Lions as the second-worst team in the league, and with tiebreakers it looks like the Bucs would pick third if the draft were today. This has all but eliminated the chance for Bucs to draft the much coveted college prospect Ndamukong Suh.
But: Yes, the Rams have already expressed interest in drafting Suh, but they also need a QB-of-the-Future, and the Bucs do have 10 draft picks in the 2010 draft that they could use for some wheeling and dealing if they feel Suh is worth the sacrifice. And if the Bucs do miss out on the promising young DT, it may help to note that Sammie Stroughter, one of the Bucs' most promising picks in the 2009 draft, was chosen in the 7th round. So there are always hidden gems out there. And though DT is a primary need for the team, the Bucs could use an upgrade at nearly every position.
2. Coach Raheem, Take 2. The other camp is ready for Coach Rah to get the ol' heave-ho and fears this win saved his job. After the 12 losses this year, it's understandable that fans would be anxious to get someone else in control--particularly with Raheem's lack of experience and his seemingly incurable case of foot-in-mouth disease. But the '09 Bucs were a do-over team from the start, and the Glazer brothers expect little from the Bucs except progress--which is what they got on Friday.
But: Coach Rah's job still isn't safe. Sure the Bucs played perhaps their most well-rounded game of the season, but they beat a truly dreadful Seahawks team. The Bucs remaining games--against the Saints and the Falcons--will be much tougher. Plus, color announcer John Lynch mentioned during the game that the Glazers had personally asked him what he thought about the progress of Raheem and the Bucs--not something they would do if their minds were already made up.
And even if the win did cememt Rah's job, the alternative might not be as ideal as fans would like to think. It looks like Jon Gruden will remain at ESPN and on the Bucs' payroll next year, so those who are clamoring for Bill Cowher might be out of luck with or without Raheem. (Not to mention that hiring a new coach would mean another 48 hours of start-from-scratch football next year.)
But enough about the anti-winners. Here are some game highlights:
- The Bucs rushed 34 times and attempted 26 passes. Go, Greg Olson! Call those running plays!
- Seattle had 5 turnovers, including 2 interceptions by Elbert Mack, of all people.
- Josh Freeman threw an INT on his first pass of the game but ended the day with a solid 95.8 QB rating.
- Kellen Winslow had 6 receptions for 93 yards. Kellen's back with the YAC! (Excuse me, I'm rhyming with joy.)
- Sammie Stroughter filled in beautifully for Peanut Smith with 74 yards on 4 punt returns. (Though, sadly, he broke his foot during the game and was placed on IR.)