Interesting comments below, regarding the comparisons between this
year and 2002. While the 2002 team was probably more talented, I
don't think we should underestimate the power of a tightknit group
such as this year's Bucs. I've been watching football for many
years, and I don't recall ever seeing an entire team, offense and
defense, run over to check on a player with a knee injury.

I was very down on Gruden and this team in the pre-season and after
week one, but I'm starting to get a good feeling. Not a great
feeling yet...but a good feeling.

It's been said by a few other people, but this Indy game will be a
huge barometer for us. It's time for the Buc's to be on the winning
end of a Gruden-Dungy game.


--- In Bucs@yahoogroups.com, Leopold James <ljames@...> wrote:
>
> We are where we hoped we'd be going into Indy; 3-1 and rolling.
You look
> at the schedule from here and this is without a doubt the biggest
game of
> the year for us. Gruden vs Dungy I was the infamous 48-0
destruction of
> the fabled '99 Bucs by Gruden's Raiders. Gruden vs Dungy II was
another
> game that Gruden seemed to have well in hand when Brian Kelly went
down
> and Peyton Manning took the Colts on the greatest 4th quarter
comeback in
> Monday Night history in 2003. We were the defending champions that
night
> but, in Gruden vs Dungy III, they'll be the ones trying to defend a
> Lombardi.
>
> I don't know how far this team can go but, so far, they're
following the
> script of the 2002 team perfectly. That team lost on opening day
and then
> won 5 in a row on their way to a championship. Both teams feature
> stifling defenses behind a hungry, veteran, journeyman QB who can
jump on
> you early and allow the team to pound the rock in the 2nd half.
One area
> where this team already has that team beat is in comraderie
though. I
> don't see any Sapps, Keyshawns or Simeon Rices in the locker room
(or any
> McKays upstairs). You've got veterans saying this is one the
tightest
> teams they've ever been on.
>
> If these guys get by Indy, the sky's the limit.
>
> Stay tuned...
>
>
> =====================
> A little WORD, each day, chases the Darkness away.
>
>
>
>
>
> Ish Engle <reverend_ish@...>
> Sent by: Bucs@yahoogroups.com
> 10/01/2007 06:34 AM
> Please respond to Bucs
>
> To: Bucs@yahoogroups.com
> cc:
> Subject: Re: [Bucs] Panther's game - Cadillac may be
out
> for the season
>
>
>
>
>
> My big complaint (and its probably a blessing in disguise) is the
total
> LACK of respect. Twoweeks ago the announcers were wondering about
how the
> Saints could be having such an off game. Last week week we heard
about
> the Rams were just off. Yesterday, in the fourth quarter, the
announcers
> were wondering about why the Panthers didn't show up. I see a
common
> theme in these three teams having bad games, but most people don't.
>
> Oh well, maybe we'll sneak up on Dungy and Peyton. That would be
fun.
>
> Ish
>
> Janie <janieinfl@...> wrote:
> Pepper's who? He was the biggest potential threat. He did nothing
for
> their defense. Steve Smith who? He did nothing for their offense.
>
> I partically liked how this game progressed to become not a
question
> of the Bucs winning, but moreso one of - could the Bucs shut the
> Panthers out? How cool was that!
>
> Howie during the pre-game said that the Panthers would win...what
were
> you thinking Howie? The Bucs have now proven that they are a team
to be
> taken seriously.
>
> What are your thoughts on the up & coming Indy game? See how Indy
came
> back yesterday. This game will prove to be a real test for the Bucs
in
> their all around improvement.
>
>
>
>
> Charles "Ish" Engle
>
> "And you shall call his name Ishmael,
> because the Lord has given heed to
> your affliction." Gen 16:11b
>
> Read my mind at "http://livethetwo.wordpress.com/"
> Got a little couch potato?
> Check out fun summer activities for kids.
>