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Kickoff Weekend |
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Written By: Matt Scharver
NFLSpot.com
09/07/07 |
You Are What You Are
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers leave the bay area this afternoon for a trip to the hostile northwest, to Seattle, home of the "12th Man." The Bucs kickoff the 2007 season at 0-0 with a chance at redemption.
After finishing 4-12 last year, coach Jon Gruden didn't evade criticism and took much of the blame away from his assistants and on-field personnel. While many are ready to set Gruden's seat aflame, the man has earned the right to fight for his job and his football team.
While many will criticize and condemn each and every move Gruden makes, none of us will ever have the burden that he faces each and every Sunday. Gruden has thousands of people giving him a annual performance review. Often times, the critical decisions that he is entrusted with, must be made in a 45-60 second time period. While, we the fans have days to pour over additional scenarios and ideas, Gruden had mere seconds.
There is nothing wrong with being a realist. I have been rather harsh about the team's direction moving forward into 2007 on many occassions. However, the season is upon us. The time to determine these games is on the field and no longer through other mediums.
The saying in football that "You are what you are," rings true to each and every player and coach throughout the league. No excuses for losses, no scape-goats allowed. Last year the Buccaneers were a 4-12 football team. This year, they haven't been given the opportunity to define who they are. The Buccaneers and this coaching staff will define who they are early in this season. A kickoff weekend trip to Seattle is like a early morning wake-up call from a angry Drill Sergeant.
While, many prognosticators hold no hope for the Buccaneers. I, surprisingly, do have faith in their ability to save a sinking ship. Veteran additions like Kevin Carter and Jeff Garcia add leadership, the recent signing of former nemesis - Jeremiah Trotter adds bulk and a swagger to the defense. While Brooks and Barber lead by example, the Buccaneer defense lost its heart when Warren Sapp left. Trotter brings that fire and intensity back to the field, he's one tough son of a bitch that will certainly not let this defense fail. Either by his play on the field, or his ability to take over a lockerroom. Trotter will quickly become the heart of the Buccaneer defense.
As the Bucs travel to Seattle this weekend they will enter with no definition of who they are as a team. And, as Valerie said to the heroes in The Princess Bride:
"Bye bye boys. Have fun storming the castle!"
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