Sammy Baugh Passes

It saddened me last Wednesday to learn of the death of football legend Sammy Baugh. The 94 year old Baugh passed from the many complications associated with old age.

A three sport athlete at Texas Christian and signed to professional baseball and football contracts, Sammy played for the Washington Redskins from 1937 until 1952 as quarterback, defensive back and punter. Baugh earned the distinction of the Redskins highest paid player when he signed a 1937 contract for $8,000 per year.

Sammy led the league many years in passing, interceptions and punting and still holds several records, including most seasons leading the league in passing and most seasons with the lowest interception percentage. Baugh entered the Football Hall of Fame in 1963 as part of the original 17 man inaugural class. Arguably, the best football star ever, Sammy played during a time when men were men and not prima donnas. I feel somewhat connected to the man since I possess an old leather helmet signed by "Slinging Sammy" himself.

In heaven, I'm certain Sammy was greeted by the Minister of Defense, Reggie White, who will help him become acclimated! Thanks Sammy for what you've contributed to America's favorite sport.

Bucs Retain Lead in NFC South

The Tampa Buccaneers managed to maintain first place in the NFC South division by defeating the New Orleans Saints today 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium thanks to interceptions by Jermaine Phillips, Cato June, and Phillip Buchanon. Jeff Garcia and Warrick Dunn turned in relatively mediocre performances but with the help of the mighty Bucs' defense, it proved enough to propel them past the Saints.


Although both the Bucs and the Carolina Panthers enter week 14 at 9-3, the Bucs currently prevail in any tie-breaking scenario. Next week's match up with the Panthers may prove to be the most important game of the year as the two teams fight for undisputed first place in the hotly contested division.

Buccaneers Tame Lions

Earlier today, the 0-10 Detroit Lions jumped to a comfortable first quarter 17-0 lead over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But Jeff Garcia and the never out Bucs decimated the Lions defense to comeback with 35 unanswered points. Garcia threw for only 165 yards but for two touchdowns and no interceptions. Ronde Barbe played another one of many career high games with two interceptions, one of which he returned 65 yards for a touchdown. The fumble prone but blazingly fast Clifton Smith ran back a punt 70 yards for six points.


With today's win and the Panthers loss to the Falcons, the Bucs move into first place in the fiercely competitive NFC South. Tampa Bay returns home for a Turkey weekend game against the Saints.

Bucs Fly to Mile High

The 3-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers flew to Denver this week to face the 3-1 Broncos with a need for a win to tie the 4-1 Carolina Panthers for first place in the NFC South. But Denver's Michael Pittman, who Tampa Bay released earlier this year, provided just enough offense to push the Broncos past the Bucs for a 16-13 win.

Some people carry an inner strength of immense calibre and beyond the capabilities of most others and Matt Bryant is one of those people. After burying his infant son Tryson only one week ago, he found solace on the football field and support from fellow team members to stay perfect for the year with two field goals and an extra point.

Brian Griese went down with a shoulder injury early in the fourth quarter allowing a recovered Jeff Garcia an opportunity to step up. Garcia looked a little rusty during the first possession but led the Bucs to a brilliant touchdown drive late in the quarter in an attempt to mount a Tampa comeback.

Next week the 3-2 Buccaneers will fight for a first place tie in the NFC South when they face the 4-1 Carolina Panthers at home. I'll see you there!

Matt Bryant Beats Favre-less Packers

After losing his three month old son earlier in the week, I'm not sure how Matt Bryant dragged himself out of bed today. But somehow he mustered enough strength to drive to Raymond James stadium and kick the Buccaneers past the Packers for a decisive 30-21 win. Bryant scored twelve of the Buccaneers thirty points with three field goals and three extra points.



Although a fierce competitor, we miss seeing Brett Favre lead the Packers, who before the NFL's realignment, were tough division rivals. The Packer's new franchise quaterback, Aaron Rodgers looked good today throwing for 2 touchdowns and only one interception but it was not enough to counter the attack from the Buccaneers even though Brian Griese threw 3 interceptions for the second consecutive week.

Next weekend, the Bucs travel to the mile high city to face the Broncos.

Our Prayers for the Bryant Family

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant and his family experienced a terrible loss Wednesday with the unexpected death of their three month old son, Tryson. Please keep this family in your prayers as they deal with this unimaginable tragedy. One day we know you'll be reunited in heaven.

Sunday - Bucs Yes, Politics No

Early this morning, I felt it time to break from political blogging and focus on other interests. On Sunday, we worship, we watch football, we ride Harleys, and we rant less about politics.

Today, the mighty Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolled into the windy city to face the Chicago Bears. The Buccaneers fell behind early with two Bears field goals, but struck back with an Ike Hilliard four yard touchdown reception from Brian Griese. The Buccaneers increased their lead to 14-6 when Gaines Adams picked off Kyle Orton for a 45 yard return for a touchdown. The Bears faked a punt with a direct snap to Garrett Wolfe for a 38 yard run to set up a 28 yard Robbie Gould field goal before time expired at the half.


A punting battle ensued well into the third quarter until broken by an Orton to Forte touchdown pass followed by a two point conversion allowing the Bears to reclaim the lead 17-14 late in the third quarter. The Bears followed with an unanswered TD pass from Orton to Brandon Lloyd midway through the fourth quarter to aparently clinch the game. But no, the never out Bucs struck back with a Matt Bryant field goal and a Brian Griese to Jerramy Stevens pass for a touchdown to tie the game and take it into overtime.

Halfway through the overtime period, the Bears' Charles Tillman gets flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct deep in their own territory to infuse new life into the Bucs drive and an eventual Matt Bryant field goal to cap the game. Brian Griese passed for over 400 yards for the first time in his career to carry the Bucs into their second consecutive win.

Buccaneers First Home Game 2008

Eight long months have passed with no regular season football in Tampa, Florida. An avid fan and club seating season ticket holder, I eagerly awaited the start of a new season. Sunday morning, after a hearty Cracker Barrel breakfast, my wife and I jumped into the 350Z and departed Fort Myers for the 2 hour plus drive to Tampa for the game. We pulled into the parking lot at Raymond James Stadium about an hour before kickoff. Tailgaters crowded the parking lot and excitement filled the air. We opted to skip tailgating and head into the stadium to enjoy the club area before it bacame too crowded.

Adrenaline and testoserone permeated the atmosphere as the first few bars of Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train reverberated through the stadium for the opening kickoff by the Buccaneers. Bucs rookie and first round draft pick Aqib Talib struck early in the first quarter picking off Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan at the 20 yard line and setting up a Brian Griese to John Gilmore pass for an early touchdown.

The Bucs struck two more times in the second quarter with a 17 yard Warrick Dunn touchdown run and a Matt Bryant 33 yard field goal before the Falcons had a chance to score with a 3 point Jason Elam kick from the 32 yard line. The Bucs stalled a little in the third and fourth quarters allowing two Elam field goals before Earnest Graham turned on the juice for a massive 68 yard touchdown run to clinch the win in spite of some seriously bad officiating. The 1-1 Buccaneers steam into Chicago next week to face the Bears and then return home to play the undefeated Packers and Aaron Rodgers on September 28th.