Top 10 Reasons Why RG3 Should Request Trade to Bucs

Hopefully, Robert Griffin III (RG3) will fully recover from his recent knee surgery and continue to dominate football as one of the NFL's most exciting players ever. But is he safe in the hands of greedy Redskin's owner Daniel Snyder and "win at all costs" coach Mike Shanahan?

With Josh Freeman's contract up for renewal, I feel now is certainly the time for RG3 to request a trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and my Top 10 reasons are below.

10. The weather in Tampa is considerably better than in Washington, DC, particularly during the harsh months late in the football season. Injuries and bruises heal faster in Florida.

9. Ronde Barber would decide to stick around another year to be a London Fletcher type of mentor.

8. He would no longer be confused with Cedric Griffin. Coach Schiano does not tolerate drug abuse. Just ask Aqib Talib.

7. The Bucs' groundskeepers keep the playing surface in top condition, unlike the field at FedEx Field which receives little maintenance.  Because Snyder had spent too much on gourmet food for the owner's box, the Redskins could not re-stripe and paint fresh logos on the field for a nationally televised NFC Playoff game.

6. Doug Martin reminds me a lot of Alfred Morris.

5. Rather than slur indigenous people, Bucs' fans head to the Hard Rock Seminole Casino after the game to hand them their money.

4. Tampa fans could care less about politics and do not realize the geographical difference between Washington DC and Washington State.

3. Rebecca Liddicoat would enjoy the pristine beaches over the dirty city, and with better schools and churches, Tampa would be an ideal place to raise children.

2. RG3's orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, owns a home in Florida and practices in Gulfbreeze one day per week.

And the #1 Reason: Unlike Mike Shanahan, Coach Schiano would always protect his long term investments and would never sacrifice a star player's career, particularly with a 14-0 lead!

And many would ask, since the Redskins virtually sold their soul to acquire RG3, what would this deal cost?  I think it would take a trade for Eric Wright and Vincent Jackson, two second round draft picks, and a boatload of Adderall.

As you can see in the photo below, the last time Robert Griffin III visited Tampa, he asked the Buccaneers to pray with him for this trade to happen!

Trans Siberian Orchestra Live in Tampa

Imagine a sensory smorgasbord, a buffet of auditory and visual delicacies, a journey where fantasy becomes reality as you allow yourself to witness peace over persecution, joy over darkness, and imbibe in overwhelming pleasure. Words simply cannot describe the spectacular event know as a Trans Siberian Orchestra (TSO) show.  This spectacular musical extravaganza brings utter amazement to the senses as they strive to maintain pace with the multitude of simultaneous events occurring on stage and all around the arena as guitars and violins wail, a dozen singers harmonize, dazzling lights blaze from all angles, fog pervades and fire erupts.

This event lives as the vision of legendary producer, lyricist, and composer, Paul O'Neill, who, in 1993, formed the band that blends classical and rock into a unique fusion, able to entertain fans of virtually all ages.  O'Neill managed to form this unparalleled band as a marriage between his experience producing metal bands, Aerosmith and AC/DC, with his admiration for the progressive music of Yes and Pink Floyd, and his love for the beautiful R&B harmonies of the Four Tops and the Temptations.  What emerged exists as one of music's top drawing live and top selling recorded acts.

Last night, I enjoyed the rare privilege of witnessing TSO live in Tampa performing a two part show in which they enacted Christmas Eve and Other Stories, a rock opera included in their Christmas trilogy, and then continued with a mixture of songs from the remainder of their albums, but primarily devoted to Christmas. Prior to the opening act, band leader and MC for the night, guitarist Chris Caffrey, handed local DJ, Mason Dixon, a check made payable to the Mason Dixon Charitable Foundation, for over $8,000, representing $1 for every ticket sold.  To date, the band has donated over $10 million to local charities.

During the first part, narrator, Brian Hicks, wove an incredible tale of a young man, portrayed by heavy metal vocalist Ronny Munroe, who wanders into a bar on Christmas Eve where he encounters a mysterious old man who tells him a tale about the magical effect of Christmas day on the human race. The band interlaces theatrically embellished music along with the story, accompanied by an incredible assortment of lights,  pyrotechnics, and moving, animated trusses and catwalks. With no intermission, only a brief introduction of the vocalists by Caffrey, the band immediately commenced the second half performing Christmas classics like "Christmas Canon", "Faith Noel" and "Carol of the Bells" with the unmistakable heavy metal touch that only TSO delivers.

O'Neill only allows the band to perform Christmas music only during November and December, so to encompass as many venues as possible, the group splits into two separate touring units thus enabling them to hit most major cities during the hectic holiday season. From now until Christmas, the split band will perform 4 shows day per day, an exhaustive schedule, particularly when the stage crew needs 15 hours just to set up the elaborate special effects. TSO merges back into one cohesive group for touring and performing the remainder of the year. With this wider span of calendar, TSO launches on another tour right after New Year's Day performing Beethoven's Last Night, enabling them to slightly slow the pace and hit many smaller cities and venues. I witnessed the east crew, featuring Caffrey and Night Ranger's Joel Hoekstra on guitar, David Z on bass, violinist Roddy Chong, and drummer, Jeff Plate, who has been with TSO since their formation in 1993, as well as a host of vocalists, and members of Tampa's local symphony orchestra. 

Trans Siberian Orchestra stands at the forefront, propelling and evolving a genre created by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Yes, and King Crimson, continuing to amaze and astonish their fans with every theatrical trick in the book.  If ever presented the opportunity, please do yourself a favor and witness this spectacle first hand. I've attended 10-20 concerts per year for the last thirty years and have not observed anything like it.  After the finale, I sat in my chair, in awe, unable to move, until the crowd slowly dissipated.

Enjoy this clip from last night as TSP performs "Carol of the Bells"

Farewell Monte

The architect who so carefully designed the much feared Tampa Bay Buccaneer defense will grace Raymond James Stadium with his presence one last time this Sunday as the Raiders travel to Tampa to face the Bucs. Monte Kiffin will leave the Bucs after this season to join the staff at the University of Tennessee where his son Lane was recently named head coach. During his thirteen year tenure as the Buc's defensive coordinator, no other team in the NFL has allowed fewer points.

Monte will pass the torch to defensive backs coach Raheem Morris who, at 32 years of age, is younger than players Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber. Although young and with big shoes to fill, Morris' high energy attitude will fit nicely into the Tampa defensive scheme, especially if he continues with Kiffin's legendary Tampa 2 defense.

The Bucs will honor Kiffin during half time of Sunday's game in a bittersweet ceremony. Good luck Monte, you will be sorely missed, and SEC quarterbacks and running backs, beware!

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.

John Lynch Retires

Former Bucs safety John Lynch will announce his retirement later today from a news conference at the Buccaneers headquarters located at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa. The nine time pro-bowler, known for his hard hitting style, helped lead the Bucs to victory in the 2002 Super Bowl. Lynch played his first eleven seasons in Tampa until traded to the Denver Broncos in 2004, where he played the last four. He signed with the Patriots during this year's pre-season but they released him prior to the first game. Good Luck John and God bless!

Bucs Take Vikings by the Horns

In a brief respite from the rigors of managing a small business during a downward economic spiral and political blogging, the wife and I headed north to Raymond James Stadium to watch the Bucs stomp the Vikings.

Adrian Peterson slithered his way through the Tampa defense at every opportunity but to no avail as the Bucs defeated the Vikings 19-13.

Matt Bryant kicked 3 field goals and a rectivated B.J. Askew ran for a touchdown as the Bucs defeated their pre-realignment black and blue division rivals.

Happy Birthday Billy

The world's modern day Apostle Paul, well known evangelist Billy Graham turns 90 years old today. Billy has spent a lifetime ministering to the lost, delivering a straight forward gospel message of the sacrifice made for us all by Jesus Christ on the cross. Reverend Graham has never been involved in scandal or controversy, nor allowed himself to be tainted by the bizarre elements of fringe Christianity. Billy Has preached to over 2 billion people around the world where almost 3 million have stepped forward and given their lives to Christ. He has personally met with every American president since Harry Truman.

In 1998, I had an opportunity to attend a Billy Graham crusade at Raymond James stadium in Tampa, featuring musical guests Jars of Clay and DC Talk. The event still holds the record for the largest crowd at that venue. It looks like Billy is more popular than the Bucs! Although already a Christian at the time, I will still never forget the impact that he had on my life.

Suffering from Parkinson's disease for over 15 years, Billy Graham's health continues to decline so it will not be long before he returns home to meet his maker. I'm certain that the first thing the Lord will utter to him is "Well done my good and faithful servant".

Happy Birthday Billy and God bless you!

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.

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.