Archives for September 2009

‘Of course Monday night in New England ended with the type of gutting defeat that is part of the membership package for Bills fans. The truth is, however, that today’s home opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs is a far more crucial date for a team desperate to move forward after yet another losing season.’

‘”I don’t know if (the Bills) feel any worse than we do,” rookie Bucs head coach Raheem Morris said by way of comparison. “A loss is a loss. There’s no moral victories.”‘

‘Buc Ball’ defense appears to be mired in a steep slide (Tampa Tribune)

Bryant listed as doubtful (Tampa Tribune)

Leadership must emerge for Bucs (Tampa Tribune)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris will keep an eye on all the finger-pointing (St. Petersburg Times)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Michael Clayton takes the hits as they come (St. Petersburg Times)

Perhaps Bucs can come disguised as a real defense (St. Petersburg Times)

Bit of a twist: Offense might carry Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season (St. Petersburg Times)

Kickin’ back with Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sammie Stroughter (St. Petersburg Times)

Bucs pass rush key against Bills (Sarasota Herald Tribune)

Secondary Concerns Will Get Tested by Dynamic Tandem (Lakeland Ledger)

Game Notes: Bucs at Bills, 4:05 p.m. ET (Buccaneers.com)

Biggers Lands on I.R., Cargile Returns (Buccaneers.com)

‘Terrell Owens didn’t make a splash in his first game with the Buffalo Bills. In fact, he rippled the water the most by not talking after the game, breaking an NFL rule that requires players to conduct postgame interviews.’

‘Benefitting Williams further is Tampa’s zone blocking scheme is very similar to the one he ran behind with enormous success in college at Auburn. Bucs head coach Raheem Morris maintains he’ll continue to go with the hot hand at running back, but each of the top three backs were used last week. Williams and Derrick Ward saw the most action.’

‘"I wouldn’t necessarily call it a youth movement, [but] I guess you would have to because we’re so young," Morris said during his weekly conference call. "When we go out, we want to practice a certain way. If you want to practice, you want to be fundamentally tough. You want to get back to some of your fundamental core beliefs."’

‘The Buffalo Bills will hold a ceremony during halftime of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to commemorate their 50th anniversary all-time team, which includes several players from their Super Bowl years. The ceremony is part of the franchise’s celebration of a half-century of football.’

‘With the Bills ahead against a dreaded AFC East rival on the road, you might have expected the Pats game would have had a rating in the 40s. Perhaps the pessimism surrounding the team kept early viewership down.’

‘And the 4:05 p.m. start, which may spread out the pregame traffic flow, also could increase drunken behavior — before, during and after the game.’

‘”I do think the guy behind him is capable. Buggs can run the defense. He takes command of the huddle. He’s a smart player. He can come in and be a presence in our front. He’s not Paul Posluszny, though.”‘

‘It is hard not to think of the Buffalo Bills receiver as a diva considering his resume. This is the same guy who infamously stood on the star in Dallas twice after scoring touchdowns for San Francisco, did sit-ups for the media in his driveway after Philadelphia kicked him out of training camp, told Jessica Simpson to stay away from Tony Romo when he played for Dallas, and even starred in “The T.O. Show” reality series about, of course, himself.’

T.O. just one of many diva receivers in NFL (Tampa Tribune)

Bryant listed as doubtful (Tampa Tribune)

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olson overhauls offense after all (St. Petersburg Times)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Bryant doubtful for Sunday vs. Buffalo Bills (St. Petersburg Times)

Clayton Reminding All of Catching Ability (Lakeland Ledger)

Coach of the Week: Dale Caparaso (Buccaneers.com)

Bryant Likely to Miss Buffalo Game (Buccaneers.com)

From the Desk Of: Raheem Morris (Buccaneers.com)

Been There Before (Buccaneers.com)

Game Preview: Bucs at Bills, Sept. 20, 2009 (Buccaneers.com)

‘Bills 24, Bucs 13.’

‘Over his career, all with Buffalo, he has 16 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and has added 423 tackles in 90 games. He has also defensed 76 passes.’

‘The seven-year veteran has 16 interceptions in 90 career games, and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2005. He was also a Pro Bowl alternate in 2006.’