Archives for December 2013

‘Let’s look at NFL workplace statistics. The average player’s career is less than four years. The life expectancy of a player is 20 years less than the average American male. They suffer from a significantly higher incidence of early dementia, depression and suicide. Within two years of retirement, 78 percent of NFL players have gone bankrupt or are in serious financial distress. With this track record, a normal company would be visited by our friends at OSHA to discuss workplace safety.’

‘”Yeah, we’ve known each other for a long time,” Glennon said of Manuel, who he will face again today when the Bucs take on the Bills at Raymond James Stadium. “I remember in the state semifinals one year, we played against a school right by him and he came to the game just to watch me.”‘

‘”Yeah, I’m looking forward to getting down there and playing against Mike,” Manuel said on a conference call Wednesday. “He’s been doing well, so I look forward to going out and having a good game.”‘

Bucs’ Glennon, Bills’ Manuel add new chapter to friendly rivalry (Tampa Tribune)

Dotson quickly become well-rounded right tackle (Tampa Tribune)

Tampa Bay takes on Buffalo (Tampa Tribune)

Bucs have improved pass defense (Tampa Bay Times)

Bucs’ lack of edge rush creates several problems (Tampa Bay Times)

If anyone cares about Bucs-Bills, Schiano does (Tampa Bay Times)

Kickin’ back with Tampa Bay Bucs kicker Rian Lindell (Tampa Bay Times)

Scouting report (Tampa Bay Times)

What they’re saying, numbers (Tampa Bay Times)

The winner of Sunday’s Bucs-Bills game might be the loser (Bradenton Herald)

Manuel and Glennon Square Off Again Today (Lakeland Ledger)

Game Day: Bills at Buccaneers (Buccaneers.com)

‘It’s a true coin flip between these two teams. In the end, the edge is given to Tampa Bay because of their run game, their quick and aggressive defense and because EJ Manuel has yet to win a game on the road. The first 15 minutes will be very important for the Bills, because it will determine whether or not they’ve been able to move past their most crushing loss of the season. After the Bills lost to Kansas City in dramatic fashion, they played their worst game of the season in Pittsburgh. If they come out with a strong effort early on they could pull off a road win. But if the Atlanta loss lingers, Tampa Bay will pounce on them.’

‘Manuel has thrown just four interceptions in 249 pass attempts. That rate ranks seventh best in the NFL this season. Only one rookie quarterback in the last 10 years (Robert Griffin III) has finished a season with a lower INT rate.’

‘”He’s having a heck of a year,” said Bills guard Kraig Urbik. “He’s one of the best D-tackles in the league, period, not just the NFC. From what I’ve heard he’s gotten good pointers from Warren Sapp. It shows this year. He’s just trying to cause havoc. He penetrates quick.”‘

‘Lose to the Bills … You don’t lose to the Bills. You just got crushed at Carolina. You got crushed, and you can’t get crushed again. And losing to the Bills would be twice as bad as losing to the Panthers.’

‘”He’s a great guy,” Glennon said of Manuel. “His parents are great people. It’s just neat that through high school, you don’t know what’s going to happen. And then in college, we played against each other and now again in the NFL.”‘

‘”I’m ready to show out, man,” Robey said by phone Thursday. “I’m really ready to showcase my talent to the hometown. I mean, I’m going to be in Tampa. That’s just 30, 40 minutes from my home. We played in Miami but this is home. I can’t wait to show out for myself and my supporters.”‘

Bucs losing to Bills would be big blow (Tampa Tribune)

Team need more yards after catches (Tampa Tribune)

Bucs’ Glennon, Bills’ Manuel have bond (Tampa Bay Times)

Bucs’ Jackson likely game-time decision (Tampa Bay Times)

Buffalo Bills Nickell Robey Geared Up for His Homecoming (Lakeland Ledger)

Bucs’ Vincent Jackson listed as questionable for Sunday (Fox Sports Florida)

Keys To Defeat for the Bucs Against the Buffalo Bills (WHFS-AM)

Key Matchups: Buccaneers vs. Bills (Buccaneers.com)

Buccaneer Notes & Quotes, Dec. 6 (Buccaneers.com)

‘”We didn’t play against each other (in high school). I still remember, in the state semifinals, we played against a school right near him and he came to the game just to watch me. He’s a great guy. His parents are great people,” Glennon added. “It’s just neat that, through high school, you don’t know what’s going to happen, and then college we played each other, and now again in the NFL.”‘

‘Only Marquise Goodwin and Kyle Williams are listed as probable for Sunday’s game.’

‘That system, honed during his time with the Ravens and Jets, is also particularly difficult on rookie quarterbacks. Buffalo squares off against Tampa Bay’s Mike Glennon, a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.’

‘Spero Dedes (play by play), Steve Beuerlein (analyst).’