A thought from a dark era and a Pro Bowl QB

Perhaps the most distressing element of the Bucs’ last two games were the very sluggish starts.

Yeah, yeah, Joe’s not buying the night-game silliness.

Whatever the reason, it happened. The Bucs limped out to a 14-6 halftime deficit against the Giants, and against New Orleans, well, history will remember that horrendous start.

So what about tomorrow? Will the Bucs come out super flat like they also did against Green Bay and the Chargers?

Or will they find their rhythm, hunger and mindset before the opening whistle?

After two consecutive early dumps, the Bucs must be looking for blood from the opening whistle. If they don’t, what would that say about team leadership?

Joe was just listening to former Pro Bowl QB Gus Frerotte talking Bucs on CBS Sports Radio (yeah, he really made a Pro Bowl) and he was emphasizing how the Bucs “got to come out on fire this week” more than anything else. He went on to say they need the style points of a commanding victory otherwise frustration will set in and Tom Brady will be unhappy.

Joe will really watch the trenches closely tomorrow. The Bucs have more talent than the Panthers there on both sides of the ball. There is just no excuse for them not to be ultra physical and win at the point of attack — from the opening whistle.

It would be great to see the Bucs look like a playoff team tomorrow. Once upon a time, Lovie Smith moronically said, “Football doesn’t really begin until November.” It was a goofy statement, especially from the leader of a terrible team, but November is when the truly good teams kick their games up a notch.