If Bruce Almighty had pulled the trigger on acquiring Brett Favre, the Bucs would have kicked the ass out of Dallass last week Joe is convinced.

Joe provides his weekly take on what almost-Bucs quarterback Brett Favre would have done had he been with the Bucs and if the Bucs are better off without him.

This one is simple: Had Brett Favre been with the Bucs, the Bucs would have whipped Dallass last week. The biggest problem with the Bucs was that they didn’t throw the ball to the end zone, instead preferring to dink-and-dunk.

There is no such issue with Favre.

Last week Favre threw for two touchdowns, including a beautiful shot to Laveranues Coles where Favre enabled Coles to make a play on a pass the defense couldn’t touch (are you reading this Mr. Carmella?) for the winning score.

Jeff Garcia didn’t sniff the end zone.

With Favre, the Bucs would have won. In the loss to Dallass, the Bucs would have been better off with Favre.

Bucs defensive end Gaines Adams wraps up Dallass quarterback Brad Johnson for a sack in last week's disgusting loss to the Cowboys.

As he does each week, Joe documents Bucs defensive end Gaines Adams’ every move on the field.

NIP: Not in the play.
NOF: Not on the field.

Dallas – 14:55
First possession
1st-10, DAL23 14:55 Johnson incomplete pass down the middle.
Adams cuts inside and is blown up by left guard Kyle Kozier.
2nd-10, DAL23 14:50 Barber rushed to the right for 1 yard gain.
Steps back then cuts inside. NIP.
3rd-9, DAL24 14:11 Johnson incomplete pass down the middle.
At left end loops inside. No pressure.

Dallas – 10:57
Second possession
1st-10, DAL21 10:57 Johnson incomplete pass to the right.
Initially steps offsides but just gets back before snap. Adams then tries a backdoor rush but gets no where near Johnson.
2nd-10, DAL21 10:48 Johnson passed to Owens down the middle for 7 yard gain.
Tries to stutter-step around left tackle Flozell Adams. NIP.
3rd-3, DAL28 10:10 Johnson incomplete pass to the right.
Blows past Flozell Adams but Kozier picks him up and tosses him aside.

Dallas – 8:07
Third possession
1st-10, DAL7 8:07 Barber rushed up the middle for 2 yard gain.
Slides inside and gets an assist.
2nd-8, DAL9 7:27 Barber rushed to the left for 1 yard gain.
Shoved inside while Barber cuts outside.
3rd-12, DAL5 6:33 Barber rushed up the middle for 8 yard gain.
At left end attempts to go around Leonard Davis and gets nowhere.

Dallas – 1:04
Fourth possession
1st-10, DAL29 1:04 Johnson passed to Witten down the middle for 8 yard gain.
Adams uses a spin move to get inside and nearly nails Johnson.2nd-2, DAL37 0:31 Barber rushed to the right for 3 yard gain.
Shoved inside and tackles Barber.
2nd Quarter
Dallas continued
1st-10, DAL40 15:00 Johnson passed to Williams to the right for 8 yard gain.
Tries to dance around Flozell Adams. NIP.2nd-2, DAL48 14:21 Barber rushed to the left for 6 yard gain.
Fights his way inside and Barber sidesteps him to get to the outside.
1st-10, TB46 13:45 Barber rushed to the right for 1 yard gain.
NOF.
2nd-9, TB45 13:06 Johnson incomplete pass to the right.
NOF.
3rd-9, TB45 13:01 Johnson passed to M. Bennett to the right for 10 yard gain.
At left end gets a good first step on Davis but Davis recovers to shove him aside just before Adams gets to Johnson.
1st-10, TB35 12:30 Johnson passed to Owens to the right for 1 yard loss..
Adams takes a step back as if he expected a pass and Barber runs right through the whole that Adams left open.
2nd-11, TB36 11:53 Barber rushed to the left for 10 yard gain.
NIP.
3rd-1, TB26 11:07 Barber rushed up the middle for 2 yard gain.
NIP.
1st-10, TB24 10:23 Johnson incomplete pass to the left.
Adams gets real good penetration but Barber picks him up just as he’s about to drill Johnson.2nd-10, TB24 10:18 Barber rushed to the left for 4 yard gain.
Tries to go outside and Barber runs inside.
3rd-6, TB20 9:38 Johnson incomplete pass to the right.
At left end Marc Columbo just pushes him away.
4th-6, TB20 9:29 N. Folk kicked a 38-yard field goal.

Dallas – 2:23
Fifth possession
1st-10, DAL41 2:23 Barber rushed up the middle for 9 yard gain.
Stands up as if waiting for the run but to no avail as Barber runs right past him inside.
2nd-1, 50 2:00 Barber rushed up the middle for 3 yard gain.
Tries an outside loop. NIP.
1st-10, TB47 1:37 Johnson passed to Owens to the left for 4 yard gain.
At left end gets no pressure.
2nd-6, TB43 1:32 Johnson sacked by Adams
Runs an inside loop and is unblocked.
3rd-12, TB49 0:47 Johnson passed to Barber to the left for 1 yard gain.. TB committed 15 yard penalty.
At left end tripped up by Columbo.
1st-10, TB33 0:40 Johnson passed to M. Bennett to the right for 5 yard gain.
At left end, drops back into pass coverage in the left flat and picks up the tackle.
2nd-5, TB28 0:33 Johnson incomplete pass to the right
At left end tries an inside stunt but there are too many blockers so he leaps to try to tip the pass.
3rd-5, TB28 0:28 TB committed 6 yard penalty
Rolls outside and gets no pressure.
1st-10, TB22 0:21 TB committed 5 yard penalty
Fullback Deon Anderson ties up Adams after he gets past the line.
1st-10, TB17 0:18 Johnson incomplete pass to the left
Put on the ground by Flozell Adams.
2nd-10, TB17 0:13 Johnson passed to P. Crayton down the middle for 13 yard gain.. TB committed 2 yard penalty
Columbo does a nice job of keeping Adams from getting any pressure with good hand checks.1st-2, TB2 0:01 Johnson passed to Williams to the left for 2 yard touchdown. N. Folk made PAT
No pressure as Johnson gets the ball off right away.

Third quarter
Dallas – 14:32
Sixth possession1st-10 Barber rushed to the left for 5 yard gain.
Stutter-steps then waits for Barber who promptly runs inside.2nd-5 Johnson passed to Barber to the right for 2 yard gain.
At left end half-asses it as he dances with Columbo. NIP.
3rd-11 Barber rushed up the middle for 2 yard gain.
Tries to run around Columbo. NIP.
4th-1 Barber rushed to the right for 2 yard gain.
NOF.
1st-10 Barber rushed to the right for 5 yard loss.
Stands up as if waiting for Barber to come to him but Barber goes outside.
2nd-11 Johnson incomplete pass down the middle
Initially gets a good jump but Columbo takes out his knees.
3rd-10 Johnson passed to Barber down the middle for 1 yard gain.
NOF.

Dallas – 7:21
Seventh possession
1st-10, DAL48 7:21 Johnson passed to Owens to the left for 12 yard gain.
Kept away with good hand checks by Columbo.
1st-10, TB40 6:40 Barber rushed to the right for 11 yard gain.
Shoved outside by Columbo.
1st-10, TB29 6:06 Barber rushed to the right for 2 yard gain.
Shoved away by tight end Martellus Bennett.
2nd-8, TB27 5:28 Johnson incomplete pass to the left
Drops into pass coverage. NIP.
3rd-8, TB27 5:23 Johnson incomplete pass to the right
At left end, tries an inside stunt but there are too many bodies. Goes right and there’s no opening. Then stands straight up and tries to bat down pass.
4th-8, TB27 5:13 N. Folk kicked a 45-yard field goal

Dallas – 0:27
Eighth possession
1st-10, DAL23 0:27 Johnson passed to Barber down the middle for 14 yard gain.
Contains right and is in a position to make a tackle on Barber but he whiffs on the Dallas running back.
4th Quarter
Dallas continued
1st-10, DAL37 15:00 Barber rushed to the left for 2 yard gain.
Owned by Flozell Adams.
2nd-8, DAL39 14:22 Johnson sacked by Adams
From a very wide split Adams flies past all blockers for the sack and nearly forced a fumble.
3rd-17, DAL30 13:50 Johnson passed to Barber to the right for 4 yard gain.
At left end stutter-steps past Columbo and gets some pressure on Adams.

Dallas – 12:33
Ninth possession
1st-10, DAL14 12:33 Johnson incomplete pass to the left
Sets up to contain outside. No pressure.
2nd-10, DAL14 12:29 Johnson incomplete pass to the right
Gets a good fast jump to the outside then stops and cuts inside.
3rd-10, DAL14 12:22 DAL committed 5 yard penalty
3rd-15, DAL9 12:22 Johnson passed to M. Bennett to the left for 6 yard gain.
At left end takes a step outside then cuts inside but there is nothing but congestion. Adams reads the play well and runs outside to get an assist.

Dallas – 9:58
10th possession
1st-10, DAL14 9:58 Barber rushed to the left for 6 yard gain.
Bottle up inside as Barber goes outside.
2nd-4, DAL20 9:18 Barber rushed to the left for 2 yard loss.
Flies in and overruns Barber.
3rd-6, DAL18 8:40 Johnson passed to Owens to the left for 11 yard gain.
At left end slides inside and gets no pressure.
1st-10, DAL29 8:21 Barber rushed to the right for 1 yard gain.
At left end contains outside and is locked up by Columbo.
2nd-9, DAL30 7:45 Johnson passed to Curtis to the left for 8 yard gain.
NOF.
3rd-1, DAL38 6:57 Barber rushed to the left for no gain.
NOF.
4th-1, DAL38 6:28 Barber rushed to the right for 1 yard gain.
NOF.
1st-10, DAL39 5:44 Barber rushed to the right for 4 yard loss.
Runs inside. NIP.
2nd-14, DAL35 5:04 Johnson sacked by R. Sims
Takes two steps inside then backs off.
3rd-19, DAL30 5:04 Johnson passed to Barber to the left for 7 yard gain.
At left end tries a spin move but gets no pressure.

Mike Florio, the creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com has a breakdown of the NFC playoff picture. If the season ended today the Bucs would be tied with Dallass for the final playoff berth and thanks to that wretched offensive performance (yeah, Joe’s looking right at you Chucky!) the Bucs have lost the tiebreaker with Dallass.

Said Florio, “”I’m Not Ready To Write Off The Buccaneers.”

Banished to the doghouse, Michael Bennett should get handoffs from his former doghouse buddy, Jeff Garcia, in K.C. on Sunday.

Back on Sept. 16, Joe told you Michael Bennett was a bitter man. Bennett had a microphone stuck in his face in the Bucs locker room by the Pewter Report and referenced playing for a new team and how he might move on “with some other players.”

Per league rules, this video disappeared from Pewter Report’s Web site within 24 hours. Michael Bennett also disappeared since that time.

He’s been buried on Chucky’s bench or inactive, even when Bucs brass knew Warrick Dunn was banged up entering the Dallas game.

A former Pro Bowl running back, Bennett was handpicked by Bruce Almighty and Chucky to join the Bucs last year. At 30 years old with light mileage, he’s in his prime and ready to contribute.

Yet rather than use him, Chucky deactivated him last week and opted to moan about a “shortage of running backs.”

During preseason Bennett proved healthy, quick and consistent in the former Earnest Graham role of August workhorse, the go-to guy when the first-teamers left the game.

According to the Tampa Tribune, Chucky said Bennett may emerge from the doghouse in Kansas City this week and take some handoffs from his former doghouse buddy, Jeff Garcia.  

Joe’s pulling for Bennett.

Success this week will likely prompt Chucky’s forgiveness and have the coach expand his options to dress three running backs on Sundays. The Bucs could use all the offensive firepower they can muster.

Carmella's father-in-law says the Bucs can't find a hole

Regular JoeBucsFan.com readers know how much Joe loves Bob Garcia, Jeff Garcia’s candid ex-football coach dad, who is one the most entertaining Bucs analysts on the planet.

Here’s good ol’ dad with a take on last week’s game and the state of the Bucs’ running game. We apologize for the expletive.

“[The Bucs] played pretty well, but offensively, god, we haven’t been able to run the ball the last two games.

The [running game] numbers have been poor for quite a while, even against Denver. Jeff said, ‘Hey, they stayed in that Cover 2 and we tried to run the ball but we [couldn’t].’

“There’s no openings. I’m watching other teams where, shit, the guy is just running through a hole into the secondary. But our guys have a tough time getting through the line of scrimmage. Why it is, I don’t know. But [the Bucs’] coaches, they’re able to look at the film and slow it down and see who’s making the block or if they’re getting any movement up front.

The elder Garcia, who was a legendary high school and small college coach in Northern California, has a weekly blog for the Gilroy Dispatch. He speaks his mind on all things Bucs, 49ers and local sports. You can find it at GarlicSports.com

Don’t fret Bucs fans. Despite the injuries beginning to mount for the Bucs, there’s really no reason to be concerned.

The latest injury seems to be guard Arron Sears who suffered a concussion in practice earlier in the week, so reports Dave Scheiber of the St. Petersburg Times. That’s on top of running back Warrick Dunn’s pinched nerve and safety Jermaine Phillips’ broken left forearm.

Why isn’t Joe sweating? Because of the Bucs’ depth.

Phillps could be a key loss but Sabby Piscitelli will fill in quite nicely. Plus, Piscitelli lays the wood to receivers so Joe will be happy to see some receivers splashed.

If Dunn can’t go, Joe is more than happy to see Michael Bennett take the field. His speed would be a nice changeup to Earnest Graham’s bulldozing style of running.

And if Sears can’t go, the Bucs have Jeremy Zuttah, who may be better than Sears.

Don’t worry Bucs fans. In years past this would be a time to be nervous. Not this season.

Travis Bell of WTSP has a video report on how Bucs defensive back Sabby Piscitelli will start this week at Kansas City in place of ailing Jermaine Phillips who has a broken forearm.

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune has his weekly Bucs podcast on TBO.com. Cummings has all sorts of tidbits including how the White Tiger, Joey Galloway, is getting frustrated at the offense. So is Joe.

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune has his weekly podcast on TBO.com. He talks about the loss to Dallass and a look at the game with the Chiefs. Cummings noted that pretty much the entire Bucs team, both players and coaches, are in agreement that the offense may not be agressive enough.

Cummings also hinted the White Tiger is getting frustrated with the timidity of the passing game.

Additionally, Cummings hints that Warrick Dunn is banged up and has a bad back. It’s bad enough that he may not be able to answer the bell in Kansas City.

Charley Casserly and Jason Horowitz of CBSSports.com preview the Bucs-Chiefs game. As good as the Bucs can be, it’s scary that the Bucs have but one road win. Give it a look.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Bucs running back Warrick Dunn is nursing a sore back and Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune suggests he is questionable to make the trip to Kansas City. Joe's not too concerned.

Some interesting news coming out of One Buc Palace Thursday from Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune.

Seems as though Warrick Dunn missed practice and Chucky wouldn’t say whether he will make the trip to Kansas City or not.

“I am one of these coaches who believes you got to practice to play,” Gruden said. “I don’t want to discount how important I think practice is, but we think he is going to be OK. We’ll let you know tomorrow. We got a number of guys who have been idle and it reflects the way you play. It’s a tough business, especially when you don’t practice. We think he’s going to be OK, but we’ll let you know tomorrow.”

Dunn got his back dinged in the loss to Dallass and Richardson hints Dunn is questionable for Sunday’s game.

Gruden did say he expected RB Michael Bennett to play if Dunn can not go. Considering Tampa Bay is playing Kansas City, which is 1-6, and the Bucs have a bye next week, there is a strong possibility Gruden might rest Dunn for important games down the stretch.

While Dunn, who will be replaced by Michael Bennett if he can’t go, was big news, what was bigger news is that Chucky was using Cadillac Williams in practice. Chucky, unless he is playing with a poker face, all but announced Cadillac was ready to roll.

“We had a 12 play simulation of the Chiefs,” Gruden said. “We did the best we could and Carnell took about 10 or 11 straight plays. It’s exciting to see him out there, but not only see him out there, but the progress. He really looked good today. Next week during the bye week, we’ll put the pads on and try to make it a little more tough, but step two went well today.”

Joe thinks Chucky was out of his mind last weekend when he said the Bucs are thin at running back and that was one of the reasons the Bucs lost to Dallass. While Joe would love to see Cadillac back, he is more of a mind that Chucky is blowing smoke.

Former Bucs tight end and current Bucs radio network analyst Dave Moore says Arrowhead Stadium is the loudest outdoor stadium in the NFL.

Current Bucs radio network analyst and former Bucs tight end Dave Moore was interviewed on the NFL Network today and it was really interesting.

Moore talked about a lot of things concerning the Bucs. One of the most interesting was Moore suggested the Chiefs, despite being a brutal team, will not be an easy win.

Moore went on to say Arrowhead Stadium is the loudest outdoor stadium for visiting teams to play in and the fans give opposing offenses fits in communicating. Give it a look.

As JoeBucsFan.com readers have come to expect, Joe has the power rankings for Week 9, including two new sources for the weekly mix.

The first new source is Joe’s friend, the guru of TheBigLead.com, Jason McIntyre. Mr. TheBigLead has the Bucs ranked No. 11.

“Best secondary in the league? Ask Steve Smith, Roddy White and Terrell Owens.”

The second new source is Vic Carucci of NFL.com. He still thinks highly of the Bucs as he has them at No. 8.

“The Bucs had a perfect opportunity to enhance their status as an elite team, and they squandered it.”

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com seems to be of the same mind. He also has the Bucs at No. 11.

“At some point, they must throw it more vertically. Jeff Garcia is more than capable. Let him go.”

Pat Yasinskas of BSPN.com lists the Bucs at No. 9.

“Loss to Dallas shows offense still doesn’t have any consistency.”

And as always Joe saves the best for last, Paul Zimmerman, the beloved Dr. Z of SI.com. Dr. Z has the Bucs at No. 7.

“The Cowboys’ only touchdown drive, aided by four penalties, was a discouraging thing. The worst part of it was down near the goal line, when Cowboys tackle Mark Colombo messed with LB Cato June, drew an annoyed retaliation — hardly anything serious — and, naturally, had worked referee Gene Steratore for a major penalty on the defense. And then I heard an interesting piece of information from Fox’s Daryl Johnston, the color commentator. Officials this year have been instructed to cut out the double foul penalty and designate only one recipient. Leave it to the league and its officials to screw things up wherever they can. For sake of expediency or image or whatever the hell motivates these people, they tell their officials to just make a call, whether it’s fair or unfair.”

Scott Reynolds of the Pewter Report suggests that if Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia doesn't start taking shots downfield, specifically at the end zone, Chucky may bench him for Luke McCown.

Interesting little tidbit Joe heard while coming home from work.

Joe was listing to the Buccaneer Blitz heard on WDAE-AM 620 with Scott Reynolds of the Pewter Report and WDAE’s Steve Duemig. Reynolds hinted that there may be (another) quarterback change in the near future if the Bucs offense repeats this week in Kansas City that dreadful performance they turned in at Dallas last week.

Apparently talking to various players and Chucky, Reynolds claims Chucky was calling for passes to the end zone against Dallas but Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia was reluctant to throw there, instead checking down. Reynolds isn’t sure why Garcia wouldn’t try a shot at the end zone but suspected that Garcia was paranoid of throwing a pick.

This week in practice coaches have told Garcia (and also, God forbid, Son of Bob) that they really should be throwing to allow the receivers to make a play deep, not just throw to them when they are wide open short. In fact Reynolds claims allowing receivers to make a play when they have one-on-one coverage was emphasized this week to Garcia and (God forbid) Son of Bob.

Antonio Bryant’s touchdown pass in the first quarter against Seattle was an example of letting the receivers make a play.

Reynolds went on to say that if Garcia is benched again he’s done. If (God forbid) Son of Bob starts again and throws three picks like he is wont to do, he’s done.

Chucky will then turn to Luke McCown.

Reynolds seemed serious.

No cheers for the run defense in K.C.

Now cut that out. This isn’t an X-rated post. Joe is talking about the Chiefs’ run defense.

Joe isn’t ever going to analyze endless stats for you. But he appreciates when others do the work for him.

The good men over at Arrowhead Pride have all the ugly stats of the Chiefs’ worst-in-the-NFL run defense, and a look back at how consistently poor it’s been in recent years.

Take a look. In 2008, Chiefs are last in the NFL stopping opponents who run over right tackle.

This is great news for Jon Gruden and his mysterious running back shortage.

The man known as “The Backwards Hat,” Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger, has his weekly video report on the Bucs. In this segment, Backwards Hat talks about, among other things, kickoff return specialist Clifton Smith’s “zoom.”

The Chiefs have one win their last 16 games. Herm Edwards' recent quotes reveal a lifeless coach

SInce Joe recommended you wager on the Bucs in Kansas City on Sunday, he’s been keeping an extra close eye on what’s happening in Chiefsland.  

(Bucs are giving up 9 points and the game is only the 2nd bet Joe has advised this season. Yes, Joe is 1-0.)

The lack of energy coming from Chiefs coach Herm Edwards is surprising, and it doesn’t bode well for Kansas City. Edwards always has been an upbeat, preacher-motivator kind of guy.

But apparently he has no confidence in the Chiefs new spread offense led by quarterback Tyler Thigpen, according to the Kansas City Star,

… That’s what makes Edwards nervous. The Chiefs’ offensive line is young, and the coach expects the Bucs to target Thigpen and try to make the quarterback as nervous as the coach.

Edwards squirmed when asked Tuesday whether he thought Thigpen could read and beat blitzes, something he’d have to do if Tampa Bay is as aggressive as Edwards predicted.

“The guy has only played two games,” Edwards said.

It seems the toll of only win in its last 16 games has the Chiefs’ leader crying the blues. 

Joe is confident Kansas City is the worst and least dangerous team in football.

It’s nearly 1 a.m. Wednesday and Joe is tired. As a result, Joe is too exhausted to go on a long rant.

Not sure if you have heard or seen this (it’s been all over the internet) but a wannabe sports journalist by the name of Danyelle Sargent asked newly ordained San Francisco coach Mike Singletary if he had placed a call to his “mentor” Bill Walsh upon getting the Niners head coaching gig.

Joe was so blown away by this he was speechless. As was Singletary.

First off, Walsh was not Singletary’s “mentor.” It was Mike Ditka and/or Buddy Ryan. The Bears and the Niners were bitter rivals when Singletary played.

Second, there’s this troublesome little detail that Walsh is dead.

This question is so moronic Joe really doesn’t know how to appropriately put into words his disgust. Why is someone with such an abject ignorance of the NFL given a media credential much less employed by FOX?

The video does not have embed codes but Joe has the link.

This isn’t the first time Ms. Sargent has had a monumental screw up on the air. Seems as if she likes to blurt out the F-word on live TV while her co-anchor is narrating a sports highlight package. And for this there are embed codes. Fast forward to the :40 mark (be VERY careful if you are at work).

Joe thinks it’s a pretty good bet that this woman may not be working in sports journalism for long. Nor should she. First of all she doesn’t know enough not to scream profanities into a live mic. Even if the mic is dead, she’s sitting at an anchor desk. She’s not professional enough to understand that anywhere in a studio there can be a live mic?

Second, you would think that someone covering a sport would know just a little bit about the sport or at least be professional enough to do some homework. You know, like the game you are covering with a new coach maybe it might be a wise decision to try to read the man’s bio?

Joe cannot stand the NBA and hates all that is stands for. Joe cannot remember the last time he watched five minutes of an NBA game. It’s been at least 15 years since he watched an entire NBA game and Joe would be hard-pressed to name six NBA players. The NBA is totally off Joe’s radar. But even Joe knows that Red Auerbach is dead. And this Sargent is supposed to be a professional?

Joe is appalled beyond words. This woman has no business working another NFL game much less a high school game. Maybe Extra (“extra… ex-TRA!“) has an opening?

Sideline reporters are pretty much useless if they are not pretty. Even if they are hot, only a few really know what they are talking about. Erin Andrews, Bonnie Bernstein, Stacy Dales, Holly Rowe and Tracy Wolfson actually do a decent job and have a clue. They should be more than a little irate at this Sargent woman.

Somewhere, Lisa Guerrero is laughing.

Former Bucs quarterback Doug Williams is one of five former Bucs who have been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Looks like some old Bucs are getting some love.

Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune reports that five former Bucs are have been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The fab five are: quarterback Doug Williams, linebacker Hardy Nickerson, punter, the late Reggie Roby, offensive lineman Lomas Brown and offensive lineman Randall McDaniel. The latter three only had a cup of coffee with the Bucs.

The final list of nominees that will be considered for election will consist of the 15 modern-era finalists and the two previously announced senior nominees, Bob Hayes and Claude Humphrey. Hayes and Humphrey were selected this past August by the Hall of Fame’s Senior Selection Committee.

The nominees will be whittled down to a list of 25 sometime in November. Then, the list will be paired down some more to about 15 for a final ballot to be voted upon the Saturday before the Super Bowl in Tampa, Jan. 31.

Joe came across a couple of BSPN talking heads discussing the Bucs loss to the Cowboys.

The NFL Network has video lowlights of the game with Jim Mora and Tom Waddle as well analysis from Rich Eisen, Deion Sanders and Steve Mariucci. Also, there is video of Chucky’s postgame comments.

The Bucs, despite having an average to subpar passing attack, are tied for the NFL lead in pass attempts which disturbs Joe.

The Bucs have a very good quarterback (NO! Not Son of Bob).

The Bucs best wide receiver is ranked No. 23 in the NFL in passing yards (Antonio Bryant).

The Bucs offensive line is more adept at running the ball.

The Bucs are No. 9 in the league in rushing yards, despite Chucky’s whining about a shortage of running backs (sort of like Bill Gates whining the computers in his house aren’t working properly).

Despite the obvious facts the Bucs have the weapons to run the ball and not as many weapons to pass the ball, this hasn’t convinced our very own Sunshine State version of Bill Walsh (who, to the surprise of some TV reporters is dead) that he shouldn’t tone down the throwing.

eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune points out the Bucs are tied for the league lead in pass attempts.

Only the Cardinals, who have played one fewer game than the Bucs, are averaging more passes than Tampa Bay, which heads into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to face the defenseless Chiefs (1-6) before a bye week.

Joe has noticed a troubling pattern here. It seems the Bucs play down to their opponents for some reason. Denver stunk against the run, yet Chucky tries to have Son of Bob beat Denver. The Bucs lose.

The Seahawks stinks out loud yet the Bucs at home couldn’t put them away and actually kept the Seattle in the game until the final minutes despite dominating time of possession.

Dallass virtually had it’s entire defensive backfield wiped out, yet Chucky doesn’t test them with deep balls even though Antonio Bryant and the White Tiger were both on the field.

Kansas City stinks worse than the cattle manure from one of its stockyards. Yet Joe has the feeling Chucky’s going to try to be cute (as he usually does) and try to dink-and-dunk the Chiefs to death. Meanwhile, and Kansas City will be in a position to win the game in the final minutes.

The tough Bucs defense will great Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen on Sunday in Kansas City. The Bucs have dominated inexperienced quarterbacks all season

Joe knows Sunday’s game in Kansas City is truly a must-win for the Bucs. Forget about losing ground in the tight NFC South standings. If the Bucs lose this game, it would be one of the biggest upsets of the year in the NFL and reveal the Bucs as a playoff pretender.

The Chiefs stink.

Columnist Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star wrote an excellent analysis of the Chiefs’ collapse today. Joe recommends it highly. 

Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ most expensive player, Larry Johnson, is lost. He has been charged with assault, again, fourth incident in five years, and he’s been inactive the last two weeks, he’s staring smack into an NFL suspension (probably a pretty significant one). … it’s very clear that the Chiefs made a huge blunder giving him a big contract. A year ago, Larry Johnson was the centerpiece of the Chiefs’ future. Now, he might not even be a part of it.

Starting at QB for Kansas City is Tyler Thigpen. Think Bruce Gradkowski. (Sorry. Joe knows that’s a painful image).

Thigpen is a 2007 seventh round pick out of Coastal Carolina. He followed two truly horrendous outings with a strong performance against the Jets on Sunday,  25 of 36 for 280 yards with two TDs and a 110.9 rating.

If you’re a betting man, Joe recommends saving your money for this game.

The Bucs have beaten and covered the spread against three other – and better – inexperienced quarterbacks this season, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers and Seneca Wallace.