I'm a bit hacked off at what I'm hearing. Let's just say life isn't so cozy in the Bucs locker room. We didn't need Sherlock Holmes to figure that out, did we?
To lay it out there, I'm a bit disgusted with this 0-5 start to. Same goes for thousands of other Bucs fans.
But let me send a message to the boys who get paid to play on Sunday: You better show up this week! I can accept a team not winning because they weren't good enough on that day. I will not accept this rhetoric about a derisive locker room. Got it?
Gentleman, I believe you all came from winning programs. I believe somewhere in your career you knew what it took to win. I believe that some of you even know what it is like to win it all.
There is no pep talk needed at this point. By now, I would hope that each and every Buccaneer has looked in the mirror and gave themselves one.
Carolina comes to town this week. I believe you can beat Carolina. We'll take it one step further. I say you will beat Carolina.
Here's why.
In Philly last week I saw a young quarterback, Josh Johnson, take a step forward in his development as a leader. His sideline talk to the offense was something I've been looking for, and it finally showed up.
Yeah, I know, he got picked three times and fumbled once in that game. I also know that there were a few veterans out there who played with all thumbs. You know who you are.
Antonio Bryant told me this week he wasn't surprised Johnson stepped up. He also told me Johnson will also have to deal with leading when he screws up. In other words, let’s see what the young cat does when things don't go HIS way.
If everyone does what they're suppose to, Johnson will deliver. End of discussion.
Do you realize that if the Bucs don't take away those two deep burns by Jeremy Maklin, and score three touchdowns in or near the red zone where they turned the ball over, they win that football game?
The Bucs are riding a fine line between winning and losing. So far they lack finish. If they find that finish, they win.
I predict this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium the Bucs feel the sensation of finishing.
I made my mind up on this prediction after further review of the Philly game.
I'm not the eternal optimist. On the contrary, I just see talent wasted out there the last five weeks. Enough talent to be competitive. Enough talent to win.
I'm sure by now those that are reading this have just ordered up the men in the white coats for me. Sorry. I'm not going anywhere.
As for the Bucs, they have enough on that roster to hold their head up every week. I just don't know if they believe it.
No need to wait until Saturday. I'm taking the Bucs + 3 1/2, thinking they win this game outright.
