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Henderson column: Bucs Can More Or Less Seal It Today

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Joe Henderson

Published: December 2, 2007

Updated: 12/02/2007 12:15 am

NEW ORLEANS - If we can skip past the melodrama surrounding the Bucs' quarterbacks for a moment, it's easier to see today's game against the Saints for what it really is. The Bucs have an extraordinary opportunity to put a boot on the neck of the NFC South.

Win, and they all but clinch the division with a month still to play.

Win, and they probably will have a chance to rest Jeff Garcia's aching back, Michael Pittman's aching ankle and Joey Galloway's aching everything before the playoffs open.

Win, and it's a breeze with a three-game lead.

Lose, and it's still a race. The lead will be one game with four to play.

"We know what's at stake. They know what's at stake," defensive tackle Jovan Haye said. "Everyone knows. If we beat them, we'll be three games up. If they get this win, they'll be one game closer."

Someone suggested it's all-or-nothing for the Saints.

"It's all-or-nothing for us, too," he said. "This is a real big game. First of all, we have to get to the playoffs, and this game will put us one game closer to that."

Well, it's a little more "all" or a lot more "nothing" for the Saints, depending on the outcome. You could blow out your calculator figuring the possibilities, but why bother? The race would be over if the Bucs win.

If the Bucs lose, though, they still have a game cushion and a forgiving schedule.

That's a comfort. But it's not one they wish to think about just yet.

Drama Under Center? Not Really

So that leads us to the fun part.

Although Jon Gruden has remained coy all week on the subject of his quarterbacks, it's a reasonable assumption Garcia will be declared healthy enough to give it a go. At least that's what the smoke signals from 1 Misdirection Place indicated after he practiced Friday.

Every player in the NFL is dealing with some sort of ailment this time of the year, so we won't waste space or your time by posing the theoretical debate on the best course for Gruden to take if Garcia indeed passes physical muster.

It's an easy decision in the Big Easy.

No use even wondering if it wouldn't be prudent to run Luke McCown out there and give Garcia another week to heal and save him from having his back (and associated body parts) being slammed into the artificial turf of the Superdome.

"If he's cleared to play, he's playing," Gruden said. "If he's not, he's not. That's the best I can say."

"If" he's cleared to play? That seems to leave a little mind-changing room, because who can say what kind of shape he has to be in to be cleared. That likely will be a game-time decision, although Gruden has no doubt known for a while what he's going to do.

The guessing game this past week has been part of the shell game he is playing with the Saints and the rest of us. And there are other players in the game of Name That Quarterback! They swear they don't know for sure what's happening either and likely won't until just before kickoff.

"I wish I could tell you," McCown said. "All three of us are getting ready to go. We'll play whatever role we have to play. That's the way it has been since training camp. Nothing is set in stone. Jeff is working hard to make sure he is on the field, and we'll see what it's like on Sunday.

"We have to prepare as if we're going to play, and when he lets us know, he lets us know."

But we know Gruden.

Gruden smells blood. This whole Bucs team does. There is a chance to all but win the division today. If Garcia's walking, he's playing. That's just the mentality a football player has this time of year with this much at stake.

Different Team

The Bucs routed New Orleans 31-14 when they met the second week of the season in Tampa. They led 21-0 at the half, and the Saints never made a game of it.

But after starting the season 0-4, the Saints have won five of their past seven, and that's where we are today. The Saints figure to give the kind of effort that customarily goes with a team's last stand. The Bucs can counter with the knowledge that a prize awaits them if they can find a way one more time.

Win today and they can start making playoff plans.

"I wouldn't say the division is wrapped up until Week 16, no matter what happens today," linebacker Derrick Brooks said.

Maybe not officially. But win today and the task ahead gets a lot easier, especially since all playoff roads in the NFC eventually lead through Green Bay (in January) and Dallas.

With all that in play, if you see McCown or Bruce Gradkowski under center, you'll know Garcia is much worse off than we've been led to believe and the sky really has fallen. Otherwise, you know what to expect. You know what they're thinking.

The same thing every player and coach thinks.

Win today.

They can rest later.

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