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View From The Sidelines: Monday Morning Quarterback

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By IRA KAUFMAN The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 16, 2008

Updated: 09/16/2008 12:12 am

There's a reason the Bucs treated Sunday's matchup against Atlanta as a must-win game - the difference between a 1-1 start and losing your first two games is enormous. In the past two seasons, only two (2006 Chiefs, 2007 Giants) of the 21 clubs that opened 0-2 made the playoffs. ... The Panthers have averaged 24 points per game in QB Jake Delhomme's five starts since the beginning of the 2007 season. Without Delhomme in that span, Carolina averaged 15 points.

Jacksonville's struggling ground game is putting too much pressure on David Garrard, who has already matched last year's total of three interceptions. ... A week after rising up against Tampa Bay, the Saints' defense returned to normalcy in the nation's capital as the Redskins rolled up 25 first downs and 455 yards. ... Eddie Royal, an undersized WR drafted in the second round out of Virginia Tech, has enjoyed a spectacular start for the surprisingly potent Broncos. ... They won the turnover battle, committed only two penalties and outgained Indy 180-25 on the ground. So just how did the Vikings manage to blow a 15-0 lead at the Metrodome?

Guess no one is second-guessing Buffalo coach Dick Jauron for last year's decision to bench J.P. Losman at QB in favor of Trent Edwards. ... The biggest concern for the Chargers isn't that 0-2 start, it's the lingering toe injury that threatens to wreck RB LaDainian Tomlinson's season. Don't blame San Diego's Nate Kaeding, whose .872 career success rate on field-goal attempts marks him as the most accurate kicker in league annals. ... Without Tom Brady, the Patriots know their defense will have to carry the defending AFC champions. So far, so good. Through two games, New England opponents are averaging only 2.5 yards on first down, about half the league average.

Will the person who stole Cleveland's offensive playbook please return it to coordinator Rob Chudzinski? ... Those eight sacks were nice, but Seattle can't be giving up 321 passing yards at home to J.T. O'Sullivan of the 49ers. That's no way for DBs coach Jim Mora to help Mike Holmgren before succeeding him on the sidelines next fall.

The Rams went 8-0 at home in both 1999 and 2003, but St. Louis has dropped 17 of its last 25 games at the Edward Jones Dome. No wonder good seats are still available. ... Detroit's second-year WR Calvin Johnson is primed for a monster year. Apparently, working against that soft secondary in practice fills a guy with confidence. ... Somebody needs to make an offer for Tony Gonzalez and pry a Hall of Fame TE out of that K.C. sinkhole. ... It's not dark yet for Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis, but it's getting there.

Through Sunday's games, the top six clubs in turnover ratio were a combined 11-1. ... The perennially sloppy Cardinals, victimized by 36 giveaways last season, haven't committed a turnover yet in beating the 49ers and Dolphins. ... The next NFL team with a head coaching vacancy should consider Jim Schwartz. Tennessee's 42-year-old defensive coordinator always has his guys ready and the Titans have allowed 17 points or fewer in six consecutive games.

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