Bucs coach Jon Gruden addressed the media for the last time this season Monday dressed all in black. It was appropriate attire. ...more

December 30, 2008

They can avoid a slow start. This has been a problem for the Bucs all year, and though they have shown the ability to bounce back and often do, they don't want to give up an early lead to the Raiders. If Oakland jumps to a lead, it will keep the ball on the ground and attack the middle of the Bucs' defense. That has proved to be a winning formula for rival teams the past few weeks, so the Bucs want to take an early lead and force the Raiders to lean on QB JaMarcus Russell and not on their running game. ...more

December 28, 2008

Bucs WR Antonio Bryant vs. Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha Bryant is the Bucs' best catcher but Asomugha might be the best young cornerback in the league. According to the Raiders, he has yet to give up a touchdown pass this year and has allowed opposing receivers to catch only eight balls for 133 yards. He has very good size but he might be hurting a bit after taking a hit to the neck last week. This matchup may be worth the price of admission, but the likelihood is the Bucs will have to find someone else to get the ball to if Asomugha is on Bryant all day. ...more

December 28, 2008

Within the next two weeks, we'll know whether Antonio Bryant is the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. ...more

December 26, 2008

Jon Gruden has been there. With the Bucs counting on help from a Philadelphia team that could take the field having already been eliminated from playoff contention, Gruden expects the Eagles to go all-out late Sunday afternoon against the Cowboys. ...more

December 25, 2008

Like that fourth-quarter pass to Ike Hilliard, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' playoff fate has slipped through their hands. ...more

December 21, 2008

If the football gods should allow the Bucs to somehow get a sponsor's exemption into the playoffs, let me pose this question: Do you think it really matters anymore? ...more

December 21, 2008

Bucs WR Antonio Bryant vs. Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie Bryant has become a real force in the Bucs' offense the past few weeks. He has clearly regained his comfort level with the league, and he is making plays all over the field. He is proving to be tough to slow down one-on-one, but he could have a hard time beating Cromartie. Cromartie has the size, speed and athleticism to match Bryant nearly stride-for-stride, and he is a big-time playmaker. The one thing Cromartie doesn't do well is tackle. If the Bucs can get the ball into Bryant's hands, he should win the battle for yards because he'll require more than Cromartie to bring him down. ...more

December 21, 2008

We have reached the point of critical mass in the Bucs' season and once again it rides on the health of an aging quarterback whose body may - or may not - allow him to participate. Not much is riding on today's game against San Diego, of course. Just the entire season, maybe. ...more

December 21, 2008

They didn't come off sounding disgruntled or demanding, but two Bucs pass-catchers made it clear this week that they'd like to get the ball a little more often, particularly when the Bucs reach the red zone. ...more

December 19, 2008