PLAYER OF THE GAME The Bucs never win this game without the stellar play of their defense and they don't win without the stellar play of their quarterback, Jeff Garcia, either. ...more

November 17, 2008

It was, as Jeff Garcia said afterward, "a matter of perseverance." ...more

November 17, 2008

They can build a two-score lead. The Bucs are going to have a hard time stopping RB Adrian Peterson, but they can limit Peterson's effectiveness and put the game on QB Gus Frerotte's shoulders if they can build a two-score lead at some point. ...more

November 16, 2008

Chris Hovan's career started in Minnesota. His life began in Tampa. When the Vikings arrive at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, Hovan will reminisce with some old friends before putting on his game face. ...more

November 15, 2008

The Bucs have no shortage of offensive problems. Though they are ranked eighth overall in yards, their running game has suddenly stalled, they are struggling to score in the red zone and their 16 giveaways are ninth-most in the league. ...more

November 15, 2008

Ira Kaufman, NFL writer for The Tampa Tribune, discusses the state of the NFL, his power rankings and the teams that are destined to pull away from the pack in each division. He also talks about what the Bucs need to do to contain the Vikings' Adrian Peterson. ...more

November 13, 2008

Cadillac Williams is back on the Bucs' roster, and he is ready and willing to play again after nearly 14 months of inactivity. It might be a while, though, before Williams feels like he is part of the team again. ...more

November 13, 2008

The Panthers should have lost their first playoff game based strictly on record. But after pulling off an upset there, the Panthers carried on to the Premier League championship, joining the Broncos and Colts as the teams that earned titles in the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/Optimist youth flag football program. ...more

November 12, 2008

IRA KAUFMAN'S POWER RANKINGS 1. Giants. They run when they want to run and throw when they want to throw. ...more

November 11, 2008

TAMPA CATHOLIC ... 56 BISHOP VEROT ... 0 THE DIFFERENCE: Tampa Catholic (7-2) dominated Bishop Verot (6-3) on both sides of the ball, but especially on the offensive line. The Crusaders ran downhill and had tons of time to throw, allowing them to pick apart the Vikings. After playing the first two games of the season with a new offensive line and seven or eight injured players, the Crusaders have been on a roll, winning seven in a row. ...more

November 8, 2008