Bucs an Ugly 5-3
(November 8, 2005)

Before the season began, most would have been happy with the idea of the Bucs winning five of their first eight. After all, that would be as many games as the team won all last season. After some of those traditional ugly wins, there is a possibility that this team will redefine that word.

Things look good. Cadillac Williams ran for an NFL record 434 yards in his first three games, becoming the first player to start his career with three 100 yard games. Brian Griese and Joey Galloway where hooking up on big plays. The Bucs won at Minnesota and Green Bay. They posted home victories over Buffalo, Detroit and Miami. The only blemish was a loss in New York to the Vinny Testeverde lead Jets. Going into the bye week, the Bucs had the league's number one defense and the best record in the NFC at 5-1.

Things look bad. Brian Griese goes down with a season ending injury and Cadillac Williams nurses a sore foot. In his last three games, Williams has just 62 yards on 35 carries. Simeon Rice is late to a meeting and is flying home as the Bucs lose to 1-7 San Francisco. In two starts, Chris Simms is sacked ten times, intercepted four times and coughs up two fumbles. At the midway point of the 2005 season, the Bucs are 5-3.

Forecast calls for more of the bad. This is not a playoff caliber team. It was not until the eighth game that the Bucs played a team with a winning record, which resulted in their worst loss at Raymond James Stadium. Chris Simms continues to look like a deer-in-the-headlights and will likely be replaced soon by mid-season acquisition Tim Rattay. The team can't run, it can't pass and the defense will be worn out soon. Why not toss in the stat about 27 1/2 seasons and still no kickoff return for a touchdown.

Eight games left with six against teams with winning records. This could redefine ugly.