Surprise! Bucs Win Division
(January 4, 2006)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the biggest turn-a-round in franchise history. Last season's 5-11 has been reversed to 11-5 and a NFC South Division championship. Few, myself included, ever saw it coming.

In a preseason article I asked, "Will the Bucs thirtieth season, like so many before, be written off as a rebuilding year?" I went on to say, "The team is really counting on first round pick Carnell 'Cadillac' Williams, the Auburn RB was the fifth overall selection in the draft, but his experience is limited to around a dozen preseason carries." Another comment was "Injuries could create a downward spiral." I closed the article with, "It seems like the Bucs have not done enough to improve over last season, but league parity can make just about anybody a playoff contender. The Bucs will need plenty of breaks, or the franchise's thirtieth season may remind us more of Bucco Bruce than Pewter Power."

In a mid-season article, after the Bucs had been pummeled by Carolina, I wrote, "This is not a playoff caliber team." Or how about this, "Chris Simms continues to look like a deer-in-the-headlights and will likely be replaced soon by mid-season acquisition Tim Ratty. The team can't run, it can't pass and the defense will be worn out soon." I closed, "Eight games left with six against teams with winning records. This could redefine ugly."

Time to eat crow. Jon Gruden did the best coaching job of his career and brought the Bucs back to the top. They went 5-1 against the division, including winning all three on the road. Cadillac Williams proved to be the real deal and is expected to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Even injuries to starting quarterback Brian Griese and last year's leading receiver Michael Clayton could not stop this club. Chris Simms proved all the doubters wrong. He may be headed to big contract and Griese may be going elsewhere.

I must have been still reeling from the Panthers loss to write, "The team can't run, it can't pass and the defense will be worn out soon. This could redefine ugly." To be honest the Bucs offense, well, continues to be the Bucs offense. The defense finished first in the league.

The Bucs turned things around with 36-35 victory over Washington at Raymond James Stadium. Now it the same teams and place for a playoff game this Saturday. Any predictions?