Bucs Lose 24-26

Well, let's get this over with. The Bucs, as is probably well known now, lost to the Panthers on a last second FG. The Bucs had fallen behind 17-0 and yet came back to take the lead twice. It almost seemed destined that the Bucs were going to pull it out. Unfortunately, on 4th and 7, the Bucs allowed Delhomme to run up the middle for 12 yards to put the Panthers in FG range. Had the Bucs kept the MLB near the line, they would have likely stuffed Delhomme and the game would have ended in our favor.

To make matters worse, Simms injured his spleen in the game, and had to have it removed last night. He's not likely to be football capable until the last month of the season, and it's unlikely the Bucs would want to risk bringing him back into the fold at that time. My sense is that his season is over. Whether or not his Bucs career is over is way too hard to say. Gradkowski has been named the starter, and appears to have all the tools needed to run the West Coast Offense the way Gruden wants it run. He's also a very fast scrambler, which is something Gruden really wants out of his QB's.

What was really disappointing, and is becoming clear, is that the Bucs look slow on defense, and can't really get the heat from the middle of the defensive line that they need. The Bucs clearly need to get someone better than McFarland to play Sapp's old spot. The missed tackles were way too numerous, as well. This defense needs to get right, or this team's got zero chance of making anything of this season. Right now it looks like it's going to be a long one.