showing signs of promise

The Bucs lost to the Lions 23-16 yesterday in their toughest loss of the season.

Apparently Mike Golic, co-host of ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning radio show, didn't look at the numbers of the game as he has the Detroit Lions as the fourth best team in the NFC after this loss.

This was a fluke loss for Tampa. I know all that matters is wins but take away two plays and Tampa would have dominated the game.

Tampa outgained Detroit by 144 yards on offense as they put up 422 yards to Detroit's 278. Time of posession also went Tampa's way as Tampa had an 11 minute advantage in time of posession, Tampa had 35 minutes 50 seconds to Detroit 24 minutes and 10 seconds. Tampa ran 30 more plays on offense than Detroit did, Tampa ran 77 plays to Detroit's 47 plays. If you control the clock, run more offensive plays, and gain more yardage than a team then just basic logic tells me that you should win.

Tampa had their first drive stalled and their punt blocked to begin the game. Detroit took advantage and put a field through the uprights. Tampa's second drive showed some promise, they were moving the ball, then Jeff Garcia fumbles and Detroit makes them pay. Detroit scored a touchdown and were off to a quick 10 point lead. Tampa's next drive took time off the clock and ended with a Ike Hilliard touchdown reception. Tampa forced Detroit to punt on their next drive then drove down the field again only to miss the game tying field goal. They then allowed Detroit to drive close enough to put a field goal through before the half. At halftime the score was 13-6. Tampa stopped Detroit's first drive of the 3rd quarter but werent able to do anything with their own first drive of the 3rd, it ended with another punt. The following possession Detroit drove down for another field goal, score Det 16, TB 7. The ensuing drive Tampa took the ball from the 20 after a touch back and drove all the way down to Detroit's one yard line. It looked like it was gonna be a 16-14 when Garcia bobbled the snap and Detroit recovered on their own seven yard line. Tampa's defense looked flat and emotionless as Detroit capped off a 93 yard drive with a 32 yard run off a reverse from rookie WR Calvin Johnson. Johnson broke 3 or 4 tackles on the play and Tampa's defense was officially demoralized. Detroit 23, Tampa 7. Tampa would score on their next possession after another nice long drive of 78 yards capped by a 4 yard touchdown reception by Bucs WR Maurice Stovall. Tampa went for a two point conversion and missed. Detroit 23, Tampa 13. Tampa would kick the onside kick, recover, and drive down the field another 29 yards for a field goal. Detroit 23, Tampa 16. Tampa had pulled within a touchdown and would need to recover another onside kick if they were to have a chance. There was a mad dash for the ball and Tampa nearly recovered but no marbles. Detroit ran out the rest of the clock and Tampa was handed their 3rd loss of the season.

It goes to show that in football it's more about each play then the entire collection of plays. Tampa had a number of good drives on which they were able to move the ball and control the clock. If Tampa would have made that game tying field goal in the beginning of the game perhaps it would have gone down different. I felt throughout the game that if Tampa was just able to get a lead, if only a 3 point lead, that they would be able to run out the clock and win the game. They moved the ball too well, and their offense was too sharp to lose the game. Their defense on the other hand didn't play with the same fire that I have seem them play with all year. Barrett Ruud, the NFL leading tackler, only had two tackles. Tarvaris Jackson and Jermaine Phillips didn't seem to be coming up and popping guys like you usually see them do. I have loved to watch Tampa's D play all season, this game I saw nothing special out of them. You gotta expect the defense to turn it up next week as they play host to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who many consider to be among the top five teams in the AFC.

Earnest Graham stepped up his role, he had 10 rushes for 92 yards and 13 receptions for 99 yards. Jeff Garcia at one point completed 18 straight passes, tying the Buccaneer franchise record. Garcia remains one of two starting quarterbacks in the NFL who have not thrown an interception this season. The other is David Garrard who faces off against Indianapolis tonight.

Tampa hosts Jacksonville this weekend in what is sure to be a defensive battle.