Well, talk about a game of two halves!

First half… well this was just awful. All the same issues cropping up again and again: 4th down calls, Jason Campbell throwing interceptions twice whislt trying to get the ball to Kelly (one bad throw, one bad decision into double coverage), Campbell fumbling to allow the Bucs to score their first 1st quarter points of the season, Clinton Portis getting stuffed at the line, Ladell Betts getting stuffed behind it, penalties on Casey Rabach… it goes on and on.

We go into the break with only 99 yards of offense, and without putting up any points. I’m becoming more and more convinced that it’s a ploy to get Punter Smith to the Pro Bowl. And we can’t even do that properly as he was unable to punt after suffering an groin injury early on.

To give some credit to the team though, the defense was doing a pretty good job. Across the day they only gave up 2 3rd down attempts and generally were looking good in coverage and getting pressure on Josh Johnson. Carlos Rogers had a great play on Michael Clayton that led to a sequence that involved a penalty for delay of game, an incomplete pass, then a FG attempt that faded to hit the upright and bounce out.

Yeah, you look great. Like you don't know that.

Yeah, you look great. Like you don't know that.


Also on the brightside… the Cheerleaders were looking great with their pink poms. In fact, I was a big fan of the pink across all the team at the weekend. Of other non-football related distractions, how over the top was Laura Okmin’s eyeshadow? Seriously, she needs to cut back.

Second Half

The second half and things were much improved offensively. It started with a solid interception from DeAngelo Hall on the Bucs first drive and we didn’t really look back. The play calling was improved and Jason Campbell made some good decisions and some good really throws (which is infuriating! At least if he was consistently rubbish we could move on).

Chris Cooley showed us all how great he is, Portis kept hammering at the Bucs defensive line and got some good yardarge in the end, every inch of them hard-earned. Randel El had no catches, and Santana Moss only had two but one of those was for a 59 yard TD which had great movement from Moss and great awareness and a super throw from Campbell.

It wasn’t all good though, and Campbell forced another throw into double coverage and was duly picked off for the third time of the day and Suisham missed an PAT when Ronde Barber came storming on off the edge.

So my three favourite moments from this match:

  • Chris Cooley. Not a single moment, but he was awesome. From his pink accessories to his TD, to his movement and awareness on a 4th down play that got him nicely into space to receive a pass. A great game from one of my favourite players.
  • Clinton Portis. He’s always been a fighter who gains the hard yards, but he seemed really into this game. After every hard hit and pile that came at the end of a 2-3 yard run he was hopping up and wanting the ball again. Good to see.
  • The Defense. Solid play from them across the board. Reed Doughty, Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall stood out for me this week.

    • So we travel to Carolina next week. The Panthers are 0-3 coming off their bye-week and will be a tough game. But if we play like the 2nd half ‘Skins and not the 1st half variety, we should give them a game.

    “Father and Son” Image Credit: Nois29 @ Flickr
    (This picture is from the Rams’ game two weeks ago, but I think it’s awesome. See the full size image here)