This professional football season has been wrought with surprises, tragedies, and scandals. The Patriots appear to be on their way to a perfect season, ending the long-reign of the 1974 Miami Dolphins, while the Dolphins struggle to put together just one win. Steve Smith has faded into a mediocre player without a quarterback to deliver him the ball. The Falcons look about as good as everyone thought they would without Michael Vick, and the death of Sean Taylor, former UM all-star, marks the fourth death of an NFL player this year alone, all under the age of 24. Despite all these developments, the NFL is reaching an unprecedented level of success. With the myriad of off-field issues and high profile players/teams holding the spotlight, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quietly climbed atop the NFC South. With five games remaining in the regular season and no opponents with a winning record, the Bucs seemed poised to claim their third divisional title in the past six years.
In the NFL, success is often determined by which teams can overcome injuries during the season. No coach plans for injuries, but there are steps that can be taken to protect a team from the downward spiral that can begin with a star player suffering a season ending injury. The Buccaneers have sustained their fair share of injuries, beginning with the loss of Cadillac Williams. Currently on the injured list for the Buccaneers are starting QB Jeff Garcia, starting RB Carnell Williams, back-up RB Michael Pittman, starting WR Michael Clayton, and a couple starting offensive linemen. Despite this myriad of injuries, the Buccaneers have continued to produce on offense, a feat the squad could not accomplish even with healthy players in years past. Tampa's offensive rank of 19 is still middle of the pack production, but efficiency has been the focus of this squad, and it has continued to pay dividends throughout the season.
After losing premier back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and back-up RB Michael Pittman to injury in Game 2 of the season, the Buccaneers appeared to be in danger of another year of offensive struggle. But an improved offensive line has stepped up to the challenge and converted a first time starter into a 100 yard rusher. In fact, Earnest Graham is the third separate running back that has eclipsed the 100 yard mark this season for the Bucs. Despite injuries to the offensive line, the unit has continued to open lanes regardless of who is running behind them.
All the talk regarding the NFC is about the Cowboys and Packers, rightfully so, because they have the best records and the best teams. But when the playoffs finally come, records are thrown out the window, and any team can win on any given Sunday. The old adage claims that defense wins championships. If this is true, the Bucs may just find themselves in the same position as in 2003 when they claimed the franchises first title. At least this time around, they'll have a legitimate offense to go with their famously stingy D.
