Super Bucs

By: Patryk Fournier

First thing I have to say is: Yeahhhhh!!!!! Although my prediction wasn't quite on I did manage to hit on some of my forecasts, namely Alstott rushing in the 1st TD of the game, Gramatica hitting on two field goals, Brooks returning an interception for a score and of course Tampa winning the game. Rather than give you a play-by-play report of the game I will focus my attention towards some of the more interesting and lighter moments as I saw them.

I didn't see much of the pre-game festivities because frankly I was sick of all the hype, projections and analysis. I, like most of the players, excluding Barrett Robbins, was ready for the game to begin. I did manage to see the pre-game feature they had on Raiders LB Bill Romanowski. This dude is simply insane. Not only is he one of the most hated players in the league, just ask J.J Stokes after he gets a chance to wipe the spit away, but he's also a strange man. ABC brought their cameras to Romo's house to show his family and fitness fetish. Romo said he takes over a 100 (100!!!) supplements a day, which he keeps in an oversized tackle box and he also has his kids hooked on the supplements. He gave his 8yr old son his very own 'roid tackle box at the age of 4. Clearly someone needs to check on the wellness of these children.

ABC had a special feature for the game as both John Lynch from the Bucs and Jerry Rice from the Raiders agreed to be "mic'd up" for the game. I guess choosing Sapp from the Bucs would have caused too many headaches for the editing staff at ABC. The most interesting thing said as a result of Lynch being mic'd up was the fact that the Tampa D rehearsed every single play in practice that the Raiders threw at them in the game. Now I wonder where would the Bucs D get such insight into how the Raiders offense would work, hmm I wonder? Absolutely nothing memorable came from Jerry Rice's mic'd up session simply because he ripped off the mic at halftime. He should have given his mic to Gannon instead. That would have been priceless. Speaking of Rice, did anyone notice that he was wearing pantyhose on his head, midnight black as Lisa my football companion so pleasantly pointed out? Why does his hairline start at the crown of his head? When watching the game I question calls made by the ref's, the play calling of the coaches and the overall performance of the players. Apparently Lisa and other women have different questions running through their mind during the game.

Why does there need to be so many people at the coin toss? Is this really necessary? I mean it's a coin flip. It's not like everyone has some important insight to add. You call heads or tails and choose whether to kick or receive. Five people don't need to make this decision.

I love the fact that ABC covered the Super Bowl this year because I love the player introduction feature they have for all the offensive and defensive players. The players each say their name and the university or college they attended but like school picture day some players are going to take liberties and have fun with it. Bucs DE Simeon Rice listed his school as "The School of Hard Knocks", Raiders CB Charles Woodson as many know graduated from Michigan instead decided to tell the world his school was Fremont Ross - Little John's and finally Raiders RB Charlie Garner announced that he attended "the University of Untouchables". Apparently Garner majored in racketeering and listed his favourite professor as Frankie Numbers.

The half time show boldly displayed the differences between the Grey Cup and the Super Bowl. Shania Twain performed at both events but that's where the parallel ends. Simply put, the NFL has better production value, more hype and more entertainment. The Super Bowl is the greatest spectacle in sports and it makes the Grey Cup look like a high school game.

How much do you think Rich Gannon wants to take a mulligan on that game? 5 INT's, 5 sacks and a whole nation of fans wondering how he won the NFL MVP award during the regular season. Fact is the Raiders never faced a defense like the Buccaneers all year and they looked like they underestimated the talent and speed of the Bucs squad. I was intrigued how the Raiders offense would match up with the Bucs defensive cover schemes but relying on one dimension of your offense makes you prone to mistakes. If the Raiders had been willing to give Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatley a chance to run the ball, the Bucs D would have been faced with more of a challenge. Another interesting note is that Tim Brown caught only one pass for 9 yards and that came two minutes into the 1st quarter. Shouldn't a 1000 catch and Hall of Fame bound receiver be a bigger part of your game plan?

How early did the Bucs break out the Super Bowl caps? I could have sworn I saw Warren Sapp sporting one shortly after halftime. Speaking of Sapp he delivered one of the best post-game quotes that captures the domination of the defense. "Once we dig that hole, we drag you in and then pour dirt on you".

With a defensive cast that includes Lynch, Brooks, Sapp, Rice, Barber, Kelly and Quarles who would have thought that Dwight Smith and Dexter Jackson were going to be the stars of the Super Bowl? Apparently Penn & Teller knew. They also knew the final score and the Super Bowl MVP. Was there anything more pointless than this magic segment from Times Square? What's wrong ABC, David Blaine wasn't available?

Do you think Steelers safety Lee Flowers caught the game? He was the one who publicly called the Bucs "paper champions". Well Lee, it looks like the only thing paper about them is the fact that their championship win is on the cover of every national paper this morning.

Where was this version of Michael Pittman earlier in the year? This was not the same Pittman who proved to be a big fantasy football disappointment for my team and this was not the same player that had Bucs fans booing him all year long. Pittman sparkplugged the offense in the first half and his cemented his way into Bucs fans hearts, well at least until next season starts. I was also extremely happy for Mike Alstott. He had a great performance which included a TD run, some great lead blocks including the one that sprung Pittman for 32 yards and some timely receptions including a key third down conversion. I can wear my Alstott jersey proudly today.

Anyone notice that Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer can easily be confused with an Amish guy named Jebediah? I mean if you had that kind of cash wouldn't someone around you suggest a change in look or appearance, at the very least suggest growing some hair on your upper lip?

I can't imagine how I would have been able to write this commentary or update my site if the Buccaneers had lost. That's the one draw back of openly showing your support for a team - if they lose everyone is all over you. The biggest benefit of course is the ability to gloat, celebrate and say, "told you so" to all those naysayers.

As for me I plan to get a Sports Illustrated subscription in order to get my free Super Bowl collectors issue and fleece, pick up as much Super Bowl swag in the next few weeks, cash in my winning Proline ticket and finally, think of something to add to my "To Do" list now that I have accomplished everything in a very short period of time.

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