Archives for September 14, 2005

‘The Buccaneers defense? Well, they might see Dave Ragone or Mike McMahon. Or Randy Fasani, Mark Redman, Henry Burris, Joey Harrington, Quincy Carter or Cade McNown. Those are some of the rookie, young and/or just inexperienced quarterbacks who have crashed and burned against the Bucs’ ruthless defense in recent years. Losman will be making only his second NFL regular-season start, and his first on the road, when his Buffalo Bills visit the Buccaneers on Sunday.’

‘What about the offensive line for Game Ball?

J.P. Losman: Yes, they deserve much more than a game ball. That was the most protection I’ve ever had in my life and it was an amazing feeling realizing that there wasn’t anybody in my face.’

‘After catching the pass, Bills tackle Jason Peters spiked the ball, which bounced into the second row of the seats. Protas came up with it, then protected it for the rest of the game by placing it into a plastic bag. After the game, Protas approached Losman near the players parking lot, asking for an autograph. Losman signed the ball and returned it to Protas. On the drive home, Protas began to wonder whether Losman might want to have the special ball.’

‘Five Bills to watch…’.

‘For months we’ve been hearing about how the fate of the 2005 Buffalo Bills hinges upon the performance of a second year quarterback with a good arm and a cocky attitude, the legs of a Miami running back, and 11 guys who form one of the best defenses in the league.’

‘Former NFL cornerback Terrell Buckley and Buffalo Bills quarterback Shane Matthews have joined one of the wealthiest counties in the country in a quest to raise money to rebuild Jackson County.’

‘”I think they are the number one defense in football,” said Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden. “LB Takeo Spikes is as good a linebacker that I’ve seen since I’ve been in coaching. He doesn’t hit you, he clobbers you. He’s a great blitzer. Their linebacking corps is extremely quick. Their nose tackle [Sam Adams] is mammoth. He’s a big, physical presence. And Lawyer Milloy and Troy Vincent, two veteran safeties are capable of making some splash plays. This is a very unorthodox scheme and they are blessed with great talent and impact players.”‘

‘A battle of two teams that barely play each other is set for week 2. The Bills and Buccaneers meet for the eighth time in history, all eight have been in Tampa Bay where the two teams last played in 2000.’

‘"The way this past season ended, we felt there was a lot of unfinished business we needed to take care of and it started with this first game," Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes said. "We were very eager to just go out and show everybody that there was not going to be a drop-off and to prove to ourselves that in order to get to where we want to go this is the first step that needed to be taken."’

‘”I’ve got game-used socks, cleats, wrist bands,” he said. “I’ve got practice jerseys. I bet I have every Tops football card they ever made.”‘

Bucs CB Cox Arrested Again (Tampa Tribune)

Fan Pat-Downs At Bucs Games Begin Sunday (Tampa Tribune)

Sacking The Old Theory Of Defense (Tampa Tribune)

Bucs’ Cox charged with DUI (St. Petersburg Times)

Bucs fans, you’ll be searched on Sunday (St. Petersburg Times)

Bucs’ reserve arrested on DUI charge (Orlando Sentinel)

Bucs’ linemen not so bad after all (Bradenton Herald)

Bucs player arrested on DUI charge (AP)

Young blood injects new life in Bucs’ offense (The Sports Network)

Horsepower (Buccaneers.com)

‘Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10am. Call the Saints box office at (210) 208-9520 or Ticket Master AT 800-877-0898. You can also purchase tickets online at NewOrleansSaints.com or TicketMaster.com. Ticket will also be available at the Alamodome Box Office. Single game tickets range in cost from $30 to $125, while you can buy a three game pack for $75- $360. Beware of brokers who are who already offering these same tickets for $95 to $500. The Saints play three games at the Alamodome, starting with the Buffalo Bills on October 2, the Atlanta Falcons on October 16 and the Detroit Lions on December 24.’