Monday, 29 December 2008

It's all gone horribly wrong

How the Bucs wish they could have a December do-over. Four straight losses culminating in Sunday's 31-24 defeat to Oakland Raiders has seen their season disappear in smoke. And a sickening injury to returning receiver 'Caddy' Williams did nothing to lift the mood.
''There's disbelief. There's shock. There's emotions, I'm sure, that I can't really describe,'' said the veteran running back Warrick Dunn of the biggest collapse in franchise history. ''To be 9-3, and you lose four in a row when all you have to do is win one and you're in, it's tough to swallow. The guys in this locker room have prepared hard, played hard. Things haven't gone our way.''
Tampa Bay (9-7) was tied for first place in the NFC South heading into December but was outscored 62-19 in the fourth quarter and overtime of losses to Carolina, Atlanta, San Diego and Oakland down the stretch. If there is one area that coach Jon Gruden might want to concentrate on now, it's there for all to see.
''It's very disappointing. ... I'm sick for our players, and our fans, more than anything,'' Gruden said.
The Bucs gave up 564 yards rushing and allowed Carolina, Atlanta and San Diego to convert 21 of 37 third downs the previous three weeks. Oakland finished with 192 yards rushing and converted 6 of 13 third downs.
Quarterback Jeff Garcia threw for 257 yards, including a 58-yarder to Michael Clayton for a third-quarter touchdown that erased Oakland's 14-7 half-time lead. Williams finished with a season-best 78 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Williams sustained a severe injury to his left knee after being tackled along the sideline by CB Chris Johnson at the end of a 28-yard run, and immediately grabbed his knee. Gruden said it was "serious" but did not get specific. But his team-mates indicated Williams tore his patella tendon, the same he tore in his right knee against Carolina last season.

Still, it could be worse (just). We could be Lions fans...

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