Another week, another Bucs win over a lifeless opponent at Raymond James Stadium. Just like the Saints, the Rams came to town and remained winless, bowing for a 24-3 pasting at the hands of the surprising Bucs.

So the question becomes: are the Bucs simply catching teams at the right time, or are they really on the way to contending for the playoffs again? The answer should become clearer over the next two weeks, with trips to Carolina and Tony Dungy’s Super Bowl champs in Indianapolis.

But what do you think at this point?

I think the Bucs have been much better on both sides of the ball the past 2 weeks.
I would say there is hope

The Buc’s are dominating the past 2 weeks. I would put some of it on the heat on the field. Our D is looking nasty. If they keep it up were a lock for the playoff’s. Looking like a good turn around from last year. Go Bucs.

If the Saints win tonight and the Rams next week, will the Bucs be acknowledged as a good team? My answer is whether these teams are good or not, we didn’t BARELY beat them, we dominated. And we didn’t get shut down on offense and our defense held it down, or the defense gave it up and the offense carried them, we dominated on BOTH SIDES of the ball. Thorough arse whoopings! If we go to Carolina and win we are in sole possesion of first place in the division-this game could be a defining moment for this season. We need to get our front four on the D Line to start applying more pressure, because if we can get to Peyton Manning, we’ve got a legitimate shot at winning that one too. Laugh at me now, I predicted a win over the Saints and Rams too.  Everyone (not everyone per se) predicted 0-3.

I think the fact you term is as the “surprising Bucs” shows you haven’t been paying much attention.

It’s still surprising to commentators around the league and some fans because it makes good fodder for conversation, and the fact that the Bucs entered the season coming off a 4-12 record. What’s not surprising is Garcia’s play, the defense (who simply had a rough year), Michael Clayton dropping balls, and Barrett Ruud’s domination. I knew he would flourish once given the chance to start. I said early in the preseason(look it up) that we had the ability to control our destiny through our division. Now is the test with Carolina coming up. But we took one game from the Saints (who i said we’d sweep) Carolina is weak, Atlanta is EXTREMELY weak and a loss there WOULD be surprising. Right now we look like a 12-4 team. The Colts game will be a better indication of where we are at. I’ve been optimistic the whole time, the wins simply allow me to continue being vocal about it.

I’m sure it’s surprising to all the folks who don’t pay any attention.  re: commentators around the league.

I’ll give ya surprised if they can beat the Colts.  While I like the DBs I just don’t see where the bucs will get any pressure on Manning.  Hopefully Monte has even more tricks up his sleeve.

People want to believe last year was the norm and the year before was the aberration.  Thing is starting a 6th round rookie pick at QB is the aberration.  While BK being injured is seemingly becoming the norm the D falling off big time when he goes down and playing lights out when he’s on isn’t an aberration.

In anycase no one that lives in Tampa and is a football fan should be that surprised. 

I have three lil surprises and two are negative.  #4 pick overall not really showing up yet might be a bit of a surprise unless you noticed that he got lots of reps with the second and even third team in the preseason and didn’t absolutely dominate. The D holding up with BK injured or if you want to look at it as Buchannon filling in so well is a bit of a positive surprise.  Finally, Davin not playing as well as one might expect.

Can’t figure out why folks doubted Ruud.  He’s never looked anything but good to me and he’s had a nice apprenticeship. Throw in June at LB as well and hey we got a starter from last year just trying to get some playing time.

Bottom line, people should have been very hopeful coming into this season.

Davin Joseph has been a force. He and Trueblood anchor that right side of the line and they’ve done a tremendous job opening holes. 75% of our runs have come from behind them and our running game has produced 100-120 yards a game this year. I like the idea of rotating Caddy and Pittman and then throwing in some Earnest Graham. If we can bring Darby along we might benefit from a full house formation with teams not knowing WHO’s gonna get the ball. Don’t knock Davin, he’s money in the bank. Barrett is destined to be the cornerstone of this franchise and how bout Jermaine “Flip” Phillips. He has stepped up mightily! Coming out of Carolina 3-1 with sole possesion of first place will work wonders for our confidence, momentum and bringing some attention to a Buc’s team with (as gruden put it) high expectations.

Tru has been incredible. Davin, not so much. 

About running it to the right, you mean last game ‘cause in the first two they almost never went right. That first home game was 30 some odd rushes and about two went right.  A third was going to go right but the whole was too big so cathy cut it back into traffic so he wouldnt’ have to run too far.

Vs the Rams a lot more went right and BAM 180 so odd yards.  And that with Sears usually being too slow to get out there and lead. 

We’ll keep watching.  You tivo games? 

Phillips is playing like I thought he would when I didn’t question letting lynch go.  Maybe something finally clicked. He’s always had physical skills but he took some really bad angles and made some really poor reads for a lot of games.  Should we give Tannard more credit?  I’m hoping it’s just things coming together for Phillips.

3-1, 2-0 in the div would be a great first quarter.

I really think that a good coach is a great thing! I look at Phillips improved play as a testimony to the good coaching of Raheem Morris. Coach Morris is a believer in accountability and I can see a strong understanding of our schemes. Something we have been missing since Tomlin and Morris left. I really think our defensive coaching staff has improved greatly over last years staff. Boy am I glad!!!

We still need to fire Bill Muir.

What I find surprising is the lack of credit some sports writers still have.  I particulary like reading the “gurus” of football at Sports Illustrated, Dr. Z and Peter King.  At least Don Banks, who used to write for the Tampa Tribune, is balanced about the Bucs.  This year has been particlarly interesting.  Dr. Z has been reasonable, starting with low expectations (ranking them 29th), then raising them two straight weeks up to number 10.  He thinks there is something behind the resurgence.  Then you have Peter King who lives near me in NJ.  He just dislikes Tampa.  He picked Seattle, then New Orleans, and finally the Rams in a blowout over Tampa.  He also thinks the Colts will kill them.  I cannot wait to see his pick with Carolina.  Probably another blowout.  For some reason he felt forced to rank them after the blowout of the Rams, I think 15th behind 1-2 San Diego.  San Diego probably has more talent, but Norv Turner nullifies that advantage - they will have a horrible year since that is one team that is really messed up - who fires a coach that goes 14-2?  San Diego!

In any case, if the Bucs beat Carolina and then challenge the Colts (I don’t say win, but as long as they stay close) they will be finally respected and recoginzed this year.  A blowout by the Colts and all fans will hear (and it will probably be true) is that the Bucs are much better than last year, but are still pretty far from the Super Bowl.

Yeah I dont’ get the Muir thing.

Peter King is a joke. I really don’t pay any attention to the experts but Kings comments were posted on a message board so I read them… sad really. Dude just can’t let go. I don’t know here his hate comes from, or is it just easy to pick on the bucs ‘cause they have a relatively small fan base.

If they can win this weekend expecations will go way up among the masses.

Also note ex-buc Ian whatever that’s on with Ron in the morning still pretty much just says they stink out loud.

Ehhh… It’s all about entertainment not about being correct.