St_Pete_Bill's Blog

I was shocked to hear about Chris Simms being taken to the hospital tonight after the game. I would like Chris Simms and family to know that you are in my family's thoughts and prayers. It is my prayer that you make a full recovery and resume your playing career. I have heard the estimates of 2-3 months of recovery.

Everyone on here knows I am a big fan of Gradkowski however I would NEVER wish that anyone who is playing the game be hurt. This is after all JUST A GAME and not nearly as important as someones health and life.

Please join me in praying for Chris and his family as they go through this.

Well here I sit as a dejected Buccaneers fan at 0-3. The offense...thanks mainly to the defense getting turnovers...finally showed some spark. Yet in the fourth quarter at the 11 yard line of the Panthers Coach Gruden goes conservative!!! A RUN UP THE MIDDLE ON 3rd and 9?????? Yes, a field goal was preserved but only put the team up by one. Had the touchdown been scored Tampa would be up by FIVE...big difference.

It's also a big difference to be 1-2 compared to 0-3 with TWO division losses. WHY go conservative inside the red zone? I believe this loss is ALL ON COACH GRUDEN.

Now is the time to put your hand in the air and wave goodbye to the playoffs, division title and a Super Bowl!!! The GREAT news is I hear it will be a good draft this year. Oh yea...and Gradkowski looked pretty good going 1 for 1 in the passing department.

OK..After the first week I was frustrated. Now after the second week I have seen enough. Stats....2 games...SIX INTERCEPTIONS..NO TOUCHDOWNS!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!! I mean with putting Gradkowski into the game what do we have to lose? A game? Well we have already lost two. A season? Well is Simms is the starter than that is gone as well!!!!

Simms had protection today and still missed WIDE OPEN recievers. Plus he didn't get the memo as to what color jersey Tampa Bay was wearing...for the record Chris...IT IS NOT BLACK!!!!!!

With Carolina coming to town next week they are licking their chops and can't wait to play against Simms. I think we should make them wait and start Gradkowski. Two NFL games and NO TOUCHDOWNS is NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!!!!

I know that the most popular QB in most towns is the backup QB. However if Simms has another dismal performance what should be done? I mean, Simms is a new starter himself and for heavens sake Gradkowski could do as "good" as Simms did on Sunday. I think Gradkowski is more mobile and can take a hit alot better than Simms.

Hey, the Steelers started a rookie QB a few years ago in Big Ben and look how far he took them. I know there is still alot of football to left to play but if the offensive line is that bad wouldn't a more mobile QB be the answer? The schedule is brutal no doubt and it will only get more difficult as the year progresses. If yesterday is any indication though this offense that was ....well, offensive to watch has a LONG way to go and a short time to get there.

Let me pose this scenerio...if this team is 0-2 or 0-3 would putting Gradkowski in at that point make sense? What about 0-4? I know this...if Simms continues to play this way it will be his last season in Tampa Bay and Gradkowski will be the new starter. It is already obvious how much Gruden likes this guy so I think its only a matter of time before number 7 is the starter.

Well what a humiliating season and home opener that was. The one glaring question I have though is WHERE WAS CADILLAC??? I understand the Bucs got behind early but even at 7-0 and then 14-0 they didn't even attempt to use Cadillac. It's no wonder that the Ravens defense just teed off on Simms. Simms was awful yes but so was the offensive line and the play calling. Did Cadillac even get 10 carries? What a wasted game, especially as Atlanta pounded Carolina. At this rate it will be a LONG season....especially since Gruden has decided to keep the Cadillac in the garage.

Memo to Coach Gruden...the preseason is over and if the offense continues to play like that the season might soon be over too!!!!!!

Well we now know who the candidates are that will be running to be the next Governor Charlie Crist or Jim Davis. I was thinking about something after the election this past Tuesday. Crist took the stage and welcomed Gallagher's supporters to his camp and said nice things about Gallagher as well. It was typical republican fashion that we are now all on the same page again since the primary is over. So here is the question I pose.

What about a Crist/Gallagher team? Crist the Governor and Gallagher the Lt. Governor? Both are well liked and have positive things to say about each other too. Both even have great ideas and principles.

After hearing Jim Davis slam Rod Smith even after he knew he had won I would never ask this question of them. However both Republican candidates seem to fairly like each other and Crist knows Gallagher will support him in November. The same cannot be said for Davis and Smith.

As for the Katherine Harris and Bill Nelson race it will be interesting to watch for sure. I know what the polls say but it seems you can't count Harris out. I for one did not vote for her opting for Will McBride instead. However since she is the Republican candidate she will have my support come November.

What do you think? Would a Crist/Gallagher team work? Why or why not? I'd love to hear your opinions.

As a fan of the USF Bulls as well as the Buccaneers I was sad to read in todays sports section that Andre Hall had been released by the Bucs. He was the best running back in Bulls history and is sure to make an NFL rooster somewhere. It may actually be a favor though to Andre since most teams have not started training camp yet it will give him a chance to catch on somewhere else. Whatever the case it will be fun to keep an eye on him wherever he lands.

I understand the NFL is a business and the Buccaneer rooster is loaded with running backs and recievers so tough choices had to be made and tougher choices are still coming. It is just ashame to see such a quality person such as Andre Hall have to go. He is a good community guy that contributes to our community and will cotribute to whatever community he plays for. Best of luck to you Andre and it will be fun watching you play no matter what uniform you are wearing.

In the meantime the Buccaneers NEED to get a new deal done with Rhonde Barber before we lose a great community guy like him. Not only a great guy but a pro bowl player who this team needs! Don't wait until its too late. I would hate to see him become a free agent and play somewhere else. (i.e. John Lynch)

However it is exciting that training camp is about to open. It seems like it has been so long. Heres to a great season ahead of us Bucs fans!!!!

On Saturday July 29th from 11AM to 3PM the Festival of Hope will be held at Childs Park (13th Ave S and 43rd St S.) This will be a fun time for the community as a community BBQ will be held, FREE haircuts for kids will be given, games and prizes, a "Rock the Rim" 3 on 3 basketball tournament plus just in time for back to school there will be FREE BACKPACK GIVEAWAYS while the supply lasts.

There will also be music and John Fleming, the "Hope Dealer" will be addressing everyone. He was born in the Chicago ghetto and came out of drugs and violence to become a self made millionare. He will be there to tell his story and message of hope.

This is being put on by NEW DESTINY CHURCH in St. Petersburg, and a representative from the mayors office, the health department and the police department will be there as well. For more information please go to Newdestinychurch.org or call 727-576-7374