Something interesting

[Marra]

I was looking over the schedule of Tampa Bay... See if you notice something.

Sep. 8 New Orleans Loss 26-20 (OT)
Sep. 15 @Baltimore Win 25-0
Sep. 23 St. Louis Win 26-14
Sep. 29 @Cincinnati Win 35-7
Oct. 6 @Atlanta Win 20-6
Oct. 13 Cleveland Win 17-3
Oct. 20 @Philadelphia Loss 20-10
Oct. 27 @Carolina Win 12-9
Nov. 3 Minnesota Win 38-24
BYE WEEK
Nov. 17 Carolina Win 23-10
Nov. 24 Green Bay Win 21-7
Dec. 1 @New Orleans Loss 23-20
Dec. 8 Atlanta Win 34-10
Dec. 15 @Detroit Win 23-20
Dec. 23 Pittsburgh Loss 17-7
Dec. 29 @Chicago Win 15-0


I dont see many good running backs on this schedule, do you? I see Deuce McCallister and Duce Staley.
Marshall Faulk got hurt in their game 5 carries into it.
Corey Dillon-When he is playing for Cincy w/Gus Furotte, it doesn't matter how good he is.
William Green- was no where as good Oct 13th as he was towards the end of the season.
Lamar Smith?
Ahman Green when he was far less than 100%
Warrick Dunn
James Stewart
Leon Johnson

The point is, other than last week, Deuce McCallister and Duce Staley put up 69 points in 3 games. Michael Bennett showed flashes of being just like the Deuce's, and Minnesota put up 24.

Tampa's defense is very good. However, if you consider last week to be the exception to the rule, quick, fast running backs that catch the ball out of the backfield give the Bucs trouble. Charlie Garner fits the bill perfectly. Plus, I don't think they have faced a balanced attack like the Raiders. Not even close.

Not to mention the D-line of the Raiders is the kind that could give the Bucs big trouble as well, with Adams and the very much improved Rod Coleman. The only weakness that I see on the Raiders defensively is Tory James and Charles Woodson. I think they can be a big liability to the deep ball, but unfortunately for the Bucs, they don't really have the personnel to exploit that. Too much experience and balance for the Raiders in this one.

Raiders -3.5

 

[THE KOD]

Nice call Marra. Me thinks you are on to something.


:spotting: :Yep: :spotting:


Scott King of Dogs

 

[TheShrimp]

Jamal Lewis had 1327 this year on 308 carries.

Kevan Barlow and Garrison Hearst are pretty good backs.

Duce Staley. Deuce Mcal (twice).

Not too many teams play good backs week in and week out -- there aren't enough to go around.

You wanna sniff out a mismatch? Have a look at TB's passing attack vs. raiders pass defense.

 

[Killian]

You don't have to go back very far to find that, this Raider defensive secondary made a red hot NY Jet passing attack look pathetic...........Am I wrong here? Am I missing something?

Keep on underestimating this Raider defense.......We like it.

 

[TheShrimp]

Who's "WE"? Are you on the team?

OAK this season gave up 214 passing yards per game compared 160 for TB. Rushing : 95.1 to 94.6. That's through 18 games. I don't care what they did to a first year starter playing in his first road post season game facing a team coming off a bye.

OAK overall gave up 310 total yards per game. There's not much room for underestimating.

 

[Marra]

Shrimp-Jamal Lewis, Kevin Barlow and Garrison Hearst aren't the backs I am talking about. They are punishing running backs. They don't give you that pass catching option like McCallister, Staley, and Bennett do. Coinsidentaly (sp), in those games where the running backs are double threats, those are the games that Tampa Bay gave up those 20 point games. I think Charlie Garner is going to have a big day catching the ball, not running it.

Also, let's face it. The AFC is the stronger conference this year. I dont think anyone can argue with that.

 

[Unicorn]

The other thing I see from you listing TB schedule is a lot of unders. Throw in a miracle under in the SF game, and an over on a Defensive touchdown against Philly, TB seems to always hover around the under. I haven't seen too many thoughts on the total. At first I though it looked a little low considering how much Oakland throws, and how much TB has been throwing. However, just by looking at TB results make me realize it's probably a little high. We'll see...:shrug: