The list continues to grow for Buccaneers players in the rehab center. Jon Gruden came out and talked about it today. They now have at least 10 players I could count on the weekly injury list..
- Michael Clayton
- Brian Griese
- Jeff Garcia
- Jovan Haye
- Chris Hovan
- Greg White (oops, I mean Stylez G. White)
- Sean Mahan
- Jeremy Zuttah
- Joey Galloway (not officially listed but Gruden says he’s injured).
Then we have the injured reserve guys…
- Earnest Graham
- Torrie Cox
- Byron Storer
- Cortez Hankton
- Maurice Stovall
- Geno Hayes
- Jermaine Phillips (assumed)
Not sure if I missed anyone, but that is a lot of injuries. Here’s why we shouldn’t feel bad for the Bucs though. They have built themselves to be deep, not star heavy. That’s a great way to build to try to remain competitive when injuries pile up (sound familiar) but doesn’t lend to having a dominant team. That’s why, when healthy this team doesn’t light up the scoreboard or rout too many teams, but that’s also why we’re in a position to make the playoffs with so many injuries. It’s tough to deal with and handle. I want a deep team, but I long for some hardcore play makers on the offensive side. I like being able to compete throughout the season, but I would desperately love to see this team have some play makers. I realize that we all can’t be the New England Patriots, who seem to be able to plug guys in and cruise right along without skipping a beat (even Matt Cassel threw four TD’s yesterday). Say what you want about those guys but Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli do it better than anyone, cheating or not. I have come to the realization that we will never develop a QB under Gruden, we will always have the revolving door of “veteran” QB’s, but why can’t these guys stumble into a great player on the offensive side of the ball? Maybe Clifton Smith is it, but we’ll never know. I’m still excited about the Bucs maybe making the playoffs, but I will be disappointed with a one and done performance, won’t you?
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