Even the longest streaks of futility eventually come to an end. I refer not to the Dolphins beating Baltimore to end their winless season, but rather an NFL drought that lasted over thirty years.
This Sunday, when Michael Spurlock returned an Atlanta Falcon kick all the way to pay dirt, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ceremoniously put an end to their ineffective kick-off return streak.
Never before in franchise history had a Buccaneer player returned a kick-off for a touchdown. The stretch lasted 512 games and over 1800 attempts. 141 opposing players had run back kicks against the Bucs in the same time frame. It hung over the franchise like a dirty secret. Local radio broadcasters would announce it prior to every kickoff, almost laughingly assuming it could never happened. They can now remove that spiel from their radio format. Spurlock will go down in the local history books, as should his special teams coaches, who if you look carefully, were sprinting along the sidelines ecstatically at nearly the same pace.
Every single fan among the 65,000+ at Raymond James (including myself) knew it was about to happen when Spurlock broke an early tackle mid-field, then found a hole along the right sideline. The return was nearly as exciting as, and set the precedent for, the Buccaneer’s third division title under head coach John Gruden.
So sleep easy tonight, Cubs fans, for all bad things must come to an end.
Saw it live on the tube... Looked like Raymond James came unglued! Nice win for the Bucs albeit against the hapless (and coachless) Falcons. Next week the Bucs travel to San Francisco for a game at Monster Park. Here's hoping they show well on the road!
I'm more interested in are things ok with you. Last post I see was Nov 14th. Thats way to long from the Rev from Gatorville. Here's hoping everything is a okay.
Marty, still having a tough time with things. I have my good days and bad. But now starting to try to use writing as a release. Thanks for your thoughts, man.
Welcome back Rev. That atmosphere must have been CRAZY. You could sense it just watching on television, what a moment to actually be present for it.
I fear my Wolverines are up against it playing the Gators. Maybe Rodriguez quickly implements the spread offense and the first team to 50 wins, it will be interesting either way.
My bad, Lloyd is coaching it. Maybe RR gives him a few pointers on how to DEFEND the spread instead of run it. Or maybe Lloyd tells him to buzz off until after the bowl game.
Rev' Rhythm
What is it with Fla teams and futility ? Now does that mean we'll have to wait at least thirty years before we see the Rays win a divisional crown much less a pennant or World Series ?
I hope you're still keepin' up that fitness regimen ?
Lay off the smokes and the booze and have plenty of sex instead. Like milk it does the body good !
Rev.,welcome back man. Sorry that the Bucs took the division from my hot and cold Saints but it was good to see that run back finaly happen. Still can't figure out though how befor the season some said Gruden may be on the hot seat. Anyways like I said great to have you back looking forward to reading some great post by you.
P.S. who do you like in the BCS champ. game?
There's talks of a new baseball stadium in St Pete, but the only thing that can help the Rays is moving them out of the American League East. There's no way they will EVER be able to compete with the likes of both the Yanks and Sox.
Right on. It was one of the few times that Tressel was or will ever be out-coached. Its a Buckeye thing. Rich-Rod will give Tress a run for his $$. Better than Carr anyway.
Sorry to hear that things have been less than peachy of late. You should cheer yourself up by heading over to New Orleans in a few weeks and have a few cocktails with the Nice_Man. Mrs. Nice will be attending as well, but she is game for just about anything...easy mister.
It was great to see TB get the return #### off their back. Mr. Graham hooked me up fantasy wise, but my Buckeye bretheren, Mr. Galloway, put up a stinker. Knocked me pout of the playoffs.
Reverend Rhythm
Man it's good that you're back and to know that you're as good as ever. I've a couple of post that hopefully you'll have time to read ?
Things have been somewhat slow and obviously you can see that there have been some extreme difficulties that they've been having within the forum.
Be that as it may they're supposedly working their way around it or through it as the case may be. As and when you're come on over and view some of the latest acerbic chimes I've put up. As usual the sultry pics are there.
Chimin' out.
I'm very sorry to hear that things have been less than sunny for you in sunny Florida, but just know that this blogging friend cares and will be thinking about you.
On a positive note...Favre is like the energizer bunny and we're post season bound with a first week bye!
Reverend Rhythm
I welcome you back with open arms. I especially value you critiquing the pics of the ladies I post up within my pieces. And above all the honest opinions you give concerning not only the pieces but the women also.
It came as no surprise to me that there weren't any Bucs on the NFC Pro Bowl team.
But then again it's not always judged on merit with regard to a player's season. It's become merely about favoritism and not much else.
Reverend Rhythm
As and when you're ready just take your time and to get back into the swing of things.
See my latest on the furore surrounding FSU and the neverending Bowden saga. All The Ignorance In The World Won't Save You Bobby !
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
