The Rivalry: The Story of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs the New England Patriots

September 9 2001


Gene Deckerhoff was up in the press box getting ready for the kick off. “Hibert and the Cowboys are ready to kick off and start the 2001 Season of football. The dangerous Rodgers is back to receive this kick off. And there is the kick by Hibert and we are off for this season of football. Rodgers is back pedaling and takes the ball at the three. He is to the five, the ten, he strong arms a Cowboy at the 12, to the 15, finally dragged down at the 18 by to Cowboy defenders.”


“Now the Buccaneers offensive comes on to the field. The offensive is being led by the rookie from Purdue, Drew Brees. Brees starting today marks the fifth different starting quarterback by the Buccaneers in the past three seasons. But they had brought in newly retired Troy Aikman to help coach the young Brees.” Indeed the quarterback problem in Tampa Bay had been the topic of any sports writers since Brees was named the started after the third pre-season game a few weeks ago.


Currently on the Bucs depth charge it was Brees at the top with Rattey as the back up and Leaf as the third stringer. Leaf was more a project for the Bucs as they wanted to see if they could save him from himself and saw a lot of promise if they could. For the price they got Leaf for they really didn’t take much of a cap hit so they took the chance. But it was clear from the start he was the third stringer with the question of if Brees or Rattey would be the starter coming into training camp. They were both given equal time with the first string offensive since then and Brees and Rattey both started a game in the pre-season. Then Brees was given the nod in the third pre-season game and he just proved he was better than Rattey and was named as the started. However for a team that had been to the NFC Championship the past two years, there was the question if it was wise to name a rookie as the opening day starter. Then again it was rookie quarterbacks who had started both NFC Championship games for Tampa.


“Brees is in the power I formation with Crumpler and Moore in as tight ends, Driver as the sole wide out, and Alstott and Tomlinson in the backfield. The ball is snapped and Brees hands it off to Tomlinson. He got day light he is to the 25, the 30, before he brought down by Woodson at the 31. He almost had Woodson beat and if he had beat Woodson there wasn’t a Cowboy in sight that could touched him.”


“After the huddle Crumpler comes out and Coles checks in as the second wide out. Back in the I formation, Brees snaps the ball, play action and Brees hits Coles for a gain seven before he was brought down quickly Nguyen.”


“Second and three here. Out of the shotgun now. Brees snaps the ball, he is looking he puts it deep and Driver has it at the Cowboys 42! He is off to the races now. Only has to beat Hawthorne, and he strongarms Hawthorne and he is making his way to the endzone. Touchdown Tampa Bay Buccaneers!”

<*>

“After a strong showing for three quarters Brees and others in the offensive are being pulled to allow the second stringers take over here. The offensive had just taken the Cowboys to the cleaners today with the score at the start of the fourth quarter being 45-3. Brees had thrown for over 300 yards already with 4 touchdowns. Tomlinson rushed for over 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns today as well. If anything this Bucs offensive looks like they might of finally gotten their house in order with Brees running the show.” The Bucs would go on to win the game 48 to 10 after the second string defense let the Cowboys score a final touch down in the final minutes of play.


September 12 2001


Press Release


Due to the tragic events yesterday the National Football League is cancelling all games to be played on September 16-17.


September 13

Press Release

Its with the saddest of hearts that the National Football League confirms that Roger Goodell was on Flight 93 that crashed into farmland just outside Stonycreek Pennsylvania. Roger will be missed by his friends in the National Football League office. Roger is survived by his wife Jane and two young children.


NFC Playoffs

1)St. Louis Rams 15-1
2)Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-3
3)Philadelphia Eagles 10-6
4)Chicago Bears 11-5
5)Green Bay Packers 11-5
6)San Francisco 49ers 10-6


AFC Playoffs

1)Pittsburgh Steelers 14-2
2)New England Patriots 13-3
3)Oakland Raiders 11-5
4)Miami Dolphins 11-5
5)Baltimore Ravens 10-6
6)Seattle Seahawks 10-6
 
Its with the saddest of hearts that the National Football League confirms that Roger Goodell was on Flight 93 that crashed into farmland just outside Stonycreek Pennsylvania. Roger will be missed by his friends in the National Football League office. Roger is survived by his wife Jane and two young children.
Woah...Woah.....welll....a tragedy, well condonlences his widow and childrens.

Well, we've to see how playoffs will unfold.
 
Top