TK'S BUCS PICK
Buccaneers at Cowboys LINE: Dallas -2 TK vs. Spread 5-0-1
I have to say, the timing couldn't be better for the Bucs to be traveling to the Big D. Wade Phillip's Cowboys are banged up, with two notable figures sidelined for Sunday's game.
Quarterback Tony Romo is out with a broken finger. He will be replaced by Brad Johnson. KR Felix Jones is also out which brings Dallas's KR average down considerably.
I asked several Buccaneers Thursday if they were catching Dallas at the right time. Everyone hesitated, and told me that Dallas still has plenty of talent to go around. I didn't expect any one of the Bucs to come out and say," yeah, we're catching them at a good time." I was looking for someone to look me in the eye and say. "Are you nuts. Korun." Didn't get that. Not even one of those " are you kidding me" looks. Bingo! We're on the money. They are catching Dallas banged up, and the Bucs know it.
I also got the distinct impression the Bucs are going into this game confident, but not cocky.
The Bucs defense will likely get a heavy dose of RB Marion Barber on Sunday. If there was a game the run needs to be keyed to the T, this is it. If they can contain Barber, what's left is Quarterback Brad Johnson. He is truly one of the classiest guys I've met in the NFL. Have great respect for him as a player and as a man. But Ill go so far to say, Brad is not looking forward to going up against this Bucs defense. Unless TO does a number, and look for Johnson to go to TO this week, Johnson is not going to have a very good day at the office. He'll dink and dunk down the field, and that won't get it done.
Major key this week is field position! We're likely to see this game played between the 20's until someone screws up, or makes the big play.
Without KR/RB Felix Jones, Dallas's KR game is average. Jones was averaging some 27 plus yards a return, and I believe around 8 yards a carry. He's a stud. On the flip side, the Bucs have KR'er Dexter Jackson, who I must say, does not have what it takes to be a return guy in this league. This week, he pointed to longevity, keeping himself healthy, not taking uneccessary hits. Well Dexter, your days in the NFL, certainly with the Bucs, may be numbered. When Galloway returns, which could be this week, I'd be sending you to the inactive list unless you put some giddy-up in those returns. Your wasting a roster spot right now. MEMO TO JACKSON: YOUR PLAY IS KEY THIS WEEK! That's providing you get the chance.
Another key to the game: Pressure from D-Line. You've got a pocket-passer in Johnson. He's not going to scramble. Give BJ time, he'll find a way to beat you. Dallas offense leads the league in third down conversions, 52.2%.
This is a big game for TB. With a win on the road at Dallas, they will be sitting pretty heading into the second half of the season. As for our season's picks, talk about pulling one out last week. A late Seattle TD and we beat the spread by a 1/2 point.
Dallas is a 2-point favorite. The last time the Bucs played Dallas was on October 26, 2003 and won 16-0 in Tampa. They meet again on the 26th, this time in Dallas. Here's my Bucs pick for the week:
BUCS +2 TK VS. SPREAD 5-0-1
Tom Korun