Monday, September 29, 2008

Tryson Triumph for Bucs and Bryant

By JC De La Torre

You're simply not human if you don't feel good for Matt Bryant this morning. Suffering a personal tragedy that no one could ever imagine (except for those who have had the unfortunate luck to experience it), Bryant helped kick the Buccaneers to a 30-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers. His 3 month old son Tryson died last week. The Bucs #3 kicked 3 three point field goals, and three extra points. 3's were all over the place for Tampa Bay.

After spotting Green Bay a 7-0 lead, the Buccaneer defense put on a clinic, harrassing and battering QB Aaron Rodgers into 3 interceptions and 3 sacks. The Bucs took a 13-7 lead into half time thanks to Bryant's 2 field goals. The Bucs would add another score, this time by the defense to take a 20-7 lead.

That's when Brian Griese decided to be give the Green Bay defense Christmas in September. A horrible Griese interception set up the Packers for an Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings touchdown pass to cut the lead to 20-14. Then, on the first play of the fourth quarter, Griese telegraphed a pass intended for Warrick Dunn in the flat, Pro Bowl corner/safety Charles Woodson broke on the ball, picked off and went to the house. A 13 point Bucs lead evaporated to a 1 point deficit in just two throws.

But the resiliant Bucs wouldn't be denied. They began pounding the Packer front 7 with power back Earnest Graham and sprinkled in scat back Warrick Dunn. They allowed Griese to attempt "safe" passes to keep him out of trouble. The Bucs would move into field goal range for broken hearted Matt Bryant. Bryant drilled the 24 yd field goal to put the Bucs up 23-21, looking up and blowing a kiss to his son in heaven.

After a Gaines Adams interception, Earnest Graham finally cracked the worn down Packers run defense, busting loose on a 47 yd gallop that should have counted as a touchdown. Unfortunately, replay did not reverse the call, but Graham would get his just rewards on the next carry, plunging into the endzone from a yard out and give the Bucs an insurmountable 30-21 lead.

The defense played superbly and deserves all the credit in the world. But this day belongs to Tryson and the Bryant family. Rest in peace, young man. Rest in Peace

Bolts Travel 12 Hours for Euro Win

By JC De La Torre

Some teams will do anything for a win. The Tampa Bay Lightning, as ambassadors of the NHL, travelled 12 gruling hours to Slovakia to face Berlin Esbarin. Tampa Bay won the game, 4-1, with Jason Ward leading the way with 2 goals.

The Bolts will open the season in Prague, playing the New York Rangers.

USF Makes a Statement

By JC De La Torre

Despite missing three starters on defense and coming off a lackluster performance against Florida International, the Bulls destroyed NC State on the road in Raliegh, NC. 41-10.

Granted, NC State is not one of the power teams in the weak ACC, but the Bulls showed the nation that they do know how to put away an inferior opponent. The game was never close, as the Bulls offense marched on scoring drives of 76, 68, and 81 on their first three possessions. The defense, perhaps fired up by some disparing comments made by NC State coach Tom O'Brien, played one of their best games of the season and for the first time this year, shut out an opponent in the second half.

The Bulls move into the Top 10 with their 5-0 record and look like the power of the Big East with West Virginia, Louisville, and Pitt not living up to expectations.

Rays Still Awaiting ALDS Opponent

By JC De La Torre

The time is set. The date is set. The opponent? Not so much. The Rays know Game 1 of the ALDS will open on Thursday at the awful time of 2:35pm (come on...the Rays first ever playoff game and those fans that didn't get tickets don't even get to see it because the majority of them will be at work), but whether the game will be against the Minnesota Twins or the Chicago White Sox remains to be seen. The weekend that was supposed to decide all the playoff positioning decided nothing, as both teams matched wins and losses, leaving them separated by 1/2 game. Today, the White Sox play the pesky Detroit Tigers in a make up game. If the Sox win, they will force a one game playoff with the Twins.

I really believe that the Rays matchup better with Chicago than the Twins. Minnesota is very similar to Tampa Bay in that they have good starting pitching, an offense that hits right at the right time, and a solid bull pen. Chicago has some power, but their pitching can be had. The Rays split the season series with the Twins but won the series with White Sox, both series were competitive.

Either way, it should be a great series. Its just a shame many Rays fans will miss out on it due to the crappy start time.

Thanks alot, MLB and TBS!

Welcome to the Tampa Bay Sports Blog

Greetings and welcome to my new blog. This blog will strictly deal with Tampa Bay sports. This includes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Tampa Bay Rays, the USF Bulls, and the Tampa Bay Storm. In addition, I'll touch on national sports subjects, College sports (Gators, Noles, Canes), and offer my opinions on just about anything sports related. Feel free to comment, I'm sure they won't all be compliments - I'm a big boy...I can take it!

I'm also an author of Speculative fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, etc.) so if you like that type of thing, check out my website at http://jcdelatorre.com

This blog previously resided at http://tampabaysportsblog.bustablog.com but honestly, I didn't think they did enough to satisfy this blog.

Thanks for reading.