Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

There are certain trap game situations every team should be aware of, one of those being the situation the Bucs are going into on Sunday. Tampa Bay has clinched the NFC South, are guaranteed a home playoff game, and have little to play for. Fortunately Jon Gruden can play the respect card what with the Pro Bowl “snub” of the Bucs players (even if they weren’t really snubbed).

BY THE NUMBERS (DVOA explained here)
Buccaneers
Offense: ppg, 20.9 (#18) – DVOA, 11.0% (#9)
Defense: ppg, 16.6 (t#1) – DVOA, -12.2% (#3)
49ers
Offense: ppg, 13.6 (#31) – DVOA, -12.2% (#32)
Defense: ppg, 23.2 (#22) – DVOA, 14.9% (#31)

The 49ers suckitude has been overlooked this season for Eastern time zone teams like Miami and Atlanta (East Coast bias strikes again!) but by the Football Outsiders stats they are the worst team in the league. This game has all the makings of a blow out as the 49ers are down to starting 3rd string quarterback Shaun Hill, who is making just his 2nd start ever.

Random Stat of the Week: 1883
As in 1883 kickoff returns without a touchdown return in the history of the franchise until Michael Spurlock made history. (Although there is disagreement over the exact number.)

Over-Played Story of the Week: Garcia Going Back to the Bay
We get it, Jeff Garcia is a San Fran area guy. Where was all this sentimentalism when the 49ers ran Garcia out of town?

Cheerleader of the Week: Maki
We here at the Sticks are all about multi-nationalism which is why I present Tokyo import Maki, a cheerleader with the 49ers. I wonder if she was one of those Goth-Lolita girls in Tokyo?

YouTube Clip of the Week: 49ers Rap
Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice’s response to the Bear’s Super Bowl Shuffle. God help me if the Bucs ever do anything like this.

Bucs Blog of the Week: BucStats
Scott from the Don’t-Call-Me-A-Blog Buc Stats blog points out another instance of Bucs being snubbed, the ‘76 Buccaneers.