We're at the quarter pole of the 2009 NFL Season and for the fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers it couldn't be more of a trying season.
As bandwagon fans have fallen off by the droves, those fans standing by the team are left with questions regarding the direction of the football team under the current regime.
There's been a changing of the guard, strange hirings and even weirder firings. There's been indecision, second guessing, bad contracts given, even worse talent evaluation and in the end some really terrible football.
You'd have to imagine the Bucs owners, the Glazers, aren't too happy with the work of General Manager Mark Dominik (paying millions of dollars to players not playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Head Coach Raheem Morris (0-4 start with the team in complete disarray).
Let's take a look at the first quarter of the Bucs season and dole out some awards (if possible).
First Quarter Record: 0-4
Overall Record: 0-4
The Bucs were blown out in three of their first four games. While they were in most of their games in to the fourth quarter, the suspect defense and inconsistent offense eventually led to ugly finishes.
Most Valuable Player: Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, Running Back
You had to search high and low for a guy deserving of the first quarter MVP. Michael Clayton opened up with a great game but has since fizzled. Maurice Stovall had a solid game but got hurt. Byron Leftwich got benched. Jeff Faine and Derrick Ward got hurt. Earnest Graham was forgotten.
No one on the defense truly deserves the award.
Williams has put together an amazing comeback after two major knee injuries. Cadillac leads all Buc rushers with 191 yds rushing and one touchdown. He's averaging 5.0 yards a carry and has added another element to his game in the receiving game. Williams has hauled in 12 receptions for 81 yds and a score.
Offensive Player of the Quarter: Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, Running Back
For the same reasons as above, you've got to give it to Williams.
Defensive Player of the Quarter: Barrett Ruud, Linebacker
Picking a Defensive player of the quarter on this team is like picking the best pile of manure to soil your plant beds—it all stinks. Ruud has probably been the most consistent of the bunch for the defenseless Buccaneers.
He's on pace for 160 tackles. If he'd make a splash play here or there or just down right "jack up" someone, we might notice.
Special Teams Player of the Quarter: Dirk Johnson, Punter
I was going to pick Mike Nugent but he was released (just kidding). Dirk has punted well in the absence of Josh Bidwell, averaging 43.1 yards a punt and putting six balls inside the 20.
Most Improved Player of the Quarter: Josh Johnson, Quarterback
Johnson's rise to the starting quarterback job with the Buccaneers is a Cinderella story. Drafted in the fifth round by the Bucs in 2008 from little known University of San Diego, Johnson made the squad but was relegated to fourth string as he was termed as a "project".
Once he reached camp, Johnson looked completely inaccurate and out of sorts with the NFL game.
Working with then quarterbacks coach Greg Olsen, the young player made significant strides, improving on his accuracy and reading defenses.
Still, he toiled, getting few snaps in practice other than running the scout team.
With the firing of Jon Gruden, the offense Johnson was bred to play was now gone and it appeared the Buccaneers would go in a completely different direction—a style of offense that emphasized running the football and throwing vertically. The vertical game wasn't Johnson's forte.
After the signing of Leftwich and the drafting of first round pick Josh Freeman, things looked pretty bleak for Johnson.
Again, he was relegated to 4th string snaps and it looked very likely he would not make the club.
Despite the limited reps, Johnson flourished in the pre-season and basically played his way on to the roster. He played so well that the team felt comfortable in dealing Luke McCown and instilling the second year player as the number two guy, ahead of Freeman.
After Leftwich struggled in Week Three, Johnson completed his unlikely ascension to the top quarterback spot.
He certainly has a ways to go, but there's several folks who are even more excited about Johnson's skills than Freeman's.
Most Disappointing Player of the Quarter: Gaines Adams, Defensive End
Sorry, Gaines. One half of great play doesn't excuse the other 14 quarters where you were non-existent.
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