Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cut Bradford, Will Play Tanard Jackson Against Saints

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are optimistic about their chances against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, perhaps they should be up in Washington trying to solve the current economic crisis.

The state of both is beginning to look similar.

It's only Week 6 and once again Gerald McCoy has proven that it's never too soon to get injured. He's hobbling around with an ankle problem with no certain timeline for a return to the lineup.

The team then admitted it made a mistake with Allen Bradford, the sixth-round pick out of Southern Cal who was waived even though LeGarrette Blount is out for who knows how long thanks to a torn and/or sprained MCL.

Mike Williams finally said what everyone else has been saying: He needs to play better. Ah, another young Sherlock Holmes.

In another indication of how desperate things are over there at One Buccaneer Place, Tanard Jackson was reinstated on Tuesday and will play on Sunday, lending questions as to the value of training camp and five weeks of practice, or could this be an indictment of the existing situation at the safety positions?

Whatever it is, things have to look very iffy for Sunday with the Saints coming to town.

These Saints are 4-1 and if you look around at the various power rankings, most have them right behind the Packers. The Bucs are falling in the power rankings like a bad stock in the market place.

So, how do you feel about the greatness that is Earnest Graham toting the football on Sunday? If not Graham, there's Kregg Lumpkin, which rhymes with Great Pumpkin, and it's almost Halloween, isn't it, Charlie Brown?

On the other side of the ball, the Saints have plenty of punch on the ground. We'll get a close look at their No. 1 draft pick, Mark Ingram from Alabama. The Bucs can also see what they could have had in Darren Sproles, had they chosen to spend a couple of free agency dollars. If they're not enough, add Pierre Thomas.

No worries, the Bucs counter with Graham and Lumpkin.

Add to that the problem tight end Jimmy Graham will provide for the state of confusion that is the linebacker position for the Bucs. Sure, Mason Foster's looking better each week, but can the Bucs convert to a 6-1 front seven?

Now for more bad news, Foster missed two practices this week, which doesn't bode well for Sunday.

I can hear you out there right now, "Tom, you've got to curb your enthusiasm."

You're right, can't wait for Sunday.

Heck, the Panthers gave the Saints all they could handle last week before pulling out a 30-27 win at Carolina. And you'd figure that the Bucs might be three points better than the 1-4 Panthers, wouldn't you?

See you in overtime.