Predictor Pete - Week Seven

This week the Bucs have a Bye Week, which comes at a perfect time. Griese is out for the year with a blown out knee, Cadillac and Dexter Jackson are on the mend and Chris Simms can use the time to lock himself into the starter role before the Bucs take on the 49ers next week.

I'm excited at having Simms take over as QB. Granted, losing Griese can really hurt our team if Simms doesn't work out, but, to be honest, Griese wasn't playing that well anyway. Yes, the Bucs are 5-1, but his play was pretty subpar. Our defense and running game have kept us in the game and was responsible for our victories. When we needed the QB to win the game against the Jets, he didn't.

I'm hoping Simms will establish himself as the long term starter of this offense and earn confidence in Gruden's mind. It would be great to see Cadillac, Simms and Clayton become the Bucs trio akin to the Cowboys' Aikmen, Smith and Irving. Simms is in his third year, Clayton his second and Cadillac his first... if they stay healthy and productive, they could be the cornerstone of great things to come.

I also think picking up Rattay from San Francisco was a great move. He's got a strong arm and has played on a very bad 49er team for the past few years. As Vinny, Doug Williams and Steve Young will tell you, a QB is only as good as the weapons around him. So, I'm hopeful that if Rattay is forced into action, that he will succeed here where he did not on the West Coast.

Heal up, Buccos. The toughest part of your schedule against division rivals is on tap the second half of the season.