Buccaneers 2006 Schedule/ Player News.

Martin Gramatica has reemerged in football. The Patriots have signed kicker Martin Gramatica, reports the Associated Press. The Patriots are hoping that Gramatica can once again become Automatica, which he was known as here in the Bay area. Gramatica, who was out of football in 2005, will try to replace departed Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri, who defected to the Colts earlier this offseason. Terms of the deal were not released. Gramatica was a super nice guy, who's autograph I also have that goes with my collection of many Bucs Players and Coaches. I hope he does well with the Patriots and comes back as a big (little) kicker.

The Buccaneers got their man on Thursday when the Cowboys failed to match their offer to restricted free agent offensive tackle Torrin Tucker before the midnight deadline. The Tampa Tribune reports that Tucker signed a two-year, $2.6 million offer sheet with the Bucs.

Well it is that time of year, we got opening Baseball season, NHL Playoffs, but leave it to the NFL to keep making news during the off-season. The NFL Network on Thursday had a big to do about the NFL 2006 Schedule. There is some big games this season, and while it is said that the NY Giants and Bengals have the hardest schedule this up coming season, the Buccaneers are up there with a tough schedule.


2006 Buccaneers Season Schedule
-- Preseason --




Fri. Aug. 11 N.Y JETS 7:30 p.m. WFLA-TV (NBC)






Sat. Aug. 19 MIAMI 7:30 p.m. WFLA-TV (NBC)






Sat. Aug. 26 at Jacksonville 8:00 p.m. CBS (national)







Thurs. Aug. 31 at Houston 8:00 p.m. WFLA-TV (NBC)





-- Regular Season --



Sun. Sept. 10 BALTIMORE 1:00 p.m. CBS






Sun. Sept. 17 at Atlanta 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Sept. 24 CAROLINA 1:00 p.m. FOX





Sun. Oct. 1 -- Bye Week --



Sun. Oct. 8 at New Orleans 1:00 p.m. FOX







Sun. Oct. 15 CINCINNATI 1:00 p.m. CBS






Sun. Oct. 22 PHILADELPHIA 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Oct. 29 at N.Y. Giants 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Nov. 5 NEW ORLEANS 1:00 p.m. FOX






Mon. Nov. 13 at Carolina 8:30 p.m. ESPN (national)







Sun. Nov. 19 WASHINGTON 1:00 p.m. FOX






Thurs. Nov. 23 at Dallas 4:15 p.m. FOX (national)






Sun. Dec. 3 at Pittsburgh 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Dec. 10 ATLANTA 1:00 p.m. FOX








Sun. Dec. 17 at Chicago 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Dec. 24 at Cleveland 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Dec. 31 SEATTLE 1:00 p.m. FOX


As a season ticket holder, I love the ten home games that I get to see this year. I also love the fact that The Bucs will open and close the 2006 season at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bucs open at home against the Ravens, then on to 2 divisional games, a bye week, which comes way to early this season. Then another division game. I like the fact that the division games are early, it will get the division under way and possibly give us a little breathing room near the end of the season when the Bucs have 3 very cold-weather games in December: Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh on the 3rd, at NFC North champion Chicago on the 17th and at Cleveland on the 24th.

The Bucs are back on Monday Night Football this season. On Nov.13 at Carolina, the Bucs must face receiver Keyshawn Johnson adding drama to an already heated matchup.

The Bucs then Play on Thanksgiving day against none other then the Dallas Cowboys, which is looking like I might be there. If my Buddy, who goes once a year to see his Cowboys, gets the tickets.

Now matter what happens, it looks to be a good season. I am glad that I will have front row seats.