Bucs passed over for U.K. trip

It looks like the Bucs will be passed over for this year's international game.

The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Chargers will play the host Saints at London's Wembley Stadium next season. The Bucs, Saints, Seahawks and Chiefs were said to be under consideration for the game, with the Bucs being a logical choice because of the Glazer family's English ties through its ownership  of soccer club Manchester United.

The news will be officially announced later this week in a press conference from the Super Bowl.

Word is the league was looking for a potential high-scoring game after this season's rain-slicked 13-10 Giants win over the Dolphins in October in London. If that's the case, the Bucs weren't really that smart a choice given their 20.9-point scoring average in 2007. That ranked them tied for 18th in the league.

This news has left me kind of bummed. I was looking forward to my first trip to England. Thought the Bucs were a slam dunk. Guess I'll have to cash in my Delta miles to get there after all.

Comments

[John P]

Stephen, any word on who the home team is going to be? It'd be a bonus to see the Saints stripped of a home game.

[Stephen Blackehart]

I'm actually relieved. I mean, sorry you don't get to go, Stephen, but as for the Bucs...we have a tough enough time travelling to our own west coast, much less trying to travel to England and manage to win a regular season game. Plus, it affects the games before and after, with all the travel preparations and jet-lag. I think that, while the exposure is nice, I'd rather have the best shot we can get at stacking up some wins.

[Rob]

Couldn't have said it better myself Blackehart!!!

[Stephen_Holder]

John P: the way I read it, the Saints will lose a true home game. They'll be the host team across the pond.

[John P]

Tough for the Saints, then. Losing a game on artificial surface, and having it played instead on what might be the slowest field on planet earth (next to a peat bog) can't exactly be thrilling them.