MNF requires schedule alterations

Football coaches are creatures of habit, particularly Jon Gruden. He'd prefer to play every game on Sunday at 1 p.m. so as to not upset the perfect order of things in his world.

But, alas, the Bucs play at Carolina on Monday Night Football, and the Bucs will have to adjust accordingly. That means that, unlike most weeks, players have two days off this week. They were free Tuesday and have today off as well. They'll return to One Buc Place Thursday morning ready to work and will hold practices through Saturday, unlike most weeks when Friday is the final practice.

Meanwhile, coaches spent Monday working on preparations for . . . . the Atlanta Falcons. That's right. Since coaches typically use Mondays for much of their preliminary game planning, the Bucs will be shortchanged next week since they play on Monday night. Tuesday, they'll have to jump right into the game plan, which needs to be complete by the time players return to work on Wednesdays.

So, although you're probably excited to see your favorite team play under the lights on national television, it certainly is a big undertaking for teams involved to make the necessary adjustments to the schedule.

Comments

[Fuber]

I hope no one is complaining. I wish I had those kinds of problems.

[IMISS_No47]

Maybe after 2 good years the Bucs will get more than 1 MNF...didn't the Browns have 3??? This game should have been in Tampa anyways. I have to go freeze in Charlotte!

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Oh man I hope they don't give us a bunch of MNF games next year Browns style. I fear for next season. No Kiffin, vets may retire or be lost, Garcia may not come back...I'm nervous.

[Jay]

As long as we're not being sentenced to a Thursday night on the NFL network, I'm completely fine with this. It'll also be nice to get some actual good commentators for a change, although Brian Billick has been pretty good, especially last week.

[CW]

Agreed about the commentators, although I really don't like Kornheiser or the idea of a 3-man booth in general. I like Tirico and Jaws a lot though, so I guess that outweighs that annoying little guy. But, I'm not big on the MNF game as a whole for totally selfish reasons. It's on really late, it throws off the team's schedule and it screws up my Sunday. Plus, we have to wait all the way until Monday for this HUGE game!

[Matt H]

Anybody noticed all of the Media articles about the Bucs today?

yahoo.com has an article about Rudd being pro-bowl worthy

nfl.com has an article about Gruden & Allen

SI.com has Garcia on the front of the power rankings

cbssportsline.com has an article about Garcia

[robk]

If you have Verizon Fios Tv you have 2 ABC channels......Tampa WFTS (11) and Sarasota WWSB (7) .

Assuming the Sarasota station isn't carrying the football game...you'll be able to watch the programming that WFTS isn't showing, regular ABC programming.

[dond]

Matt .... I actually have seen more articles about our BUCS. CNN sports .. there is a big picture of Garcia .... and we are ranked 4th in the NFL in that poll..

[Tim Willard]

Great tip on the Ruud article. It is really unbelievable that this team is virtually unheard of around the league. That said, I cannot wait to head up to Charlotte to watch Caddy unleash and the Buc D to play lights out! Go Bucs!