Video: How bad is Raheem Morris' start?

Times sports columnist John Romano wonders if Raheem Morris is having one of the worst debuts ever for an NFL head coach in this video from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.

The chase to nowhere. Has NASCAR's points format failed?

Six years later, it's fair to say NASCAR's Chase for the Championship has not worked as well as hoped.

Once again, Jimmie Johnson's clinching of the title was practically a formality by the time the drivers got to Homestead on Sunday. And so, once again, there was no dramatic plot line. And no sense of suspense. This time around, Johnson needed only to finish 25th or better in the season finale to win the Sprint Cup. In previous seasons, he's needed to finish 12th, 18th and 36th.

So is this evidence that the Chase for the Championship format is a dud?

Not really.

You can argue whether the new points system is the most equitable way to determine a champion but, like it or not, it still gives NASCAR its best chance for a pennant-race kind of finish in the season's final weeks.

Look at it this way:

In the six Chase seasons, the champion has finished an average of 58.8 points ahead of the runnerup driver. In the six seasons prior to the Chase, the champion finished an average of 217.8 points ahead of the second place driver.

Makes it kind of hard to argue that the Chase hasn't at least provided the opportunity for more dramatic finishes.

The problem is the Chase has not worked nearly as well as it did the first season when Kurt Busch was nursing an 18-point lead going into the final race, and barely won the title with a fifth-place finish. Had Jimmie Johnson won the race instead of finishing .342 seconds behind Greg Biffle in second, he would have been the Cup champion in 2004.

No finish has been close to that since. Maybe that's bad luck. Maybe that's a scheduling quirk that has some of Johnson's favorite tracks in the season's final 10 races. Maybe the Chase needs more tweaks.

Whatever the reason, it just hasn't been as thrilling as NASCAR probably hoped.

But that doesn't mean it was a mistake.

Video: Jets coach Ryan cries during team meeting

Many NFL coaches have reasons to weep, Times sports columnist Gary Shelton says in this clip from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.

This week, the NFL turns to the quarterbacks the Bucs threw away

For the Raiders' fan, it is a break in the inaction. It isn't a new direction. It isn't a legitimate alternative. But, for goodness sakes, it is something different.

For the Broncos' fan, it is making the best of a bad situation. It isn't anyone's choice. It isn't a welcome sight. For crying out loud, it is just trying to keep the ship afloat until the captain returns.

Ah, but for the Bucs' fan, it is a nice little slice of nostalgia. It is a reminder of yesterday's shortcomings. It is  a matter of recycled memories. For the sake of everyone involved, it is a time to be thankful they don't work here anymore.

Bruce Gradkowski is back.

And who knows? Chris Simms might be, too.

Yep, this is how hard it is to find a quarterback in the NFL. Some teams are still looking through other team's discards. In this case, the Bucs.

In case you had not heard, Gradkowski will start this week for the Raiders, who are telling anyone who will listen that this does not mean that JaMarcus Russell is a bust. He just needs, you know, a breather. Or, as it is called in the NFL, a Ryan Leaf time-out.

You remember Grads, don't you? He got off to an excellent start with the Bucs in 2006, winning two of his first three starts. But as the season went along, the Bucs seemed to ask too much of him, and eventually, the NFL caught up to him.

Gradkowski actually looked pretty good in the late going last week until a pass plunked off a receiver's hands and was intercepted. Even with the pick, it might have been one of the Raiders' highlight drives of the last several seasons.

Of course, this move is more about Russell, the big investment, and less about Gradkowski. But for a backup in the NFL, any reason is a good one.

Remember how much Jon Gruden liked Gradkowski? Now, remember how crazy Chris Simms drove him?

Simms might start this week, too. Broncos starter Kyle Orton has an injured ankle and, although Simms was awful in relief last week, he could start Sunday against San Diego.

I don't know about  you, but I'd like to see both players do well. Simms, in particular, was a terrific kid, and if you remember, he gave his spleen for the Bucs. And in hindsight, Gradkowski was more of a victim than a villain himself.

And just asking: But is there any way Jacksonville could get Luke McCown into the game this week.  You know, for old times' sake?

Video: Bill Belichick catching heat

Times sports columnist John Romano wonders if coach Bill Belichick made some reckless decisions during the Patriots' loss to the Colts in this video clip from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. on Bright House Sports Network.

Video: Pat Burrell for Milton Bradley?

Why would the Rays want troubled outfielder Milton Bradley in a potential trade for Pat Burrell? Times sports columnist John Romano asks in this video clip from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.

Video: Steve Spurrier still looking for an edge

Five years later, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is still looking for an edge against his former team, Times sports columnist John Romano says in this video clip from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.

For the Bucs, there can be beauty in a botched conversion

So how much does it take for a football team to win its first game. A lot, evidently.

Consider the Bucs' 38-28 victory over the Packers on Sunday: It took six sacks, three interceptions, a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown, an 83-yard-kickoff return, a late stand by the defense, a fourth-quarterback comeback, three touchdown passes, an impressive rookie and a large stack of orange jerseys.

Also, it took a failed two-point conversion.

Funny the way things work out sometime, isn't it? But when tight end Kellen Winslow was unable to come  up with a catch on a two-point with 11:34 to play, it actually benefitted the Bucs.

Here's the explanation. If Winslow -- who had just pulled down a touchdown pass atabout the 12-foot level -- had managed to come up with the conversion, it would have pulled the Bucs to within three ponits at 28-25. And that might have changed everything.

For instance, if the Bucs were trailing by three points with 5:12 to play and a first-and-goal on the Packers' 13, do you think they would have passed on three or their next four plays? Do you think Raheem Morris would have gone for it on fourth-and-four or kicked the field to force overtime?

And if the Bucs had kicked the tying field goal with 4:14 to play, don't you think the play selection -- by both teams -- might have been affected down the stretch? Or, perhaps, in overtime? With a tie game, perhaps Aaron Rodgers doesn't throw that final interception that Tanard Jackson returned for a touchdown.

It just goes to show that when a day belongs to a team, even its mistakes seem to help out.

Video: Current Bucs can learn from 1979 squad

The 2009 Bucs can learn from the 1979 squad, which will be honored at Sunday's game against the Packers, Times sports columnist Gary Shelton says in this video clip from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.

Video: Time for Bucs to take a stand with Talib

It's time for the Bucs to take a stand with troubled cornerback Aqib Talib, Times columnist Gary Shelton says in this video report from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.