Joe thinks T.J. Houshmandzadeh would look a lot better in Pewter and Red.

Long before the regular season kicked off, Joe wrote (numerous times actually) that the Bucs most valuable player is Joey Galloway and that if Galloway doesn’t play, the Bucs offense will suffer, and down go the Bucs.

Galloway has played sparingly due to injury. This is not a knock of Galloway. Joe likes him, but Father Time rests for no one. Galloway will soon be 37 and, to be polite, Galloway is brittle. To be blunt, the Bucs cannot count on Galloway any more. If he is able to play, it’s icing on the cake.

Notice that aside from a freak two or three minutes when Chicago’s defense was gassed the Bucs passing game has been pretty much lame (a lot of that has to do with the stiff behind center: Son of Bob)? This is due to the fact the Bucs can’t stretch the defense without Galloway. Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times has pointed out that the Bucs have only five completions over 20 yards; third lowest in the NFL.

“Here’s another reason this is troubling: When the Bucs find themselves in third-and-long situations, as they frequently do, it’s difficult to convert when the majority of your passes gain fewer than six yards (for the record, the Bucs are tied for 22nd in third-down conversion ratio at 35 percent).”

As the trade deadline is approaching, Joe takes a look at a few wide receivers on garbage teams that might be available.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals: Joe always thought this guy had ability. Sure, he’s a jackass. But Chucky already has the King of Turds. It’s not like being a jackass will prevent Chucky from grabbing him.

Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: He averages 12 yards a catch and has two catches over 20 yards… almost half of what the Bucs have.

Andre Johnson, Texans: Joe always liked the former Hurrigangsta. Sadly, he hasn’t been the same since he blew out a knee but he’s surely better than Maurice Stovall. Johnson averages 13 yards a catch and has three over 20 yards.

Plaxico Burress, Giants: No, the Giants aren’t garbage. Far from it. But it seems “Plaxiglass,” as he was known in Pittsburgh for being oft-injured, has worn out his welcome in the New Jersey Swamplands. As he demonstrated in the NFC Championship game last winter, when he wants to be, “Plaxiglass” can be an absolute stud of a downfield receiver. Sure, he has baggage. Like the King of Turds doesn’t?