Joe would rather watch Bill Parcells take a bath than the Bucs offense in the red zone

The Bucs made four games worth of big defensive plays against the Falcons, but still managed to throw the game away.

Why?

Why?

Why?

First and foremost, Joe is a diehard Bucs fan, and he can’t remember when the defense had so many stellar big plays but still lost. Surely, there were games like this in the Trent Dilfer-Sean King era. But was anything this sickening?

Here’s the painful recap:

1. Running full speed, Jermaine Phillips stripped TE Jason Rader at the goal line – after a 25-yard gain – to force a key turnover.
2. Aqib Talib made an acrobatic interception at the goal line to thwart a Falcons’ drive.
3. Ronde Barber had a pick at midfield.
4. Backup wide receiver Brian Clark blocked a punt that set up the Bucs for what should have been the winning touchdown drive from the Falcons’ 22 yard line with 2:29 remaining.

Yes, the Falcons churned out 373 yards of offense, sadly typical of a Bucs road performance, and Atlanta had too many long runs. But the Bucs defense was huge when it had to be.

The Bucs red zone offense, though, is more painful to watch than Bill Parcells taking a bath.

There has got to be a way for this team to move the ball in the red zone. Either the young offensive line is very overrated or the play-calling between the 20s is simply a second rate sideshow.