By BOB FOX
JoeBucsFan.com analyst

Well, the long awaited 2009 schedule release reveals the Bucs were not given any respect by the NFL, in terms of their prime time appearances (zero) and how their schedule plays out. 

No respect at all.

Albert Breer, NFL writer for the Sporting News lays it out and says the Bucs have the toughest schedule in the NFL.  

Raheem Morris’ debut could be unforgiving. The Bucs play all four NFC East teams in the first five weeks and then the Panthers and Patriots before their bye. Oh, and that Week 7 “home” game against New England is in London.

The NFL draft order usually lets fans know how many prime time appearances a team will make.  The Bucs are picking 19th and were 9-7 in 2008.  That SHOULD mean something, but it doesn’t.

Let’s look a the prime time dates for teams that will draft in the top 10 in the 2009 draft:

1) Detroit – one prime time appearance on Thanksgiving (as usual)
2) St. Louis – none
3) Kansas City – none
4) Seattle – none
5) Cleveland – two
6) Cincinnati– none
7) Oakland – one
8 ) Jacksonville – one
9) Green Bay – four
10) San Francisco – two

So basically the NFL equates the Bucs with the worst teams in the NFL in terms of their schedule and prime time games. Plus, the Bucs will have a horrendous slate of games based on the competition, as well as the trip to England to face the Pats.

The Bucs are just like Rodney Dangerfield.  NO respect.