Just like Joe hopes the Bucs make the playoffs, Joe also hopes to come home to find Rachel Watson waiting for him.

Some of Joe’s readers needle him for being “negative.” Joe has explained time and again he’s never been a roommate of Mark Dominik’s nor can he ever be confused with Rachel Watson.  Therefore, Joe is not an apologist or a cheerleader. 

Of course Joe wants the Bucs to win every game. Joe writes what Joe sees. And Joe doesn’t see the Bucs doing a whole lot this year. Clearly, Joe hopes he’s mistaken.

But Joe has come across something called “The Examiner” where David Jones is trying to put a happy face on what looks to be a gloomy season.

The slate after the bye is a little more favorable but still not easy. Of course, the parity and up-and-down nature of the league makes it a little difficult to project things in July. No one gave the Atlanta Falcons a chance last year in the NFC South. With a rookie quarterback, they rolled to a surprise playoff season in 2008. Why can’t the Bucs use a similar formula in 2009?

Sure, quarterback bust-in-waiting Josh Freeman could turn into the Bucs version of Matt Ryan. And Joe could also win the lottery Saturday and then come home to find a scantily clad Rachel Watson waiting for him (which is also known as winning the lottery).