Kellen Winslow II has been in the league for five years (well technically he's only played in three of those), and they have certainly not been boring. Controversy seems to follow the tight end everywhere, and it's made its way to Tampa. Winslow decided to skip his new team's OTAs, and former Buc Warren Sapp is not happy with his work ethic. Via the St. Pete Times....

Tight end Kellen Winslow, the team's biggest off-season acquisition, did not attend the Bucs' first day or organized team activities.

Former Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who visited the club Tuesday, spared no criticism for Winslow.

"So when your team fires up OTA's and you're not here, I guess you're being misunderstood again, right?'' Sapp said. "Your past don't equal your future, but it will damn sure give me some reflection of what you might do. I'll leave it at that.''

No word yet as to why Winslow did not attend the voluntary workouts Tuesday, but team officials were aware that he had a conflict and would join them soon.

I've criticized Sapp in the past for being over-the-top with things, but I have to agree that he's right on with this one. However, if Winslow told the team about a "conflict", Sapp might just want to relax.

Winslow not at first OTA (Bucs Beat)

The Tampa QB is the likely recipient of the Hit of the Week, courtesy of the Bolts' Quentin Jammer:



(sings)

"There was this man who snapped his poke in little pieces,
and then they drilled holes,
and then they put him back in there.
I got no lips, I got no tongue.
Where there were eyes, there's only space.
I got no lips, I got no tongue!"

Hey, why not another "analyst war" to add to the growing list? This time it involves Warren Sapp and Keyshawn Johnson, and was of course started by Sapp during his weekly random bashing on Inside the NFL. So the topic of discussion was the Cowboys, and how Brad Johnson was going to work for them, when out of nowhere he goes into a mini rant on ex-Cowboy and current ESPN analyst, Keyshawn Johnson....

"An accurate quarterback, a championship, someone that knows the ropes and how to distribute the ball. He’s played with worse malcontents than T.O. He played with Keyshawn. Keyshawn was kicked off the team, away from us. Terrell Owens is a choirboy compared to Keyshawn. He’ll get the ball and distribute it and they’ll be fine."- Warren Sapp

Now I sort of understand the point he was going for there, but was there really a need to bring Keyshawn's name into it like that. Obviously, based on reporter's and teammate's accounts of his demeanor, the statement is likely true, but Sapp is just taking every chance he can to be controversial. Sooner or later that's going to come back to haunt him.

Warren Sapp calls Keyshawn Johnson 'malcontent' (Watchdog)

Signal to Noise mentioned Lena Headey in the comment of the last thread. She is, in fact, amazing, but I'm not sure she can save this new Terminator show. It doesn't look, how do they say, "good".

Good start to the second half: Tampa Bay turns it over on the kickoff, and New York picks up right where they left off.

Eli rolls out, avoids pressure, and makes his first mistake in awhile, missing Boss in the end zone. The ball is tipped and almost intercepted. Next play, screen to Jacobs, first down. They haven't done a lot on the ground with Jacobs, but he's had a couple of big receptions thus far, including the first touchdown.
Missed the specifics of the last series - the baby started fussing and my wife apparently forgot that I had a prior commitment. Don't get married, kids! Anyway, the Giants take it down to the goal line but can't put it in the end zone, leaving it up to Lawrence Tynes to put points on the board. The field goal is up, and it is good.

New York 17, Tampa Bay 7

I can't wait for Cloverfield. - JD

Yeah, looks pretty good (how's that for analysis?)

Garcia picked in the end zone - way to kill that promising drive. Why aren't they using Graham more to set up Garcia, instead of the other way around?

You commenters are brutal re: Garcia, and I love you for it.

Okay, so I've missed most of the third quarter - you, the commenters, are manly men for the sheer wit and wisdom of your responses in my absence.

I'm thinking that Joe Buck doesn't actually like sports. He likes the life — he learned that from his dad, and he can recite from his notes with the best of them (and then some), but I don't think he actually likes sports (the game on the field). He got into this because it was the family business. - newmexiken

Interesting thought. Actually, that's not far from the way I tend to view sports - love the history and factual stuff, but don't often sit and just watch a game. (Did I just compare myself to Joe Buck?)

If it's a penalty for Pax, the it's a penalty for Moss, but the NFL has let Moss get away with the same thing for the entire season. - pm

Actually, Moss did get called for offensive interference a few times this season. Burress actually got away with one last week against the Patriots, in the end zone. I think everyone but Peter King saw him push Ellis Hobbs. The problem isn't with Moss getting away with it, it's with virtually every receiver getting away with it.

Third quarter is over, by the way, and the Giants are trying to get Ahmad Bradshaw moving on the ground to chew up some clock. The two basic plays at this point are a Bradshaw run and an underthrown pass from Eli.

So Joe Buck=fredo? - sam

First Eli Manning, then Jeff Garcia, now Joe Buck. NO ONE IS SAFE TODAY!

First-and-goal for the Giants, under ten minutes on the clock. Huge series of plays for the Bucs - a field goal here keeps it a two touchdown game, and they can't really afford to go down three scores with seven-ish minutes to play.

And, seconds after I write that, Amani Toomer catches the touchdown pass from Eli. I'm not quite ready to write, "It's over" in my notebook, but it's getting close.

New York 24, Tampa Bay 7

Tampa Bay's diagnosis of Amani Toomer: not benign in any way. - Signal to Noise
-1 to S2N for the groaner pun of the day. - pm

I came thisclose to writing Amani "It's Not A" Toomer. Pray for me. Pray for all of us.

"Eli Manning, one of the biggest days of his young career." - Buck

When exactly does a career get to the point where you can't refer to it as "young" anymore? I mean, it's Eli's fourth season. He's 27. Does that really still qualify as young, or am I wrong?

Tampa Bay needs to go downfield for a quick score if they want a chance in this game. Bring on Gradkowski!

I have no idea if Gradkowski actually has a strong arm or not. I just really wanted to type, "Bring on Gradkowski".

How many Bill Parcells Coors Light commercials does the world really need? It seems like there are a million of them out there.

Apologies if this has been mentioned before, but now that you notice it it will torment your enjoyment of any broadcast featuring Troy. He doesn't speak in sentences, he speaks in clauses. His conjunction of abuse is criminal.

example: "Yeah, I don't want to overstate this drive by any means Joe, BUT y'know that's a heck of a job right there by Eli Manning AS you said directing this drive, getting them down here into a position to throw the touchdown pass AND you know, who knows, whatever happens BUT we may be looking back at some point and time on this drive for Eli Manning and say, "You know what? that's when he really grew up."

I can't say anything about this. I sometimes with the word "but" had never been invented.

Touchdown, Bucs.

New York 24, Tampa Bay 14

If the game clock wasn't down to the 3:25, I'd say that this isn't over. Unfortunately, I'm not sure the Bucs have anyone who is a threat to score quickly, even if they recover an onsides kick.

"Too bad U2 didn't sing a song called, "It's A Humid Day." - Buck

WHAT? 57% humidity is cause for alarm? I find that to be as stupid as anything Joe Buck has ever said.

Oh, and good call not to onside kick there, Gruden. You can always try to hold 'em and score again in the fifth quarter. What's that? There is no fifth quarter? Well then, I'm afraid you're screwed.

Why, why, why are we still comparing Eli Manning to Peyton. Guess what, Joe Buck? Eli will never be as good as Peyton! Peyton, like him or not, is going to end up as one of the top three quarterbacks ever. Eli might, if he's lucky, make a couple of Pro Bowls. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that.

Troy Aikman is leading the league in flip-flops today. Three minutes ago: "Good call, he was out of bounds," even though there someone on the sidelines walked in front of the camera and you couldn't see where McQuarters landed. Now, "That's an interception." Troy should run for president.

Barring a miracle for Tampa Bay, this one's over. Thanks everyone for reading, and be sure to join Signal to Noise for the upcoming Chargers-Titans games.

Final Score: New York Giants 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14

Final Note: Joe Buck just referred to Jeff Feagles as "the wily veteran."

Hello, dear Awful Announcing Readers. It's been so long since last we spoke. For those of you who are new to the party, my name is Brian and I write a fantastic blog called One More Dying Quail (seriously, my mom uses the word "fantastic" to describe it). I used to do the weekends around these parts until my kid was born and my wife started to expect me to "help out" around the house, which put a bit of a crimp in blogging productivity. Not that I resent the little guy or anything.

Fortunately, the kid is sleeping and the wife has been warned of the afternoon's festivities, so barring some sort of natural disaster here in New Hampshire, I'll be around to guide you through the Giants-Bucs game, which should be the best quarterbacked game we'll see all postseason. I've got the odds at 5:1 that we see both Bruce Gradkowski and Jared Lorenzen on the field at some point this afternoon.

Be back in a few with the first half - until then, enjoy this video of Eli Manning from back in the day:



Frank Caliendo? Whatever happened to his TBS show? I saw a couple commercials for it during the baseball playoffs, there was some buzz around the debut, then...nothing.

"Six million unemployed people and FOX hired YOU? How about you start being funny - like a New Year's Resolution or something." - Terry Bradshaw on Caliendo

WebMD is just as great as the commercials would have you think. I recently diagnosed myself with about six different diseases. It's a hypochondriac's dream.

"What a scene on a gorgeous day here in Tampa..." - Joe Buck - Oh yeah, Joe? Well, here in New Hampshire, we're looking to top 40 today. And it's not snowing. Top that.

"Writers Strike OMDQ. They only aired 4 episodes." - Anonymous re: Caliendo

I'm loving the commercials today. The current AIG campaign is hilarious ("It's a NIGHTMARE!"). It'd be nice if PepsiMax could come up with something new, though.

Great - three seconds before kickoff, the kid starts crying. I went into his room, we stared each other down for about fifteen seconds - then I said, "You're not going back to sleep, are you?" followed by a huge grin.

I'd hate him if I didn't love him so damn much.

Anyhow - the Giants take the opening kickoff, come out firing...and go three and out. Good start, Eli. Feagles boots it away and the Bucs take over at about the twenty. Two short Earnest Graham carries and the Bucs have third down.

WOW, FOX actually showed player introductions scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Now was that so hard, Rupert? - DTM - I read a blog post this morning from somebody who absolutely HATED that, but I'm with you. I think it looked good.

Led by the Ageless Jeff Garcia, the Bucs are on the move. Two third down conversions and they're across midfield.

If you're already drinking here's a little game for you to play....The Eli Manning Drinking Game" - AA

Band shot! Oh wait... - ssreporters

The sad thing is that I'm still firmly expecting a band shot even though there's no marching band there. - willmott

If there's a band shot today, I will buy everyone here a drink (note: while the occurrence of a band shot is unlikely, this is still just a joke. If somehow, somewhere, and band appears and they show it on the screen, please do not come to New Hampshire looking for alcohol.

The Bucs offense remembers that it is the Bucs offense and stalls. Punt, and Eli will start the next drive at the 14.

"Eli thought the weather had something to do with his performance at the end of the season." - Buck - Yeah. That's it. It's the weather's fault. As if on cue, the Giants go three and out in sunny Tampa Bay.

I'll be honest: I like the "Dude" commercials, and the first shot of Joe Buck is a nice touch in the latest one. But the ending sucks.

The Bucs have great field position and go for it all on first down. Garcia manages to overthrow Joey Galloway by about ten yards. Earnest Graham is a beast, however, and runs over a couple guys en route to the first down. Slant to Michael Clayton for another first down. It's early, but Tampa Bay is having some success moving the ball.

Those Burger King commercials have got to be staged. I refuse to believe that Americans would get so pissed off about a fast-food burger......eh, yeah, I can. - Signal to Noise. Dude. I worked at McDonald's for seven years in high school and college. I once had a guy yell at me because I didn't say "Thank you" when he was leaving. Another first down for the Bucs and they're just about in the Red Zone.

More bad news for New York: long snapper Jay Alford is down with an injury. Garcia comes back from the injury timeout with a fourteen yard completion across the middle. Graham takes it down to the one, then punches it in. Touchdown, Bucs.

Tampa Bay 7, New York 0.

Bucs kick it off. Hixon with a minimal return. Unlike the Patriots, Tampa Bay apparently knows how to tackle on special teams. My wife just heard Joe Buck mention Davin Joseph and has now decided that we need to get our son a Tampa Bay "Joseph" jersey. Doesn't even matter to her that he's an offensive lineman.

Alcoholics, take note: Eli Manning is back on the field.

"The Giants have got to run the ball." - Buck, seconds before Brandon Jacobs is hit for a four yard loss. Good call.

Gaines Adams jumps early - five yard penalty. I think the Giants have gained more yards in penalties than they have in actual offensive yardage. Eli tries "fitting that one in" and it's almost intercepted.

And down goes Eli, at the hands of Gaines Adams. Drink. And then he looks disheveled on the sidelines. Drink. Poor Jeff Feagles is gonna have to ice his leg at halftime.

Earnest Graham dropped for a loss as the first quarter comes to a close. Only 45 more minutes to go before it's all over, Eli.

Face. Drink. - Anonymous.

The Giants defense "stiffens up" (Joe Buck's words, not mine) and forces a three-and-out. I think Michael Strahan and Co. might have realized that if they want to win this game, they're gonna have to cover for the offense's shortcomings. Last week might, just might, have been a fluke.

ELI COMPLETES A PASS! Four yard gain. There you go, Brother Eli. I knew you wouldn't let us down. AND AGAIN! Throws short to Toomer, who makes the catch, breaks a tackle, makes a move, and picks up some good yardage.

I think the Bucs have 13 people on the line daring Eli to throw. - Nick. Troy Aikman agrees, more or less.

Eli is a goddamn machine to start the second quarter. Three straight completions, two first downs, standing strong under pressure. Are we sure that's not actually Peyton? Still not doing much with the running game, unfortunately. And Steve Smith drops what should have been four straight. Eli Manning is UNSTOPPABLE!

"It seems like the Buccaneers are daring Eli Manning to beat them." - Buck

Another completion, another first down...short pass to Jacobs, and the big man rumbles into the end zone. Touchdown, Giants!

Tampa Bay 7, New York 7

It's scary, but Eli looked very good on that series. This one isn't over just yet.

So Joe Buck's logic is basically: If the Giants can't run, and Eli can't pass, the Giants are in troubleamazing analysis. - sam

6 rushes = 1 yard for Brandon Jacobs. That's pathetic. - Signal to Noise

Did the Giants decide before the game that they wouldn't start playing until the second quarter?
"A big fourth down coming up here, fourth and long." - Buck - How is that a "big" fourth-down, again? Tampa Bay goes three-and-out again.

Ahmad Bradshaw in at running back for the Giants - Joe and Troy tell me it's because he gives them a better "burst" than Brandon Jacobs, but it hurts in pass protection. Eli to Burress for a first down, then again for nine yards. Bradshaw for no gain, back to the sidelines. 3rd-and-1, Manning goes over the middle to Steve Smith for 21 yards; Bradshaw splits to the right and catches one for about eight; 2nd-and-2, Jacobs back in, gets the handoff, barrels up the middle - touchdown, Giants.

New York 14, Tampa Bay 7

This thing has changed directions in a hurry.

The vaunted Tampa Two zone is being picked apart.Is anyone counting...how many Chucky faces have been shown? - The False Rumor Monger.

I may be wrong, but I don't think we've seen any. Haven't noticed a lot of coach shots so far.

Bucs pick up nine on two plays, big third-and-short upcoming...Garcia completes to Michael Pittman for a first down. That was huge - they couldn't afford another three-and-out. On first down, Garcia overthrows Graham, almost intercepted. Second down, he shovels it to Graham, who almost gets killed by two Giants.

Did anyone notice earlier that Buck and Aikman were being very complementary of Garcia and his ability to lead the Bucs? Yeah, well, that's pretty much over now. Aikman just said that he doesn't know how he's lasted so long in the league, because he takes so many shots - some of which are not the result of bad protection, but because he moves around in the pocket so much.

Jon Gruden nicknamed Ike Hilliard "Third-and-Ike". Okaaaaay.

Bucs at mid-field after a completion to Hilliard. We get to see Garcia's mastery of the Two Minute Drill. Incomplete to Galloway. Incomplete to Hilliard. All we get to see is Garcia's mastery of the Thirty-Second Drill, apparently.

You know what I hate? When receivers make the "throw the flag" hand motion whenever they don't make a catch. If the NFL wants to start penalizing players for THAT, I'd be 100% behind it.

New York takes possession and runs out the clock on the first half. We'll head into halftime and the second half thread with the score New York 14, Tampa Bay 7.