Yes, this loss was painful. However I'd say less painful than allowing the Eagles to win on the last play of the game or not being able to finish off the Falcons.

This is a young team. At the beginning of the season if I told you the Buccaneers would win 6 games you'd probably thought that was about the best they could accomplish. Josh Freeman is struggling. That's the product of a huge let down last week. He wasn't the only one, he's just the most visible. Fans are so fickle, and frankly it is a good thing they don't run the team.

Here are the facts.

The drafting over the past three years has been outstanding.

The coaching until this year has been suspect

If we hadn't lost our two starting (ALL-PRO) guards, we'd be in the thick of the playoff race.

Freeman at 24 hasn't even gotten close to his prime years. Give him some consistency with the offense and he'll get better.

Freeman will never be Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Peyton Manning. Get used to it.

We need cornerbacks. As much as it hurts knowing we let the best rooking CB go by us, getting Mark Barron and LaVonte David this year eases that pain.

This is a rebuilding year. Please remember that. This team doesn't belong in the playoffs.

Enjoy the season and remember, it is only a game.

Go Bucs!