Now that we stuffed our bellies full of turkey, subjected to three “quality games” of football and survived the long hours of wait for Black Friday, let us be thankful of the guys who are making this (so far) successful season.

Now it would not do them justice to rank them one over each other, as each played an intricate part.  Each showed the game-breaking plays and leadership qualities to help lead the Buccaneers to their 8-3 record and the lead of the NFC South.

Derrick Brooks:  Some of you might remember the commercial he did a number of years ago with the United Way.  He asked the children on the school bus if they wanted to sing his favorite song.  He asked only in a way that an NFL linebacker could. “Who’s our favorite player?  Mr. Derrick Brooks.”

The 10-time Pro Bowler almost deserves a spot by default, but the 14-year veteran’s greatest accomplishment so far is that he still has not shown any signs of slowing down.  In a career where he averages well over 100 tackles per season, this year, he is still second on the team with 49 total tackles, four tackles for a loss (leads the team), five passes defended (shares lead with Ruud and Barber) and one interception. 

Barrett Ruud: The emergence of this four-year veteran can best serve as an example of the chemistry of the defense.  Ruud may end up having the torched passed on to him after Brooks’ tenure ends.  Since his breakthrough season last year, Ruud emerges again leading the team in tackles almost on pace of doubling up Brooks’ production with 89 tackles and three sacks.

This year, he already matched his two interceptions from last year.  If he keeps his production up in the on-coming years, who knows?  He may yet on his way to exceed Buccaneer legend Hardy Nickerson with apologies to Shelton Quarles.

Jeff Garcia:  Let’s be honest here.  It is hard to identify a quarterback with the franchise.  It does not matter who the coach is.  There are so many intangibles to work.  Nothing ever really panned out in the history of this franchise.  Before Garcia, I can only name two such names that pass such a test: Doug Williams and Brad Johnson. 

As a Buccaneer fan, you kind of had to endure a lot. Quarterbacks like Trent Dilfer, Casey Weldon, Vinny Testaverde, Steve DeBerg, Rob Johnson, Chris Simms all had their share of problems, some not necessarily their fault.  It would diminish the efforts of Garcia if I went over all of them and that will be for another day.

What Garcia means to the franchise is the most important intangible of them all, playing in the clutch.  He can lead your team down the field, call an audible and run when he needs to.  Some say he holds on the ball too long, but I attribute more to the discrimination with his age.  That stigma will always be with him as long as he keeps playing. 

Kurt Warner, Brett Favre and Jeff Garcia are all defying their critics.  Warner’s on his way to lead the Cardinals (in spite of their lackluster effort on Thanksgiving) to a division title.  Brett Favre controls the Jets destiny in a division annually owned by the Patriots.  Garcia is currently on pace to successfully lead to a successful division title defense and to a probable bye.  Garcia has a 94.5 rating.  Note to management: Pay the man now and don’t attempt to rent out another “franchise” QB in Donovan McNabb or another castoff in the offseason.   

Warrick Dunn: In the Dungy era, Dunn and Mike Alstott defined the offense.  When Gruden came in to replace Dungy as head coach, Dunn went to Atlanta and enjoyed a proportionate amount of success there.  Now Dunn is home replacing the tank known as Michael Pittman.  Pittman was not the smartest of runners, but he ran hard.

In his return to the Buccaneers, the 12-year veteran shared the load with starter Earnest Graham.  Since Graham’s injury sent him to the injured reserve, Dunn’s picked up where he left off.  He’s rushed for 566 yards on 123 carries averaging 4.6 yards per carry.  In 10 games, his 31 receptions almost matched up his reception total from Atlanta last year with 37.  Dunn also exceeded his reception yards from last year by six.  Don’t expect Dunn to slow down any time soon with Cadillac Williams looking to increase his load.

Clifton Smith:  Not much to say about the man, but the rookie may yet develop in time to be a productive back in the future.  Right now he may yet emerge as the special teams threat for years to come.  I am by no means dubbing him the next Devin Hester, but he has already run both a kickoff and a punt return for a touchdown, which is more than what any current and former Buccaneer coach can ask for from their return man. 

He could very well be the X-factor in a pivotal playoff or playoff-shaping game.