Most weeks during an NFL season follow a very specific and unbending schedule.  Monday is for review of the previous day’s game and, in terms of physical work, some light running at the most.  Tuesday is a player’s day off and a coach’s day to game plan for the next opponent.  Wednesday and Thursday are for game plan installation, both on the field and in the classroom.  Friday and Saturday are for review, and it all culminates in the game on Sunday.

Things are a little different following a bye week, however, which Buccaneer players will find out next week, beginning on Monday.  Because there will be no Sunday game to review, and because the players will be coming off four consecutive days off, Monday will be what is often called a “bonus” day.  The team will conduct what is essentially an extra practice in preparation for the following Sunday’s home game against the Chiefs.

The rest of the week will continue in the normal vain, but it’s that extra Monday work that could provide the Bucs with a little bit of an advantage.  The team used its two extra practices this week mostly to work on fundamentals and self-scouting.  However, the days off for the players didn’t mean the coaches were also lounging around from Thursday to Sunday.  They will be able to provide the players with the game plan for the Chiefs earlier than usual.

The bye week only comes along once a year.  Hopefully the Bucs can use it to gain some advantage over their opponent in the coming days.