TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bucs Defense Back To Form Sunday

ADVERTISEMENT

Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 16, 2007

TAMPA - After a one-week hiatus, the Buccaneer defense returned to form Sunday and wasted little time announcing its cruel intentions.

The Falcons were limited to only 133 yards and failed to convert a third down in nine opportunities during a 37-3 setback that marked Tampa Bay's most lopsided victory under Coach Jon Gruden.

"It was a Buc football atmosphere and we responded," said defensive tackle Chris Hovan after Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South title for the third time in Gruden's six seasons. "Everywhere you look around this room, you see someone who's hungry."

The Bucs had been struggling with their third-down defense recently and Houston was 10-for-17 last week in a 28-14 triumph that snapped Tampa Bay's four-game winning streak.

Chris Redman, who threw for 298 yards against the Saints on Monday night, finished with a 0.0 passer rating as Atlanta managed just 27 net passing yards. Redman was intercepted twice in 15 pass attempts and the Bucs tied a franchise mark by allowing only four completions.

"It was good to see us bounce back like that today," said middle linebacker Barrett Ruud, who led the Bucs with eight tackles. "I know one thing - we weren't out there very long."

The 3-11 Falcons registered only 36 snaps during a blustery afternoon, the fewest plays from scrimmage by any Buc opponent in the 32-year history of the franchise..

"Our guys were ready to play," said defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who saw Pro Bowl cornerback Ronde Barber pick off a Redman pass intended for former Leto standout Michael Jenkins and return it 29 yards for a score only a minute into the rout.

"That's Ronde Barber for you," Kiffin said. "Big players step up in big games. It feels really good to win another NFC South title, I'll tell you that. The hat I put on at the end of last season didn't say 'Division champion.' ''

Atlanta managed only five first downs, one more than Tampa Bay's franchise record for fewest allowed, and the Bucs posted their largest victory margin since a 41-0 shutout against Chicago on Sept. 10, 2000.

That was 129 games ago.

In their 11 possessions, the Falcons punted six times, committed four giveaways and avoided a shutout on Morten Andersen's 33-yard field goal in the opening quarter.

Veteran safety Jermaine Phillips intercepted Redman in the third quarter and Tampa Bay's young guns up front joined in the festivities as rookie Gaines Adams posted a sack and strip and Greg White and Jovan Haye each recovered a fumble.

"Congratulations to the Bucs for winning a division title," said Falcons owner Arthur Blank. "Jon Gruden is an excellent coach, they know how to play well on defense and in Jeff Garcia they have a quarterback who doesn't make mistakes. They have a chance to go far in the playoffs."

Adams produced Tampa Bay's lone sack, but Redman found himself flushed out of the pocket repeatedly as he averaged a measly 1.7 yards per pass attempt. And after the first quarter, Atlanta maintained possession for only 9:26 of the final 45 minutes.

"Our crowd was awesome today and defensively, we feed off of that," Ruud said after the Bucs improved to 6-1 at Raymond James Stadium. "Now we know our first playoff game will be at home and playing in Tampa means a lot. You saw how we responded to all of that energy today."

-30-

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT