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Barber Interception, Touchdown Jumpstarted Team

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 17, 2007

TAMPA - The Bucs knew how important it would be to strike the first blow against Atlanta if it wanted to pull off a victory.

The Falcons had to deal with Michael Vick being sentenced to prison for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy and coach Bobby Petrino quitting last week. All the Tampa Bay had to do was apply the initial pressure to make Atlanta crumble, and cornerback Ronde Barber rose to the challenge.

Barber intercepted Atlanta quarterback Chris Redman on the third play of the game and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. It proved to be the jumpstart Tampa Bay needed en route to its 37-3 victory against Atlanta to become NFC South champions.

"It was very big," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said. "The wind was a real factor today throwing the football. They chose today to come out throwing it. Ronde made an opportunistic play that you expect him to make in games like this.

"He shows up big in big games. I was really happy for him."

Barber's interception is the 33rd of his career, tying him with Baltimore's Ed Reed for the most with a current team. He also is tied with Minnesota S Darren Sharper for first among active players for most career touchdowns on fumble/interception returns with 10. Barber also recorded the 12th career touchdown by a defensive player in team history, and seventh INT returned for a score during his career.

More importantly to Barber, he contributed to the victory.

"We always talk about starting fast. It always something we want to do. Couple that with Micheal Spurlock's kickoff return a few minutes later, we started early and I think everybody fed off that," Barber said. "We didn't have any idea what they were going to do. We knew they were going to be out of the box somewhat because of their coaching situation. I don't know how much they even game-planned for us."

GRAHAM RUNS TO RECORD: Bucs RB Earnest Graham had the perfect situation to lead Tampa Bay's running attack.

Tampa Bay took a 14-3 lead midway through the first quarter and Graham knew his team would be content to pound away on the ground, an ideal situation for any running back.

Graham responded by rushing 22 times for 79 yards and one touchdown in Tampa Bay's victory. He has scored a touchdown in six consecutive games, setting a team record for most consecutive games with a touchdown. Errict Rhett, Reggie Cobb and Gary Anderson are tied with five.

FALCONS SOARING LOW: Tampa Bay fans may not like Atlanta, but they still have a soft spot for Falcons RB Warrick Dunn, a former Buc.

Dunn and his team endured the Vick sentencing and Petrino exit, which was too tough for his team to overcome.

"It's just been an emotional week with everything that has happened and to try to come out and play a game, I could tell you it was tough," Dunn said. "We were always supporting each other, we were definitely supporting each other and tried to go out with a clear mind, just go out, have fun and play the game."

BUCS BITS: Tampa Bay claimed the sixth division title in team history and currently is 5-0 in the division. ... Gruden is tied for second among active coaches with five division titles since 2000. New England coach Bill Belichick is tops with six titles (including this season). ... Bucs DE Jovan Haye recovered his fourth fumble of the season. The team record for most fumble recoveries is five and set by Bill Kollar in 1979. ... Bucs DE Greg White caused his seventh fumble this season, tying a team record held by Broderick Thomas (1991) and Wally Chambers (1979). ... Tampa Bay's running game generated a season-high 190 yards.

Anwar S. Richardson

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