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Playoff Berth Won't Change Bucs' Routine

TBO.com

Published: December 17, 2007

Although the Bucs have clinched a playoff berth and seemingly have little to play for in the next two weeks, Bucs coach Jon Gruden said he won't make any wholesale lineup changes in order to rest his starters.

Other than taking a player's health into account, and getting some younger players more involved, Gruden said the Bucs will keep their normal practice routine and not make any drastic lineup changes.

''I could use a day off,'' Gruden said, smiling, during his postgame news conference today. ''The problem is unlike college football or the preseasosn games, you don't have the nucleus on your roster to do that. You're only alllowed to have 47 guys active and to rest a guy, you better have enough bodies that can go in and perform. That's the challenge in the NFL in Weeks 15 and 16.

''But we do have an opportunity in the next couple of games to consider looking at some other combinations and getting some guys some plays off, but we're still playing for something, and we want to continue to get better. Some of these young guys need to play to get ready for the playoffs.''

DAY LATER, JUST AS EXCITING: Micheal Spurlock's history-making kickoff return was even better the second time around - and the third, and the fourth ...

Gruden admitted to hitting the rewind button, one day after Spurlock's 90-yard return ended a streak of 1,864 consecutive kickoffs without a TD.

''We watched it a few times this morning,'' Bucs coach Jon Gruden said, smiling. ''It was a great play and and great accomplishmnt to get that off Santa's wish list.''

He also had a bit of advice for fans who may have missed the big play.

''For all the fans that were in the bathroom at that time - I know a lot of fans go to the bathroom when our kickoff return team gets out there because they're not expecting that - stay in your seats next time.''

INJURY UPDATE: Gruden said defensive end Greg Spires, out since Week 9 with a calf injury, likely will return for Sunday's game against San Francisco. However, linebacker Patrick Chukwurah suffered a hamstring injury and may be out this week.

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