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Remaining Games Are Still Important

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 21, 2007

TAMPA - The Bucs' game this weekend against San Francisco is not one many outside the Tampa Bay locker room can get excited about.

The Bucs are NFC South champions with two games remaining this season. Tampa Bay cannot finish any higher than third in the NFC, meaning the Bucs will host Round 1 of the playoffs and travel in the second round if they win.

Tampa Bay's game against San Francisco originally was slated to be a prime-time game, but was moved to late afternoon because it lacked anticipation. It is hard to get excited about a Jeff Garcia vs. Shaun Hill quarterback matchup.

Although Tampa Bay's game seems to lack meaning, Bucs players still believe this contest has importance.

"It's a matter of professionalism. It's a matter of pride, and more than anything, why not be excited?," Bucs DE Kevin Carter said. "We're going into the playoffs. Who wants to go into the playoffs on a low note and not playing your best football?

"One thing about the league and perception, perception is largely reality in this sport. It's important for us to go out and play good football. Right now we perceive ourselves as being able to beat anybody, and if we feel that way, we need to go out there and beat people. Superman doesn't fly in and conveniently lose because it doesn't make a difference trying to save the universe. No, he expects to win. That's what we have to go out there and do."

Tampa Bay is optimistic to fly into the playoffs on a winning streak. None of the players want to lose against San Francisco or Carolina before the postseason.

Instead, they are hoping to heat up heading into the postseason, and even this game does not hold national interest, Tampa Bay deems its San Francisco trip very important.

"We want to build some momentum going into the playoffs," Bucs DT Jovan Haye said. "We don't want to go in there 1-1 or on a two-game losing streak. You want momentum for later on in the time in December and January and fuel the fire for the playoffs."

CLOSING IN ON 1,000: Bucs RB Earnest Graham may have been Tampa Bay's third choice, but he is close to proving why he is their best choice.

Graham can become the first player to rush for more than 1,000 yards since Cadillac Williams had 290 carries for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns in 2005.

So far, Graham has rushed 213 times for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has set the team record for consecutive games with a TD (six), and his rushing yards total is sixth in the NFC.

"It couldn't happen to a better guy than Earnest Graham," Bucs C John Wade said. He's another hard-working guy, doesn't say much, doesn't need to say much. He just goes out there and performs.

"He's a great guy to go out there and fight with. We've got two weeks to get it done, so hopefully we can help him achieve that."

Graham is 123 yards short of 1,000 and should break that mark before the season ends, and he remains Tampa Bay's most pleasant surprise since Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury against Carolina on Sept. 30.

"It's obviously a great feat to get 1,000 yards," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "He's accomplished a lot of great things already for us. We're going to concentrate on winning games, and Earnest will have a lot say if we do or not."

MOVING AHEAD ONE DAY: Tampa Bay DE Greg White has exceeded everyone's expectations by recording eight sacks and seven forced fumbles this season, but few realize he has done it off the bench.

White is still not a starter despite having the best season for a Bucs defensive lineman since Simeon Rice recorded 14 sacks in 2005, but Gruden did not rule out the possibility of eventually elevating his new standout.

"You can't deny that right now he's real good in situations. That starting White might be part of the program down the road. Who knows?," Gruden said. "We have Kevin Carter, who has done some good things for us, and hopefully Greg Spires can return. Now remember, we're taking steps with Greg White and he's taken what he's been given and done a good job with it."

INJURY REPORT: DE Patrick Chukwurah (hamstring) and LB Ryan Nece (groin) did not participate in practice, FB B.J. Askew (ankle) was limited, while WR Joey Galloway fully participated.

Anwar S. Richardson

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