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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2007

Updated: 12/30/2007 10:33 pm

Sunday's Best

Strong and powerful runners have given Tampa Bay fits all season, and Carolina's DeAngelo Williams was no exception in the regular-season finale.

Williams rushed 20 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns in Carolina's 31-23 victory. However, it is only the fourth time this season an individual runner has gained more than 100 yards against Tampa Bay.

The others were Seattle's Shaun Alexander (105), St. Louis' Stephen Jackson (115) and Indianapolis' Kenton Keith (121).

It Has Been A Long Career

Carolina QB Vinny Testaverde has officially retired --again - after 21 seasons in the NFL.

Testaverde's career began in Tampa as a No. 1 draft pick from the University of Miami in 1987. To understand how long ago that was, here are some noteworthy items from that year:

•Ronald Reagan was President.

•"Walk Like An Egyptian" by The Bangles topped the pop music charts.

•Televangelist Jim Bakker, head of PTL Ministries, resigned after admitting an affair with church secretary Jessica Hahn.

•The Simpsons first aired on "The Tracy Ullman Show."

•The Minnesota Twins won the World Series.

•There was the Iran-Contra affair.

•WrestleMania III was held at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan.

•"3 Men and a Baby," with Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson, was the top grossing movie of that year

Team Stat

Tampa Bay's offensive line has struggled the past two weeks, giving up four sacks against Carolina and eight in the past two games.

By The Numbers

1 - snap taken by Vinny Testaverde

3 - losses for Tampa Bay in its last four games

8 - tackles by Tampa Bay LB Jeremiah Trotter

33 - percent of third downs completed by Tampa Bay (four of 12).

41 - kickoff return yards on two attempts for Micheal Spurlock.

47 - yards by Bucs leading rusher Luke McCown.

48 - receiving yards off four catches for Carolina WR Steve Smith.

60 - receiving yards off five catches for Bucs WR Michael Clayton.

Casual Friday

Many people recently received holiday gift cards, and for those Bucs fans who actually wore Keyshawn Johnson and Warrick Dunn jerseys to Sunday's game, you must turn the page and update your sports wardrobe.

Considering the aforementioned players have not been in a Bucs uniform for years, here are the jerseys worth wearing to work on casual Friday before Tampa Bay's playoff game:

7 - Jeff Garcia, undoubtedly the team MVP and reason for this year's turnaround.

20 - Ronde Barber, one of a few old school jerseys worth wearing.

34 - Earnest Graham, currently Tampa Bay's best running back.

55 - Derrick Brooks, the other old school jersey worth wearing.

84 - Joey Galloway, a talented football player and smoothie maker.

91 - Greg White, arguably Tampa Bay's most valuable defensive player.

Locker Room Talk

•"We can't worry about this game. Who we beat. Who beat us. Who we played. All that that stuff doesn't matter. Right now, we're in a single elimination tournament. The only thing that matters is who the best team is on game day. Nobody is going to say a word if we win." - Bucs DE Kevin Carter

•"No. There are no concerns about that. Obviously, we know the situation next week. We got some young guys some valuable playing experience, and myself in this new defense, and next week we'll have our old players back up and ready to roll." - Bucs LB Jeremiah Trotter

•"I'll tell you, I am very eager, obviously, to get going here in the playoffs. I thought our coaches and players did a great job in preparing for today's game. This was a big game for a lot of guys who got a chance to really get their first time on the field as Buccaneers. Ken Darby, you've seen him playing, and obviously a lot of guys. Our guys prepared well, and at times performed very well against a team we have a lot of respect for." - Bucs coach Jon Gruden

•"I think it only affects us if you allow it to. I think Gruden is going to stay on us and we're going to have a great week of practice and be ready to play. It's only going to be a story if we don't get it done next week." - Bucs TE Jerramy Stevens

•"You're not always going to win, but when you leave the field you want your opponent to say that was a heck of a team. I think we accomplished that. I think that when the Giants see us on tape, they're going to respect us for what we put down. It's not even our starters out there and it's a lot of credit due to the guys on this football team putting together a package, going out and competing for 60 minutes." - Clayton

•"If you can't get up to play a playoff game, you don't need to be in this league. This is what you play for. A playoff game. We will be fine." - Bucs WR Chad Lucas

Anwar S. Richardson

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