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Bucs Secondary Ready For A Test

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 1, 2007

TAMPA - Be careful what you wish for.

After two weeks of relative inactivity, Tampa Bay's stingy secondary faces a powerful challenge Sunday when Arizona WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin visit Raymond James Stadium for the first time.

'You could look at it as a tough assignment - we look at it as an opportunity to show what we can do,' said Bucs secondary coach Raheem Morris. 'Ronde Barber and Phillip Buchanon have been begging for opportunities.'

The Lions and Jaguars combined for 36 pass attempts against the Bucs in the past two games. With QB Kurt Warner showing flashes of his old Pro Bowl form, the Cardinals have the means to test the NFC's No. 1 pass defense.

'We're not backing down from this opportunity,' said rookie S Tanard Jackson, who has quickly developed a reputation as a big hitter. 'Fitzgerald is a little more of a finesse receiver who goes up and plays the ball well in the air. With Boldin, you have to worry about yards after the catch. He's a little more physical at the line of scrimmage.'

Fitzgerald leads the NFC with 642 receiving yards and he's tied with Torry Holt of the Rams for the NFC's top spot with 46 catches. Boldin, who missed three games with a hip injury, needs 80 yards to reach 5,000 for his career.

If he reaches that plateau Sunday, Boldin will have needed only 61 games, matching Jerry Rice as the fourth-quickest WR in NFL history to reach the career milestone.

'Fitzgerald is Randy Moss-like and Boldin is a quick, tough, physical wideout who can hurt you,' said Morris. 'We look forward to the challenge.'

INJURY UPDATE: DE Greg Spires (calf) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, while seven other Bucs were limited, including WR Michael Clayton (ankle), CB Brian Kelly (groin), TE Alex Smith (ankle) and RB Michael Pittman (ankle).

LB Karlos Dansby (knee) was the only Cardinal to miss practice.

Coach Jon Gruden said the bye week looming ahead won't be a factor in evaluating when players are cleared to return.

'We're not going to save anybody,' he said. 'When they're ready to go, they'll go. Brian Kelly's been working hard to get back and as soon as he's ready, we'll play him. The same goes for our other injured guys.'

GROWTH SPURT: In his fourth NFL season, former FSU standout Darnell Dockett has emerged as one of the league's best young defensive tackles.

Dockett has been a disruptive force inside, posting six sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery during Arizona's 3-4 start. He leads the club with six quarterback hits and tops Arizona's defensive line with 34 tackles.

'He's a key part of their defense,' Gruden said. 'They do an excellent job with their pressure package. Dockett is the guy at the end of the day that's special.'

Dockett, tied with Chicago's Tommie Harris for the NFL sack lead among interior linemen, has already matched his sack production for his first three pro seasons combined.

He'll line up predominantly against rookie LG Arron Sears on Sunday, but Dockett has the freedom to rush from anywhere in the trenches.

'The role we've asked him to play in this defense - penetrate, move around and hit the gaps - suits his skill set very well,' said rookie coach Ken Whisenhunt. 'Darnell has gotten a lot of confidence from what we've asked him to do.'

BUC BITS: CB Torrie Cox (knee) became the 12th Buc to be placed on injured reserve this season. Tampa Bay also released WR Chad Lucas, signed WR Chas Gessner to the active roster, signed CB Darrell Hunter to the practice squad and released WR Derrick Hamilton from the practice squad. ... Gruden declined to comment on WR Mike Williams, the former Plant and USC star who was released by the Raiders. ...The Cardinals boast the stingiest first-down defense in the league, yielding an average of 4.54 yards. ... Arizona has been outscored 30-6 in the opening quarter, and the Cardinals lead the league in penalties (59) and penalty yardage (495).

Ira Kaufman

Bucs statistics, Page 13

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