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Bucs Have Playoff Mind-Set

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

TAMPA - The Bucs have had chances to take a commanding, if not insurmountable, lead in the NFC South race, but they wasted them, losing at Detroit and at home to Jacksonville.

As hard as it might be, they can't afford to look back or think of what might have been. Their best bet is to look forward. That's the point running backs coach Art Valero tried to drive home this week.

"We've got seven games left and Art told us it's like the World Series - a best of seven," CB Ronde Barber said. "The best team is going to come out of it as the champion, so we just have to make sure we're that team."

A unique approach to the final seven games is how the Bucs will go about heeding Valero's advice. Though the playoffs don't officially start until January, the Bucs intend to play as if they're already in the postseason.

"It's separation time," DE Kevin Carter said. "The next four or five games will tell the tale of the season for everyone. If you can win three or four of these, it can really change your year."

The Falcons are trying to change their year. They've won two straight and are confident about their chances of getting back into the title chase, knowing a victory Sunday against the Bucs will get them to within a game of the leader.

"It's unfortunate that's the case, but it is what it is," WR Joey Galloway said. "We're not where we want to be but we are in a pretty good spot. What we have to do is make sure Atlanta doesn't come out of this game in a better spot."

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW: Like a lot of his teammates, rookie DE Greg White spent the bye week nursing a nagging physical problem. Unlike a lot of his teammates, White's problem required more than rest and rehabilitation.

Correcting poor vision often requires surgery so White spent the bye week getting Lasik surgery. He said the procedure was painless but a little discomforting.

"But I'm seeing 20-15 now or whatever it is," White said. "All I know for sure is my vision is a lot better than it was a week or two ago."

White has been wearing a tinted visor in practice to protect his eyes. He said he plans to continue wearing the visor during games, at least for the time being.

INJURY UPDATE: There's still no guarantee RB Michael Pittman and WR Michael Clayton will be back in the lineup this week. Bucs coach Jon Gruden listed both as questionable on the official injury report Friday, meaning both have a 50 percent chance of playing. FB B.J. Askew (ankle) and OT Jeremy Trueblood (shoulder) are questionable as well. TE Alex Smith (ankle) and WR Ike Hilliard (calf) were listed as probable.

Roy Cummings

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