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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 26, 2007

Sunday's Best

It was only a year ago that Bucs DE Greg White was working security at Best Buy, but he now is helping Tampa Bay move closer to locking up a playoff spot.

White led Tampa Bay's defensive line by forcing two fumbles, recovered a fumble and added one sack during the Bucs' 19-13 victory against Washington.

Garcia's Return Is Memorable

When Bucs QB Jeff Garcia returned with 11:13 remaining after suffering a back injury and leaving the game during the game's opening series, it gave Tampa Bay the necessary inspiration to hold on to its lead and pull off a win.

Although Garcia's comeback may have been the most memorable reappearance in Bucs history, it will not be enough to be remembered historically even if his toughness was very impressive.

Here are a few more memorable injury comebacks:

Willis Reed - Knicks center recovered from a severe thigh injury and inspired team to Game 7 victory against the Lakers in 1970.

Kirk Gibson - Despite an injured leg, hit the winning home run in Game 1 that inspired the Dodgers to a World Series title against the Oakland A's in 1988.

Michael Jordan - Even with a fever and dehydration from a stomach virus, he scored 38 points as the Bulls won Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against Utah.

Curt Schilling - Won Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees while pitching on an injured ankle, which soaked his white sock with blood, plus won Game 2 of the World Series, again bloodying his sock.
Team Stat
Whenever Tampa Bay generates more turnovers than it gives away, the Bucs usually find a way to pull off a victory. Sunday's game was a prime example.

The Bucs created six turnovers and only had one. Washington had four fumbles - two by RB Clinton Portis, plus drops by WR Santana Moss and QB Jason Campbell. In addition, Campbell threw two interceptions.

By The Numbers

0 - first downs for Tampa Bay in the second half

1 - third-down conversion by Tampa Bay against Washington

5 - receptions and 43 yards by Washington WR Reche Caldwell (former Jefferson High standout)

9 - completions by Bruce Gradkowski for 106 yards

23 - first downs by Washington

34:53 - Washington's time of possession vs. Tampa Bay's 25:07 (only 2:40 in the fourth quarter).

42 - average punting yards by Tampa Bay's Josh Bidwell

60 - receiving yards on six receptions by former Buc Keenan McCardell

412 - offensive yards by Washington

Casual Friday

Only a few Bucs loyalists would have predicted Tampa Bay would be in the middle of a playoff run prior to this season. At 7-4 and with five games remaining, playing in January has become a realistic possibility.

It also means as you look for a Bucs jersey to wear this Friday, just know throwing on that old No. 99 jersey is fashionably unacceptable.

Here are the players' jerseys that can be worn with pride this week:

7 - Jeff Garcia (has earned everybody's respect for toughness)

34 - Earnest Graham (has scored in three consecutive games)

20 - Ronde Barber (had one interception and three passes defended)

55 - Derrick Brooks (ageless wonder had a team-high 12 tackles)

91 - Greg White (having the biggest impact on defense)

Locker Room Talk

•"This is a great organization and I'm grateful for all the support I've gotten since this has happened." - Bucs LB Cato June, starting on Sunday after being arrested for DUI a week ago today

•"Probably the first half I was a little jacked up. A little too jacked up. I settled down and just played football. I spent a better amount of my time here. I won a Super Bowl here. I enjoy the fans here, but I can't really be amped up." - McCardell

•"We need Jeff, we need Cadillac Williams back, we need Luke Petitgout, we need everybody that is not here. Mark Jones. You can go down the list. Unfortunately, Jeff went down for a second. He tried to get back in it at the end, which is a testament about his will, wanting to win and be a part of it, but at the end of the day, hopefully he is relatively healthy going into next week." - Bucs WR Ike Hilliard

•"Coach made a decision for us to go for it on fourth down and as players that is a situation where we have to beat it. You have to get the first down. Take nothing away from the Bucs; they did a great job of stopping the play. If we get that first down, the game shapes up differently. If we kick a field goal, it shapes up differently." - Washington QB Jason Campbell

•"When they say leave it all out there, that's definitely what we did today. Everybody dug deep, but everybody got the job done. We came up with the win and that's all that matters for us." - Bucs S Jermaine Phillips

Anwar S. Richardson

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