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O-Line Disappointed With Performance

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2007

TAMPA - When QB Jeff Garcia left Sunday's game against Washington with a lower back bruise, the Bucs' offensive line knew it had to protect backup Bruce Gradkowski and open holes for RB Earnest Graham.

After not being able to produce a first down in the second half, as well as seeing Graham's two-game streak of rushing for more than 100 yards snapped, nobody on the line was happy about their performance.

The offensive linemen also believe they will have to play better to defeat New Orleans on Sunday in what is shaping up to be the Bucs' most important game this season. The kickoff was moved to 4:15 p.m. so the game could be televised to a larger audience than would have been available at 1 p.m.

"There were a couple of times in the first half when we got some runs going, but overall it was bad for our group," C John Wade said. "I don't have enough explicit words to say about how outstanding the defense was, but that's not going to happen in our favor all the time, especially playing like that.

"We can do better. We have to be happy we won the game, but critical so we can fix it. New Orleans doesn't care what we did this week. It's going to be a dogfight at their house and that is what we have to get zeroed in on."

The Bucs had possession for only 2:34 of the third quarter compared to the Redskins' 12:26, and 2:40 in the fourth quarter compared to 12:20.

"We have to be honest," RG Davin Joseph said. "We got our seventh win, but we still have to play good on the road and improve with these final games coming up."

SMITH KNEW ROLE: When Garcia left Sunday's game, TE Alex Smith knew his responsibilities would increase. With Washington challenging Gradkowski to throw, and with the second-year quarterback struggling to pass, the only remaining option was finding a tight end over the middle. Smith responded with three receptions for 41 yards, and his safety-valve role could increase if Garcia is unable to play Sunday.

"It's not like I did anything different," Smith said. "We knew from the defenses they were playing that the tight end was going to be open a lot in those intermediate routes. I just tried to get open as quickly as I could and quickly get off the ball."

STOVALL IS SPECIAL: WR Maurice Stovall may not catch a lot of passes, but he has grabbed everyone's attention lately with his play on special teams.

Stovall had two tackles on special teams Sunday and continues to excel with special-teams standout Torrie Cox out for the season.

"Well, he's a great athlete. He has the size and strength advantage most of the time," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "If you look at Maurice, he's 6-4 and 214 or 218 pounds. He's uncharacteristically big for a guy that plays that position. He's relentless, and he does have change of direction and the ability to run.

"I think that combination has worked for him. But he's made some splash plays out there and really helped us the last few weeks."

Stovall's play arguably has helped P Josh Bidwell more than anyone. Bidwell is averaging 36.9 yards per punt this season, eighth in the NFL. His 61-yard punt early in the fourth quarter on Sunday - and Stovall's quick tackle of Keenan McCardell after a 2-yard gain - pinned Washington at its 9-yard line.

"It's fun when I run down after making a big play and he's smiling just as big as I am. He's having fun out there," Bidwell said. "He really studies the game. He works hard. He's a lot faster than I thought he was. He's been double-teamed, and was even triple-teamed on the last punt.

"Not to take anything away from the other guys, but Mo is a benefit of those other guys keeping their lane and redirecting the returner. It's fun from my angle, 60 yards back, to watch all those guys lined up, and then see Mo register a shot."

BRYANT A FINALIST: K Matt Bryant has been named the Bucs' 2007 Man of the Year for his work on and off the field, which qualifies him for this year's NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Bryant was awarded $1,000 to give to the March of Dimes Florida Bay Division, the nonprofit organization of his choice.

Each NFL team selects a local Man of the Year finalist to be eligible to receive the national award. The 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner will be selected by a blue ribbon panel and recognized during Super Bowl week in Arizona. The national winner also will receive a $25,000 donation to the nonprofit organization of his choice.

PLAYOFF TICKETS: Season-ticket holders received an e-mail Monday with information and ticket invoices regarding possible home playoff games available for payment online at Buccaneers.com. Full payment for those playoff ticket packages - which include two games - must be received by Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. The Raymond James Stadium box office also will be accepting payments Dec. 6-7 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Anwar S. Richardson

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