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Aggressive Play Has Bucs' D Ranked 5th

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2007

TAMPA - The main reason Tampa Bay struggled last season was because of its poor defensive play, which could explain why the Bucs are 3-1.

Tampa Bay finished with the 17th-ranked overall defense in the NFL last year, breaking a streak of 10 consecutive seasons of being ranked 11th or better. The Bucs defense was ranked No. 1 in 2002 and 2005 during that stretch.

This year's version of Tampa Bay's defense has many new faces, but the results are just like old times.

The Bucs are currently ranked fifth overall in the NFL (sixth against the pass and 20th against the rush), which is a dramatic improvement from its struggles last season.

'We're playing aggressive. We have a great effort and we're playing together,' LB Cato June said. 'We're not making many mistakes. We're hitting and running; getting a good push from our defensive line. We're just playing together.

'We worked hard in the offseason. We have great leaders. It's not a surprise to me. We expect to be great. When you have an expectation to be great, anything less than that is going to be disappointing.'

After Tampa Bay lost its season opener against Seattle, the defense has shut down New Orleans, St. Louis and Carolina. During that stretch, Tampa Bay has recorded three consecutive first-half shutouts. The last time Tampa Bay recorded three first-half shutouts were the final three games of the 1998 season against Buffalo (won 10-5), New England (lost 10-7) and Detroit (won 21-10).

Despite Tampa Bay's great statistical start, Coach Jon Gruden was not overcome with emotion during Monday's news conference when asked to address those standings.

'Not to be disrespectful to you, but I hate stats. The NFL Network, ESPN and all that stuff,' Gruden said. 'Fifth in the league, fifth in yards allowed - we want to win games. And to do that we have to play very good defense, team defense.

'We have to stop the run, we have to get some three-and-outs and we have to generate turnovers. And we certainly need to do that at a high level against the Colts. Fifth or 14th in yards allowed, I could care less. I just want our defense to play like they're playing - physical, fast, opportunistic, and if they do that we'll have a chance.'

CHUKWURAH HAPPY TO CONTRIBUTE: Tampa Bay lost two key players this season because of injuries, but regained a valuable member of its defensive line Sunday.

DE Patrick Chukwurah returned after tearing his MCL in Tampa Bay's preseason game against Miami on Aug. 25. Chukwurah's impact was immediate as he recorded a sack and hurried Carolina QB David Carr twice.

'I can't be nothing but happy. Things happen. Every day, every game, every week,' Chukwurah said. 'I am blessed that mine wasn't a bad injury. I can't complain. I came back.'

Chukwurah said he is not 100 percent and is still undergoing rehab, but Gruden was pleased with his performance.

'He gave us speed. He gives us another creative rusher,' Gruden said. 'He can play on special teams and can give us another weapon there. He's not truly 100 percent yet, but he gives us another talented athlete that we can use creatively in the pass rush.'

ROOM AT THE TOP: Area sports fans have talked more about the success of the University of South Florida football program than Tampa Bay's surprising start, which does not bother Gruden.

During Monday's news conference, Gruden praised the work USF coach Jim Leavitt has done to build that program to its current No. 6 ranking in The Associated Press poll.

'The job Jim Leavitt has done, and his coaching staff and the athletic director, the vision at USF is unbelievable. I mean, it is unbelievable,' Gruden said.

Anwar S. Richardson

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