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Bucs' Adams To Start Opener

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 3, 2007

TAMPA - There is no turning back for Tampa Bay rookie defensive end Gaines Adams - or the Bucs.

Adams will start his first professional football game Sunday when Tampa Bay travels to play Seattle at 4:15 p.m. in the season opener.

"He's got to be [ready]. He's got to go," Bucs defensive line/assistant head coach Larry Coyer said. "He's worked hard. Time to go play now."

Adams has received this opportunity largely because Tampa Bay learned that starting defensive end Patrick Chukwurah will be out three to six weeks because of an MCL tear in his right knee. Chukwurah sustained his injury during a preseason game against Miami two weeks ago.

"I really don't know the actual degree. … I did tear it. I know they have different grades," Chukwurah. "I'm taking it day by day, but it could take anywhere from three to six weeks. Sometimes it could be faster. I want to be back for the home opener [against New Orleans on Sept. 16]. We'll see how it goes."

How well Adams, Tampa Bay's No. 1 draft pick, will perform on Sunday is uncertain.

Adams (6-foot-5, 258 pounds) played well in four preseason games, disrupting several plays with his speed and athleticism. He finished with nine tackles (eight solo), two sacks and one forced fumble.

Although Adams is showing flashes of potential, he must go against Seattle left tackle Walter Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowl player who is considered one of the premier offensive linemen in the NFL. Jones (6-foot-5, 325 pounds) rested most of this preseason while recovering from offseason surgery to repair his left shoulder, but he will be ready to start against Tampa Bay.

"He's one of the best in the league. I'm not downgrading any other tackle in the league," Adams said. "They say he's one of the best, and therefore I'm going to go out there and prepare myself for him."

Adams will need to establish a pass rush and disrupt the rhythm of Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, but more importantly, he will have to find a way to slow down running back Shaun Alexander.

Last season, Alexander rushed for 896 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games despite suffering a broken foot in the season opener. It is safe to assume Seattle will run at Adams and he will have to bounce off Jones' blocks to tackle Alexander.

If Adams can handle his assignment, Tampa Bay can keep Seattle's offense honest, but if he struggles, the Bucs linebackers will be forced to help him, which could open up Seattle's passing game.

"No matter if he starts or plays, as long as he's in, he has a job to do, and we expect him to do it to the best of his ability," Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks said.

Tampa Bay has believed in Adams' potential since the day it signed him and released three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Simeon Rice.

Rice entered training camp with 121 career sacks and 584 tackles, but he was released after failing a physical because of his slow recovery from shoulder surgery.

Even though Adams has played well, the biggest knock against him has been that he plays harder during games than in practice. Last week, Adams explained that he was still learning Tampa Bay's system, but game days seemed to be easier than practice.

Now this week's game day and practice have both become important for Adams.

"I'm making steps. I'm not going to say I made some humongous steps, but I made some steps to get better," Adams said. "There are challenges every day in football. That's what makes the game so great. He [Jones] is a great player. Best of the best. I'm going to go out there, work hard and play my game.

"We've played a good many preseason games. I've had a lot of practice. I've had plenty of enough time to prepare myself for this opening game."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com.

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