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Bucs Looking For Quick Start

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2008

TAMPA - Understandably proud of their coping skills, the Bucs don't necessarily want to display their renowned comeback abilities Monday night in Charlotte, N.C.

Tampa Bay has overcome major deficits in road victories against Chicago, Kansas City and Detroit en route to a 9-3 mark and a share of first place in the rugged NFC South.

Slow starts have been troubling, and the Bucs appear determined to again get the jump on Carolina, which fell behind early on a blocked punt by rookie LB Geno Hayes in a 27-3 loss at Raymond James Stadium on Oct. 12.

"It's very important to not start slow in any fashion," RT Jeremy Trueblood said Thursday. "Don't turn the ball over, don't shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties. This is a good Carolina team, and we can't be spotting them 17 points and expect to win."

Tampa Bay's offense has scored only one first-quarter TD in six road games this season - a 4-yard pass from Brian Griese to Ike Hilliard at Soldier Field in Week 3.

Because red-zone woes plague the Bucs, Matt Bryant leads the NFL with 32 field-goal attempts.

If the Bucs need a blueprint for victory, they could follow the 2005 script that saw Tampa Bay venture to Charlotte in December and emerge with a 20-10 triumph that helped seal a division title.

Tampa Bay didn't commit a turnover and led 10-0 at the half, with Cadillac Williams finishing with 112 yards and two TDs.

"We've shown a lot of resiliency this year, but down the line you want to be playing your best football, and we've got to take advantage of our opportunities Monday night," said C Jeff Faine. "We need to score more touchdowns."

INJURY UPDATE

DT Jovan Haye, who hurt his knee against New Orleans, was the only Buc who didn't participate in Thursday's practice. Coach Jon Gruden deemed him "very questionable" for the Carolina game.

WR Michael Clayton was limited because of what Gruden termed a foot injury, but Clayton was listed with a knee problem on the official report.

Carolina OLB Na'il Diggs (thigh) was limited in Thursday's practice.

BUC BITS

Panthers DE Julius Peppers, flourishing since being switched to the right side this season, has 11 sacks in the past 10 games. ... Carolina is 6-0 at home, averaging 28 points per game at Bank of America Stadium compared to 20 points on the road. ... When Bucs opponents have to drive at least 60 yards, the NFL's No. 4 defense has yielded only 10 TDs in 119 possessions.

Ira Kaufman

HAPPY RETURNS

With each big return, Clifton Smith is providing the Bucs with field position and newfound recognition. After averaging 31.1 yards per kickoff return and 18.1 yards per punt return during a November to remember, Smith has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month.

"I'm definitely surprising myself in a lot of ways," Smith said, "especially not knowing I would ever get to this point. It's a big deal, especially the way I came in here as an undrafted guy - this award is real meaningful for me."

Smith returned a kickoff and a punt for scores last month and he's looking forward to making a difference at Charlotte.

"It's my first Monday night game under the lights in front of the nation," he said. "It would be great to make a big play in this game."

Smith's 29.5 average tops all kick returners, but the Panthers lead the NFC in stingiest kickoff coverage.

PROLIFIC PANTHER

Since the start of the 2005 season, Carolina's Steve Smith has an NFL-high 22 100-yard receiving games, including five against Tampa Bay. The players with the most 100-yard games since 2005:

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