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Protection Not A Major Issue

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 11, 2008

TAMPA The sheer numbers don't tell the full story of Tampa Bay's protection racket.
NFL statistics suggest the Bucs are having all kinds of problems keeping QB Jeff Garcia upright in recent weeks. After Tampa Bay surrendered 11 sacks through 10 games, Garcia has gone down 14 times in the past three weeks.

"I don't think it's an issue, I really don't," G Davin Joseph said Wednesday. "If it was a case where we had unblocked guys running free and Jeff was getting killed, that would be one thing. Jeff has had time to set up, and he's seeing the field very well right now, but when a linebacker chases down Jeff when he's scrambling, they count that as a sack."

Many of the recent sacks suffered by Garcia have occurred close to the line of scrimmage, supporting Joseph's theory. He was dropped five times for only 23 yards in the loss against the Panthers, four times for 14 yards against New Orleans and five times for 26 yards at Detroit.

"Protection actually has been very good," Coach Jon Gruden said. "I'm really comfortable with the way the pocket looks and the pickups. Some of those sacks are on bootlegs and scramble opportunities."

Garcia is concerned enough about the situation to prompt a talk with line coach Bill Muir about what he can do to help his blockers.

"It's just unfortunate," the league's fifth-rated passer said "I realize we have been sacked quite a bit more the past three weeks. Part of it is just getting caught in situations where either I'm getting stuck holding onto the ball or having one mistake in one place that's allowing pressure to get through."

INJURY UPDATE

Tampa Bay's extensive injury list continues to grow.

Heading into Sunday's game at Atlanta, the Bucs are hurting at DT. Jovan Haye and Chris Hovan are grappling with knee injuries, and Gruden labeled them as questionable after both missed Wednesday's practice.

Hovan was injured in Monday night's 38-23 loss at Carolina, where Haye's absence as a run defender was evident.

Garcia was limited in Wednesday's practice because of a lower calf strain that Gruden said is unrelated to the training camp injury that sidelined Garcia in August.

DE John Abraham, credited with 12.5 of Atlanta's 24 sacks, didn't practice for the Falcons because of thigh and shoulder problems.

PLAYOFF PUSH

With an NFC South title still within reach, the Bucs can secure a playoff spot by Sunday evening.

The Bucs (9-4) will clinch their second consecutive postseason berth with a win at Atlanta, coupled with losses by either Dallas (8-5) or Philadelphia (7-5-1). The Cowboys host the Giants late Sunday afternoon, and the Eagles are at home Monday night against the Browns.

"I hate the scenarios, I hate to look too far in advance," Joseph said. "I'm just focused on this Sunday. I'm not trying to focus on what everybody else is doing."

BUC BITS

Atlanta's Roddy White tops NFL players with 1,249 receiving yards ... In his second NFL season, former USF standout LB Stephen Nicholas is still seeking his initial pro start, but he is second on the Falcons with 11 special teams tackles ... The Falcons average 32 points per game at home, outscoring opponents 61-10 in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome.

Ira Kaufman

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