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Reduced Role For Hilliard

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2008

Updated: 12/12/2008 12:13 am

TAMPA - The Bucs have a receiver who sustained an injury this season and recovered but still has not been utilized like he was in 2007.

Although WR Joey Galloway fits that description, he is not the only receiver suffering.
Bucs WR Ike Hilliard, once so reliable that third downs were referred to as third-and-Ike, also has seen his playing time diminish this season.

Hilliard has 38 catches for 351 yards and four touchdowns, which is not on par with his numbers last season. The 12-year veteran had 62 receptions for 722 yards and one TD last year. Hilliard has five catches for 60 yards and one touchdown in the last four games.

"They call the plays and I'll run them. That's really it," Hilliard said. "There is always a method to Coach Jon Gruden's madness."

Gruden's method this season has been to get more players involved.

Tampa Bay has 10 players with at least 10 receptions in 2008, while TEs Alex Smith (three touchdowns) and Jerramy Stevens (two touchdowns) have been more involved in this year's offense.

"I don't know how many guys we have in double digits catching the football, but we probably rival anyone in the league," Gruden said. "Our tight ends are a big factor here. Jerramy Stevens has helped us. Ike's had a solid year. Michael Clayton's played good, but we've got a lot of guys that are catching the ball.

"Warrick Dunn. B.J. Askew is a factor now in the passing game. We're one of those teams that tries to utilize all five eligibles. Hopefully we can get some more to Ike here as we progress."

STOP ON RED

The Buccaneers could trot K Matt Bryant out on first down when they cross the opponent's 20-yard line to avoid being disappointed.

Tampa Bay is still one of the worst NFL teams when it comes to scoring touchdowns in the red zone. The Bucs have scored 18 touchdowns in 50 red-zone trips, a 36-percent success rate that ranks 30th, ahead of Oakland (31) and St. Louis (32), but behind Cincinnati (28) and Cleveland (29).

The Bucs have settled for 24 field goals and failed to score eight times, leaving the team with an 84 percent scoring rate.

INJURY REPORT

QB Jeff Garcia, DT Jovan Haye (knee), DT Chris Hovan (knee), G Sean Mahan (back), OL Jeremy Zuttah (ankle) and QB Brian Griese (right elbow) were limited in Thursday's practice, while WR Michael Clayton (toe) was a full participant.

The most notable Atlanta player who did not practice was DE John Abraham (thigh/shoulder), who missed his second consecutive day.

Anwar S. Richardson

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