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Bucs: 2 Wins And They're In

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 16, 2008

TAMPA Their heads may be hanging a bit today, but the Bucs have their eyes fixed straight ahead.

Despite losses to Carolina and Atlanta within a six-day span, the Bucs don't need any help in reaching the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

"We're disappointed, but not devastated," TE Jerramy Stevens said. "This sour taste won't be out of our mouths until we get back on the practice field Wednesday, but we control our own destiny and we're playing at home ... and we don't lose at home."

Should the Bucs beat San Diego and Oakland at Raymond James Stadium, they are guaranteed a postseason berth. Even another NFC South title isn't out of reach, but Tampa Bay would have to finish 11-5 and Carolina would have to lose to the Giants and Saints - both on the road.

"We've got to clean up our mistakes," said C Jeff Faine, referring to Tampa Bay's 11 penalties in Sunday's 13-10 OT loss at the Georgia Dome. "We didn't take advantage of our opportunities and it's almost becoming a broken record. We're still in control, but we've got to get rolling before the playoffs so we can go far and make it to the big game."

CB Phillip Buchanon expects LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers to emphasize a ground game that averages only 3.8 yards per carry.

"They're going to try and do some of the things Carolina and Atlanta did against us," Buchanon said. "We play very well at home, so I'm very excited about that. We're still alive, but we have to make some strides from here on out."

BY ANY NAME

He's still No. 91 in your game program, but he's no longer Greg White.

Tampa Bay's second-year DE has officially changed his name. On Monday, a Hillsborough County Circuit Court granted White's request to change his name from Gregory Alphonso White Jr. to Stylez G. White.

Circuit Judge Steve Scott Stephens signed off on White's petition and as White walked through the Bucs locker room Monday, he gleefully distributed copies of the final judgment.

White said he picked his new name from a character in the 1985 movie "Teen Wolf," starring Michael J. Fox.

"That was his best friend's name in the movie," White said. "I always liked that name. It's not that I don't like Greg White."

Fox's friend is named Rupert "Stiles" Stilinski. White changed the spelling and adopted the name as his own.

ONE EARLY BALLOT

Now that Monte Kiffin's move to Tennessee in 2009 is official, the Bucs face the task of replacing their incomparable 13-year defensive coordinator.

"I would say all the players understand Monte's situation," CB Phillip Buchanon said. "He has an opportunity to coach with his son. Monte has been very good to the Bucs organization. His schemes are good and, hopefully, he can pass it on to the next defensive coordinator."

The clubhouse leader appears to be young secondary coach Raheem Morris, a Mike Tomlin clone on the NFL's fast track. Morris' contract expires after this season and if Tampa Bay doesn't promote him, another team may be tempted to offer Morris a coordinator position.

"I can see it and I wouldn't mind, but I'm not working in the front office," Buchanon said of a scenario where Morris succeeds Kiffin next season. "I feel Raheem's ready, but it's not my call."

Ira Kaufman

BUCS BITS

The Panthers just completed an 8-0 slate at Bank of America Stadium and Tampa Bay can join Carolina as the league's only two unbeaten clubs at home by beating the Chargers and Raiders. ... The Chargers have allowed the most passing yards in the AFC and opposing QBs have posted a 93.4 rating. ... In eight road games, Tampa Bay scored only one offensive TD in the first quarter - a 4-yard scoring pass from Brian Griese to Ike Hilliard at Chicago in Week 3.

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