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Sacks Concern Gruden

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 20, 2008

TAMPA Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden does not believe his offensive line is to blame, but admits there is a problem.

During Tampa Bay's first 10 games, the offense allowed only 10 sacks. Tampa Bay's offensive line was viewed as one of the NFL's best and arguably tops in team history.

How things have changed.

The Buccaneers have given up 18 sacks in their last four games. They hope to end that trend when they host San Diego on Sunday.

"It's not the offensive line exclusively. It's the offense," Gruden said. "Some of those are scrambles, let's be honest. Several of those are scrambles. Some are on offensive line. Some might be a tight end, might be a running back. Might be we held the ball too long.

"Our offensive line is the strength of our offense. I wouldn't say they've had 18 sacks against them, but statistics are what they are."

Statistics were not in Tampa Bay's favor last week as Atlanta DE John Abraham had three sacks and four quarterback hurries against the Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay's offensive line is taking most of the blame, but the unit does not believe this current sack trend is a problem.

"Obviously, we can do better," Bucs RG Davin Joseph said. "We've been passing the ball a little bit more, and we've really seen a lot of receivers emerge that we did not see in the first half of the season. We're getting the ball around a little bit more and with that, you're going to have more sacks.

"It's something that we're not worried about because we're not having guys come sack free or missed assignments. We're getting beat, but that's correctable. That's correctable by watching film and getting better and that's something we need to get better to go into this playoff run."

Run Must End

Kansas City RB Jamaal Charles previously held one honor by himself.

Charles rushed for 106 yards against Tampa Bay in Week 9 and was the only individual to gain more than 100 yards rushing against the Bucs' defense this season.

Now Charles has company.

Tampa Bay's defense has allowed three running backs (DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Michael Turner) to rush for more than 100 yards the last two weeks. With San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson coming to town, the Bucs are hoping to stop their recent trend.

"The thing you have to realize is that at some point or another, somebody is going to realize what you are doing," Bucs DE Kevin Carter said. "Then the next person comes along and they were able to do some of the same things.

"It's about timing, about schemes, weaknesses and things you exploit. This is a game of adjustments, so the mistakes that we made before, we're doing things to not make them again."

Time For Change

San Diego has racked up enough frequent-flyer mileage to earn a free trip after this season.

The Chargers have traveled to play games in Miami, Buffalo, London, Pittsburgh and Kansas City. San Diego players will have plenty of time with their favorite movies this week when it plays in Tampa.

"It's a mind-set to get yourself ready," Chargers QB Philip Rivers said. "The stats don't lie. They show that West Coast teams haven't fared too well over there East Coast, but that's just another obstacle you have to overcome, and nobody is going to feel sorry for you for having to do it."

San Diego is 2-5 on the road this season, but its largest margin of defeat was nine points against Buffalo, while the Chargers lost two games by one point.

To prepare for playing at 10 a.m. according to their body clock, the Chargers started practice earlier then usual this week. The team also left for Tampa on Friday to prepare for the three-hour difference.

"When I was with Dallas many years ago, we always felt teams coming in and playing noon kickoffs, it was hard on them," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "It's hard to describe what the effects are. If you're starting slow, that's certainly a benefit to the other team. I would like to think it's not as big of a deal as it's been this year."

Injury Report

Gruden seemed optimistic that LB Derrick Brooks (ribs) and QB Jeff Garcia (calf) will start against San Diego.

Both participated in practice and Gruden likes their chances to play.

"He Brooks looks well," Gruden said. "We'll get to the stadium and make sure everything is accurate, but it does appear our captain will be back. It's a credit to him."

Gruden was also optimistic about Garcia.

"I believe he'll be the starter," Gruden said. "What his strength and stamina is, I can't be a true judge of that today. I just know he's tough."

Others on the injury report: P Josh Bidwell (illness) is probable; DE Gaines Adams (ankle), DE Greg White (shoulder), OL Jeremy Zuttah (ankle), DT Jovan Haye (knee) and DT Chris Hovan (knee) are questionable.

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