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Defensive Line Lacks Pressure

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 23, 2008

Updated: 12/23/2008 12:11 am

TAMPA - The Bucs spent their first-round draft pick two years ago on Gaines Adams precisely for moments like Sunday's game against San Diego.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers picked apart Tampa Bay's defense during its 41-24 victory, but his success was mainly because the Bucs lacked defensive line pressure.

Tampa Bay recorded one sack and four hurries against Rivers, but Adams did not contribute to that total, nor did DE Greg White. Both finished with two tackles each, and although Adams (ankle) and White (shoulder) are fighting nagging injuries, Bucs coach Jon Gruden expects more productivity.

"He's Adams got to play better for us to be a heck of a football team," Gruden said. "This is a 4-3 defense, and you guys have covered it, you guys know it pretty well. A 4-3 defense, the engine of it, my thing, is the guys up front.

"We need more from Gaines certainly, Greg White, Stylez White, Jo-Jo White, Roy White, whoever the hell else we're talking about here. We need more."

Although Gruden wants more, he has received less quarterback pressure from Adams and White this season.

White led Tampa Bay with eight sacks last year, while Adams had six. This season, White has five sacks and Adams leads the team with 5.5.

Tampa Bay has received positive production from Jimmy Wilkerson (five sacks) and Kevin Carter (four sacks as opposed to three last year), but Adams is the one player drafted to dominate offensive linemen, but has yet to ascend.

"We need more to be what we want to be," Gruden said. "I realize guys are playing through some tough injuries right now and Gaines is one of those guys. We need these men to step up here and obviously, it's a key ingredient here in the way we play defense."

TIME CHANGE COULD BE BAD

Tampa Bay received news Monday that could end up working against the Bucs on Sunday.

The NFL announced it decided to flex Dallas' season finale against Philadelphia from 1 to 4:15 p.m. Tampa Bay needs to defeat Oakland and Dallas to lose against Philadelphia to make the playoffs.

However, if Tampa Bay wins, Philadelphia does not have anything to play for other than pride, and there is a possibility the Eagles start their younger players and rest veterans for a meaningless game.

"If we win, then Philly knows if they win, they're not going to get in," Bucs RB Warrick Dunn said. "It's tough."

MONTE NOT AN ISSUE

Since Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin announced he was leaving after this season to coach with his son at Tennessee, the team has performed poorly in two of their last three outings.

Although the defense's performance has coincided with Kiffin's announcement, players do not view the departure as a distraction.

"Obviously, we've not played well," LB Derrick Brooks said. "If Monte had announced he was staying, we'd still be criticized for not playing good defense. I don't think his leaving has anything to do with why we've not been able to win games. We just haven't been able to get it done."

TRYING TO AVOID FOUR

If Tampa Bay drops its fourth consecutive game, it will mark the fifth time Gruden has lost four straight since taking over as coach in 2002.

The Buccaneers lost four consecutive games to start their 2004 season and finished that year by losing four straight. Tampa Bay opened its 2006 season with four losses and dropped another four straight near the end of that year.

Now Tampa Bay is on the verge of matching its previous four-loss efforts.

"The bottom line is we're a 9-6 football team, lost three tough games in a row and we have an opportunity to win our 10th game," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "It might be good enough to qualify for the playoffs and we're going to have a good week of practice and play our best football."

Anwar S. Richardson

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