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Smackdown: Greatest Playoff Performance

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2008

Smackdown: Greatest Playoff Performance?

Smackdown Results: Offense 8, Defense 8

TAMPA The regular season is where many players earn respect, but postseason performances create legacies.

The playoffs are where Joe Montana earned his "Joe Cool" and "Comeback King" nicknames. They are why Michael Jordan's jumper against Craig Ehlo is remembered simply as "The Shot." The postseason is where Reggie Jackson cemented his reputation as a clutch performer and forever will be known as "Mr. October."

This week's Smackdown features former San Francisco and current Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia against Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber to determine the "Greatest Playoff Performance." The winner only enhances his mythical reputation.

Jeff Garcia, Bucs Quarterback

Bucs coach Jon Gruden remembers San Francisco's 2002 playoff game against the New York Giants very well.

San Francisco trailed 38-14 with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter on Jan. 5, 2003. It appeared 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia's season was going to end miserably until he created a comeback to mirror the great San Francisco throwers who preceded him.

"I remember we were preparing for the Giants. All of a sudden we were preparing for the 49ers because he got red-hot," said Gruden, whose Bucs were hosting the next round of the playoffs.

Garcia led the 49ers on a seven-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens. He completed six of six passes for 67 yards on that drive, and his two-point conversion pass to Owens narrowed the deficit to 38-22.

The 49ers began their next drive on New York's 27-yard line. Garcia capped that drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, then threw a two-point conversion pass to Owens to make the score 38-30.

San Francisco kicked a field goal on its next drive and trailed 38-33, but Garcia was not finished. With 3:01 left, he led the 49ers on a nine-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard TD pass to Tai Streets, putting them ahead 39-38 with one minute to play. Although the two-point conversion failed, San Francisco held on to pull off the second-greatest postseason comeback in NFL history (24 points).

"I remember the game. I remember the comeback. It was an emotional win," Garcia said. "Obviously, certain breaks took place during the game that gave us a chance to get back in it and win that game."

To add a little touch of irony, Garcia played against Tampa Bay the following week and threw three interceptions in a 31-6 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions.

Garcia can establish his Tampa Bay legacy with more outstanding performances in this year's playoffs, but his previous showing against New York has cemented his place in history.

"He's a never-say-die kind of guy," Gruden said, "and if you give him one more chance, he can make you pay. That's the kind of player he is."

Ronde Barber, Bucs Cornerback

The most definitive play in Tampa Bay's history occurred on Jan. 19, 2003, but it took several years of construction.

The Bucs were on the road against Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game. They had been defeated in consecutive years by the Eagles in the playoffs (21-3 in 2000 and 31-9 in 2001), the latter leading to the firing of Coach Tony Dungy.

Add Tampa Bay's history of poor cold-weather performances (temperature at kickoff was in the 20s with a wind-chill of 16 degrees) and it being the last game played at Veterans Stadium, and this setting was supposed to be more like the Colosseum with the Bucs being fed to the lions.

All those factors led to Barber's franchise-altering day.

"If you ever have a chance, go watch the tape. Ronde Barber was unbelievable that day in Philadelphia ... That was one of the greatest individual games you'll ever see," Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said.

Barber terrorized quarterback Donovan McNabb the entire game. He defended four passes and had three tackles, one sack and a forced fumble, but what Barber did late in the fourth quarter sealed his legacy.

Tampa Bay led 20-10, but it appeared to be just a matter of time before Philadelphia reminded its opponents they were the Bucs. McNabb had driven his team into scoring position with 3:30 remaining and three timeouts left. When McNabb attempted to throw a pass to Antonio Freeman, Barber intercepted and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown, sealing Tampa Bay's 27-10 victory.

It was, to that point, the biggest moment in Bucs history.

"I really don't even remember it. I don't recognize how I was feeling as I watch it on tape. I just can't remember how I felt," Barber said.

Barber has joked around with rookie safety Tanard Jackson, telling him to watch his performance in that game to see how to play a complete NFL game.

But he was more serious when asked if he had seen that interception recently.

"The touchdown? C'mon," Barber said. "Jon [Gruden] shows it every three or four weeks."

As do most Tampa Bay fans.

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