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SURPRISE, SURPRISE From Worst To First

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 8, 2008

REASONS TO BELIEVE

1. The league's youngest offensive line held up well most of the season, yielding only 16 sacks through the first 10 games and powering a ground attack that averaged 4.2 yards per carry despite injuries to Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman.

2. From the start of training camp July 26, the camaraderie was extraordinary. This was a special group of players who enjoyed each other's company, played hard for each other and cared about the guy in the next locker. That spirit was exemplified when the entire bench emptied to console injured WR Paris Warren in the final preseason game Aug. 30.

3. The defense rebounded from a subpar 2006 season to reclaim its stature as an elite unit. Veterans such as Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Kevin Carter showed the youngsters how to be a professional, and Jovan Haye, Tanard Jackson, Barrett Ruud and Gaines Adams responded to help the Bucs rank as the NFC's No. 1 unit.

4. The emergence of Earnest Graham as a reliable feature back kept QB Jeff Garcia in favorable down-and-distance situations. Graham scored 10 TDs and ran with confidence, providing the franchise with a sense of security if Williams isn't ready when '08 camp opens.

REASONS TO WORRY

1. Sunday's drab playoff performance reminds Bucs fans that when Joey Galloway is rendered ineffective, Tampa Bay lacks the firepower to dictate matchups. The other wide receivers combined for only two TD catches, so another speedy, dangerous target looms as the No. 1 offseason priority.

2. Jeff Garcia turns 38 in February and the Bucs are still seeking to groom their QB of the future. Garcia is as tough as they come, but he's nearing the end of an accomplished career and Chris Simms faces an uncertain future. It's unlikely the answer is on the current roster.

3. Graham gets the yards that are there, but a complementary speed back would give opposing defenses another look and generate concern. After New York's Brandon Jacobs pounded away against the Bucs on Sunday, rookie Ahmad Bradshaw represented an effective change of pace.

4. Until Jon Gruden's contract is extended, free agents will be reluctant to join the Bucs. Tampa Bay isn't the only team with $30 million in cap room and Gruden's lame-duck status needs to be addressed within the next month.

1. There were intriguing stories everywhere, but none more improbable than DE Greg White, who posted eight sacks and forced seven fumbles after signing a week into training camp. The former Arena Football League standout remains raw, but White boasts pass-rush instincts that can't be taught.

2. When Luke Petitgout went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 4, the Bucs weren't sure they could adequately protect QB Jeff Garcia's blind side. That was before 24-year-old LT Donald Penn seized the opportunity and played well without requiring a lot of help, taking on the likes of Dwight Freeney, Charles Grant and John Abraham.

3. Gruden dispelled a reputation for mistrusting young players as Tanard Jackson and Aaron Sears started every game as rookies. Barrett Ruud kept his starting job at MLB despite the presence of veteran Jeremiah Trotter and led Tampa Bay with 169 tackles.

4. Micheal Spurlock, of course.

PLAYS OF THE YEAR

1. Mr. Spurlock went where no Buc had gone before.

2. Jerramy Stevens made his first scoring catch of the year count, grabbing Jeff Garcia's 4-yard flip with 14 seconds remaining Dec. 2 for a 27-23 victory at New Orleans. Tampa Bay's fourth consecutive win gave the Bucs plenty of breathing room atop the NFC South and they clinched the division two weeks later.

3. Veteran CB Brian Kelly secured a 19-13 triumph against Washington in Week 12 by picking off a Jason Campbell pass in the end zone with only 17 seconds remaining.

4. After back-to-back losses against Detroit and Jacksonville left the Bucs at 4-4, S Jermaine Phillips triggered a four-game winning streak with a late interception against Arizona's Kurt Warner near midfield to preserve a 17-10 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

40-7

Bucs' record under Jon Gruden when winning the turnover battle.

5-35

Bucs' record under Gruden when losing the turnover battle.

9

Number of Bucs starters Sunday who also opened the playoff game against Washington two years ago (WR Joey Galloway, C John Wade, TE Alex Smith, TE Anthony Becht, DT Chris Hovan, LB Derrick Brooks, LB Ryan Nece, CB Ronde Barber, S Jermaine Phillips).

1

Touchdown catch for WR Michael Clayton in his last 40 regular-season games following his outstanding rookie year.

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