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After A Lost First Half, Defense Keeps Its Poise

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: November 3, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For the first 20 minutes of Sunday's game, Tampa Bay's proud defense looked lost in Middle America.

The Chiefs, who averaged only 14 points per game during a 1-6 start, struck for touchdowns on their opening three possessions, rolling up 12 first downs and 182 yards against the NFL's No. 5 defense.

Monte Kiffin's unit appeared confused and even overmatched at times as Kolby Smith rushed for 41 yards in the first quarter alone while second-year pro Tyler Thigpen posted a passer rating of 135.1.

Kansas City spread the Bucs out and an anonymous offensive line was winning the trench battles.

"They had a solid game plan and I remember sitting on the sidelines saying to myself, 'We're not supposed to be a 5-4 team after today,'" Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said.

Then it got really ugly as Thigpen found himself 10 yards past Barber and hauled in a 37-yard option pass from receiver Mark Bradley for a 21-3 advantage with 10:12 remaining in the half.

"There are no pushovers in this league," Bucs defensive end Kevin Carter said. "No one lays down for you and I'd be disappointed if they did. The Chiefs came out aggressive and we needed to keep our poise."

By halftime, the Chiefs had 15 first downs, 260 yards and a 24-13 advantage, converting 5-for-8 on third down against the No. 2 third-down defense in the league.

"Coach Chan Gailey tested us today," said Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks, referring to Kansas City's imaginative offensive coordinator. "We got out of whack early. We're so prideful around here and we don't want the other team to smell a yard. Each of us had to stop trying to be Superman because we knew our offense was moving the ball."

When Smith was carted off with a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter, the Chiefs turned to Jamaal Charles and the rookie responded with 106 yards in 18 carries, becoming the first 100-yard rusher allowed by Tampa Bay this season.

"It was fun out there," Charles said. "Our defense tried hard, our offense tried hard and we went out there with our minds focused to win the game."

As the Bucs mounted a historic comeback, the young Chiefs wilted.

Kiffin called for more Cover 2, and perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez, who hurt the Bucs early, was silenced, except for a spectacular 20-yard catch in the fourth quarter that was wiped out because he pushed off against Barber.

Linebacker Barrett Ruud led all players with 13 tackles, but the Bucs weren't happy with a rushing defense that yielded 183 yards - the most allowed by Tampa Bay in the past 35 games.

"They gave us everything they've got," Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan said of the Chiefs, who forced four turnovers but lost for the 16th time in the past 17 games. "We finally figured their offense out and we tackled better as the game went on. There's one thing people should know by now about this football team - don't ever count us out."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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