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Ronde At The Heart Of The Moment

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Monte Kiffin talks with Ronde Barber in the final two minutes at Arrowhead Stadium.

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber walked over to the Bucs' offensive unit seconds before it took the field against Kansas City and relayed a message.

"He said, 'Have this drive and the rest of this game define who we are,'" Bucs receiver Ike Hilliard said. "I think guys took it to heart."

Tampa Bay proceeded to show its heart during the final fourth-quarter drive, storming downfield and scoring a touchdown and 2-point conversion to send the game to overtime. With kicker Matt Bryant's game-winning 34-yard field goal, Tampa Bay pulled off an improbable 30-27 victory.

The win reiterated the Bucs' ability to win on the road after playing poorly in three previous losses. Tampa Bay proved it could overcome a large deficit even when the defense struggles. The Bucs also may have given themselves a confidence boost with seven regular-season games remaining after their bye week.

"We've still got a lot of work to do with seven games left," Coach Jon Gruden said. "It's just encouraging to know that we can come from behind and win. We did it in Chicago and it was just as dramatic as it was Sunday.

"It's a collective effort. I think our team believes in one another. It's just a huge win no matter how you look at it."

It is also the win that could shape Tampa Bay's season.

Every NFL team plays one game each year that typically determines whether the season will lead to success or failure. The Bucs are optimistic their most recent performance on the road, despite having a 1-3 road record prior to Sunday's game, and overcoming a 21-point deficit will have positive ramifications.

"We were able to make it work," right guard Davin Joseph said. "Against all odds, down on the road, you have turnovers in the second half, it's one of those games we can look back and say, 'If we can do it in Kansas City, we can do it anywhere.'

"We're close, but we're not there yet. Now we know what we're getting ourselves into and we know our defense is good enough that we're going to have the ball in two-minute drill situations with around a minute left and we're just going to have to make it work. We did it once, and knowing we can do it again is huge."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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