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Lack Of Sacks Gets To Bucs' D

By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 14, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Bay has a 6-3 record, but nobody on the Bucs' defensive line is happy about their failure to grab quarterbacks.

The Bucs' defensive linemen have 12 of the team's 15 sacks this season, a total that ranks tied for 24th in the NFL. Tampa Bay's defensive line has failed to record a sack in four of the past five games, the exception a three-sack game against Dallas quarterback Brad Johnson.

Despite few sacks, Tampa Bay's defense ranks seventh in the NFL. But its defensive line hopes for better results Sunday against Minnesota.

"We would like to get sacks, definitely," Bucs defensive end Greg White said. "We do hold a premium to that. We're winning right now, so I guess everything is all right, but we're definitely looking to get better this week."

Tampa Bay's optimism stems from having to face Minnesota quarterback Gus Frerotte. He has been sacked 18 times in seven starts this season, giving Tampa Bay hope it will finally put a QB on the ground. The uncertainty is which lineman might step up.

End Gaines Adams leads the team with 4.0 sacks, but 3.5 came in Tampa Bay's first three games. White, who finished last season with a team-high eight sacks, has none in the past six games.

"We need White to get home," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "We need him to hit the ball out the park, because those are winning edges. Those are impact plays. We've got to get to the other team's passer."

Tampa Bay has gotten to opponents' running backs more consistently. The Bucs have allowed only one individual rusher to gain more than 100 yards, have given up one rushing touchdown and rank sixth in stops on third-and-1.

"Obviously, we're getting it done," Bucs defensive end Kevin Carter said. "When we're not getting it done and we're not getting any pressure on the quarterback, then there is a problem. When we look at our stat column every week, we look at how many pressures we have. We look at how many third downs we have. We look at the number of total yardage we have given up and number of points. ... Some things might be lacking, but when you put them all together, we're a top-ranked defense."

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

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