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Kickers Making Big Contributions

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: November 20, 2008

TAMPA - Searching for the most consistent unit on the 2008 Buccaneers?

Try the kicking game.

K Matt Bryant and P Josh Bidwell have contributed prominently during Tampa Bay's 7-3 start, providing the Bucs with critical points and favorable field position.

"We're very aware of game situations, and the numbers show we're doing a good job," said Bidwell, enjoying one of the most effective seasons of his nine-year career. "Matt's the consummate professional. With the battery we have and long snapper Andrew Economos getting consistent snaps to us, you won't find a better kicker out there than Matt."

Bryant's 91 points ties him with New England's Stephen Gostkowski, three points behind NFL leader David Akers of Philadelphia, and Bryant has converted 24 of 28 field-goal attempts.

Bidwell has placed 18 of his 47 punts inside the 20, and Tampa Bay's opponents are averaging 9.3 yards per punt return, a tribute to Bidwell's lengthy hang time.

"Josh can be a game-changer," said Bryant, who has made all 24 of his field-goal tries from 45 yards or less this season. "He has worked really hard on pinning opponents inside their 20. To be able to trust him as a holder going into our fourth year together, we have some chemistry there."

BACK IN HIBERNATION

Tampa Bay's white tiger is back roaming NFL fields, but the roar hasn't returned.

Veteran WR Joey Galloway has only four receptions for 60 yards in the last three games since coming back from a foot injury that sidelined him for five weeks.

With Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton being used more extensively as primary targets, QB Jeff Garcia has been unable to hook up consistently with Galloway, who is coming off three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

"Last year, Joey was definitely on the field a lot more," Garcia said. "He was definitely in position to take advantage of certain opportunities that defenses gave us at certain times. Unfortunately, now with his situation, he's not utilized the same. We just need to continue to plug away and find ways to get him involved."

CARRYING THE LOAD

The Bucs didn't bring Warrick Dunn back to Tampa to make him their feature back. That's what he's going to be down the stretch, though.

The loss of feature back Earnest Graham to an ankle injury means the Bucs will have to lean on the 33-year-old Dunn more than they'd planned. Dunn says he's up to the challenge, largely because the Bucs have spent most of the season leaning on Graham.

"If I have to carry the ball a little more the second half of the year, I can do it; it's only six games," he said. "I'm definitely preserved."

Dunn has run the ball 109 times and caught it 26 times for 135 touches. He's touched the ball 20 times or more just twice, against Carolina and Minnesota. That could be more the norm now. If so, Dunn is fine with it.

"I actually feel all right," he said. "I'm not waking up slow to get out of bed or regretting having touched the ball that many times."

INJURY UPDATE

Leading rusher Earnest Graham (ankle) and rookie LB Geno Hayes (knee) are both out for the season after being placed on injured reserve.

S Jermaine Phillips (forearm) and TE Alex Smith (ankle) each returned to the practice field Wednesday in limited fashion. QB Brian Griese, inactive the past five games with a right elbow injury, did not participate as the Bucs prepared for Sunday's game at winless Detroit.

BUC BIT

Tampa Bay signed RB Noah Herron and LB Matt McCoy, who played three games for the Bucs this season before being released a month ago. In two years with the Packers, Herron rushed for 273 yards and caught 29 passes for 211 yards.

Ira Kaufman, Roy Cummings

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