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Bucs Notes: Wilkerson Seizes His Chance

DE Making An Impact To Earn More Time On The Field

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2008

TAMPA - When DE Jimmy Wilkerson signed with Tampa Bay before this season, it did not create even a ripple in the free agency pool.

Wilkerson was a sixth-round draft pick by Kansas City in 2003, and after five seasons with the Chiefs, he had one career sack — half a sack in 2004 and another half in 2007.

Now Wilkerson is beginning to make waves in the NFL.

Wilkerson has four sacks this season, which ranks him third on the Bucs, and his play has contributed to Tampa Bay's 8-3 record. He is hoping to continue his ascent when Tampa Bay hosts New Orleans in a crucial NFC South game Sunday.

"He's been given an opportunity to play," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "He didn't get a chance to get on the field much in Kansas City other than special teams, which is a credit to [special teams coach] Rich Bisaccia, [General Manager] Bruce Allen and those guys. They spotted him on special teams, really.

"We knew he had some versatility when we did see him play. We saw him play [defensive] end and tackle, but basically he's just been given an opportunity to get on the field and he has good stuff now."

Wilkerson's "stuff" includes his ability to play any position on the defensive line and contribute on special teams. He has become a key rotational defensive end with Gaines Adams, Greg White and Kevin Carter, an opportunity he never received in Kansas City.

Now Wilkerson has a wave of momentum he hopes can guide his team into the playoffs.

"I am definitely getting more of an opportunity here than I was in Kansas City," Wilkerson said. "For me in Kansas City, it was all about worrying about getting onto the field. Here, I don't have to worry about that. I know I'm going to get onto the field.

"Now I just have to go out there and produce. If I'm producing, I get to stay on the field longer. If you don't produce, and that's with every team, you're not going to be out there."

SAINTS GET MOORE THAN EXPECTED

New Orleans WR Lance Moore's expedition to NFL stardom is not one many could have forecasted.

Moore was a standout receiver at Toledo, but he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He spent 2005 and 2006 on the Saints' practice squad and spent time playing in NFL Europe, and he was unsure when he would play in the NFL.

"Well, I always felt like I was capable, and in my mind, it was just a matter of time until I got that real opportunity to show myself," Moore said.

Moore was part of New Orleans' 53-man roster in 2007, but he has taken advantage of his opportunity this season.

He is the Saints' leading receiver with 57 catches for 724 yards and seven touchdowns (four in his last four games). Moore is 13th in the NFL in receptions and is 16th in receiving yardage.

Against Green Bay on Monday, Moore had five receptions for a career-high 115 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints' 51-29 victory.

"He's a great worker and very detailed in what he does," New Orleans coach Sean Payton said. "There's some similarities, having coached Ike Hilliard. When I had Ike in New York, Ike has those same characteristics in that's he's very intelligent, he's very reliable and understands what you want from him each week. To function offensively, you need that."

THIS WOULD BE A FIRST FOR GRUDEN

One knock against Jon Gruden before this season had been his ability to win consistently. It appears that is about to change.

Since 2002, Gruden never had back-to-back winning seasons with Tampa Bay, but the Bucs are 8-3 and he is guaranteed to not have a losing season in 2008. If Tampa Bay wins one more game, Gruden would have his first consecutive winning seasons with the Bucs.

"I don't really think about it. If there has been one knock, there have been 150,000 knocks. If you coach in this league, you're going to have your door knocked down," Gruden said. "That's just the way it is. We've had some tough years, but if you look at the film, you can see why we've had tough years.

"We've had some great years. Our goal is to keep playing good football and try to get into the tournament. That's all I can say. It's a hard league to win in. You know that."

Gruden has 59 wins, surpassing Tony Dungy's previous mark (56 wins from 1996-01), and is the most successful coach in franchise history. He also has guided the Bucs to 56 regular-season wins, also the most in franchise history.

THE MORE THE MERRIER

Tampa Bay coaches might be frustrated with its turnovers, but the Bucs seem to be more successful when they have miscues.

The Bucs are 4-0 when they have three or more turnovers in a game, which is tops in the NFL. Arizona is 2-1 after turning the ball over at least three times, while the Jets are 2-2.

INJURY REPORT

QB Brian Griese (right elbow), S Jermaine Phillips (forearm) and TE Alex Smith (ankle) were limited in Thursday's practice, while WR Ike Hilliard (shoulder) participated fully.

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