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Bisaccia Gives Boost To Running Backs

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: November 27, 2008

TAMPA - Rich Bisaccia's hands are all over the 2008 Bucs, and Coach Jon Gruden wouldn't have it any other way.

After six years of directing Tampa Bay's special teams, Bisaccia is now in charge of coaching up the running backs.

"We might give him another position next year," Gruden said Wednesday, only half-joking. "He's as good a coach as I've ever been around."

With K Matt Bryant and P Josh Bidwell, the Bucs boast one of the league's premier kicking tandems. The coverage units have been consistent and Clifton Smith is excelling as a return specialist, scoring on both a punt and a kickoff return in the past month.

The running game averages 4.1 yards per carry, despite a flurry of injuries, and veteran RB Warrick Dunn finds himself inspired by Bisaccia's passion for the game.

"It's been a riot," Dunn said of his working relationship with Bisaccia. "Rich is enthusiastic, and he's a guy that talks a lot of trash. He makes it fun. I look forward to seeing him in meetings, just to hear what he's going to say. He challenges you, but he respects the game."

An original member of Gruden's 2002 staff, Bisaccia is thriving despite the heavy workload.

"I'm having a blast," he said. "I feel fortunate to have this opportunity, and it's been different this year. Everyone around here puts in a lot of time, but my day is structured a little different. I thank Coach Gruden, offensive line coach Bill Muir and receivers coach Richard Mann for working things out with me regarding our meetings. It's been a lot on them to accommodate my schedule."

CIRCLED DATE

Tampa Bay's dynamic rookie CB Aqib Talib has been anticipating a rematch against New Orleans since he made his NFL regular-season debut at the Superdome on Sept. 7, when the Saints rolled up 438 yards and won 24-20.

WR David Patten opened the scoring by getting behind Talib in the end zone and hauling in a 39-yard pass from Drew Brees to cap the Saints' first possession.

"It was my first NFL game and my first time in that dome - it was crazy," said Talib, who tops the Bucs with three interceptions in his role as a nickel back. "I was really nervous. It was a play I felt I had a chance to make if I did a couple of things different."

Despite a pedestrian ground game, the Saints will bring the league's top-rated offense into Raymond James Stadium in hopes of winning for the third consecutive week.

"I'm looking forward to playing them again," Talib said. "Our whole defense feels like we let some things go in Week 1."

INJURY UPDATE

S Jermaine Phillips (forearm) and TE Alex Smith (ankle), both limited in Wednesday's practice, could return to action against New Orleans.

"It's better than they were last week," Gruden said. "We'll see how they feel Wednesday night, and there's a chance."

WR Ike Hilliard, who hasn't missed a game all season, fully participated in practice but was listed on the injury report with a shoulder problem.

BUCS BITS

CB Ronde Barber, who returned the second of his two interceptions at Detroit 65 yards for his 13th career TD, was named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week. ... Brees is 4-2 against Tampa Bay with a 104.7 passer rating. ... Since Sean Payton assumed the head coaching duties in 2006, the Saints lead the NFL in both total yards and most yards after the catch.

Ira Kaufman

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