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Pittman Trying To Boost Broncos

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2008

DENVER - Broncos RB Michael Pittman tried to approach Sunday's game against Tampa Bay as if it was just another contest, but it was not.

Pittman played for Tampa Bay from 2002 to 2007, and was instrumental in the Bucs' Super Bowl XXXVII victory. He rushed 29 times for 124 yards in Tampa Bay's win against Oakland, but his run ended after signing with Denver last offseason.

Although Sunday's game was odd for Pittman, he rushed six times for 39 yards, and had two receptions for 22 yards, in Denver's 16-13 victory.

"I just wanted to go out and help Denver win," Pittman said. "I think it would have been more emotional if I had left Tampa Bay on bad terms, like if me and Coach Jon Gruden were bumping heads, but I left on good terms.

"Gruden decided to go in a different way. He decided to sign Mike Bennett and Warrick Dunn and I had to move on. I have all the respect in the world for everybody down there."

Pittman's respect did not prevent him from lowering his shoulder and running over Tampa Bay S Jermaine Phillips in the third quarter, a hit Bucs fans are used to seeing him make on opponents.

Overall, Pittman said he does miss Tampa Bay, but is happy to be contributing on a 4-1 team.

"It was like a reunion with all of your brothers," Pittman said. "I was a leader in that locker room for six years and I'm still trying to get to know everybody here at Denver. I'm having a great time here, and I still have respect for everybody down there in Tampa. I just wanted to have a solid game for my team here, and I did my part today."

INJURIES NOT SERIOUS: Bucs QB Brian Griese (elbow) and LB Barrett Ruud (knee) sustained injuries against Denver, but said their damages were not serious.

Ruud said he made a cut in the second half and his knee gave out, but was seen walking without a brace after the game.

"Hopefully it's just a matter of just being in a little bit of pain and I will be OK," Ruud said.

Griese said he took a helmet to his elbow, but there was no structural damage.

PENALTIES ADDED UP: Bucs RT Jeremy Trueblood has a knack for picking up unsportsmanlike penalties, but he begrudgingly added another area of struggle to his resume.

Trueblood was penalized three times for false starts, and was called for holding, in Sunday's loss.

"Lack of concentration," Trueblood said. "There is no excuse for an offside penalty. Penalties shot us in the foot. Four of them were mine. It was a rough day."

STREAK BROKEN: Tampa Bay's offensive line saw its sack streak snapped against Denver.

Griese successfully dropped back 101 consecutive times during the past three games and finally was sacked in the second quarter. Griese scrambled out of the pocket on his fifth pass attempt and stepped out of bounds for no gain, but Broncos LB D.J. Williams was credited with a sack.

Three plays later, Griese was legitimately sacked by DE Ebenezer Ekuban.

Tampa Bay fell short of breaking a team record. Brad Johnson was not sacked in 160 pass attempts in 2003, the team record. Doug Williams was protected 111 consecutive times in 1979. The Bucs' streak of 101 this year is third on the list.

BUCS BITS: RB Warrick Dunn rushed for a team-high 74 yards and moved into 20th on the NFL's all-time rushing list. He surpassed Eddie George (10,441) and Tiki Barber (10,449). ... Tampa Bay's defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown this season, and no running back has gained more than 100 yards. ... QB Jeff Garcia had a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter and has rushed for 2,000 career yards. He is the third active quarterback to rush and pass for 2,000 yards each in his career. ... The Broncos had averaged a league-best 435.5 yards a game and 314.3 passing, but Tampa Bay's defense held them to 333 overall yards and 227 through the air.

Anwar S. Richardson

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