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Bryant Provides Big Lift

The Associated Press

Antonio Bryant celebrates with teammate Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Michael Clayton after Bryant scored on a 47-yard touchdown pass during the first half.

By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2008

TAMPA - Antonio Bryant provided a healthy tonic for Tampa Bay's battered wide receiver corps Sunday night.

The 27-year-old free agent continued an impressive comeback season during a nationally televised 20-10 victory against Seattle as Bryant caught six passes for 115 yards, opening the scoring with a 47-yard catch 5:47 into the game.

With Joey Galloway (foot) and Maurice Stovall (hamstring) inactive against the Seahawks, Jeff Garcia saw his list of reliable targets dwindle even further when veteran Ike Hilliard was sidelined with an early concussion.

Bryant, who didn't play at all last season after wearing out 49ers coach Mike Nolan in 2006, keeps making big plays while Galloway recovers from a foot injury that has sidelined him for the past five weeks.

"It's unfortunate we lost our third-down specialist when Ike went down, but I felt really comfortable tonight," said Bryant, already with his fourth NFL team. "Coming here to Tampa was an opportunity and the people welcomed me from the start. The rest was up to me - that was the easy part."

Each of Bryant's six receptions generated a first down and his scoring catch marked Tampa Bay's longest completion of the year.

Flanked to the left on third-and-7, Bryant sped past third-year corner Kelly Jennings and hauled in Garcia's pass for his first touchdown in a Tampa Bay uniform as Jennings tripped at the 11-yard line.

"It was a blitz and we were looking forward to it," Bryant said. "Jeff wanted to go deep and everyone was a little antsy to go downfield."

Bryant's ninth-career 100-yard game left him with a team-high 31 catches, prompting accolades from new teammates eager to congratulate him for his dynamic turnaround.

"I'm so happy for him, particularly on Sunday night football," said cornerback Phillip Buchanon. "After missing all of last season, Antonio is definitely driven to succeed. You could see that by his play tonight."

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