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Bucs Won't Pass On Chance To Throw Ball

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By IRA KAUFMAN ikaufman@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2008

Updated: 10/28/2008 01:55 am

TAMPA - Despite boasting the league's ninth-rated running attack and receiving little production from primary deep threat Joey Galloway, the Bucs are tied with New Orleans for the most pass attempts (304) in the NFL through Week 8.

Only the Cardinals, who have played one fewer game than the Bucs, are averaging more passes than Tampa Bay, which heads into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to face the defenseless Chiefs (1-6) before a bye week.

Coming off three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, Galloway has played only three games because of a foot injury and has been limited to 11 catches for 112 yards at the midpoint of the season.

Galloway returned from a five-game absence in Sunday's 13-9 loss at Dallas and the Bucs (5-3) fell to1-3 on the road after running for only 49 yards.

"We didn't run the ball very well Sunday," said Coach Jon Gruden, "and we haven't run the ball to our standards the last two weeks. We can throw the ball here. We've got to get more done running the football."

Tampa Bay averaged only 2.6 yards on its 38 rushing attempts against Seattle the previous week in a 20-10 triumph.

"We'll keep working on it and hopefully get some confidence for Coach Gruden to call it more," Bucs center Jeff Faine said of a suddenly struggling ground game.

Last in the league in rushing defense, the Chiefs could provide the perfect tonic.

Opponents average 5.6 yards per carry and Kansas City has already yielded 14 touchdowns on the ground, compared with zero for a Bucs defense that has vaulted into the No. 5 spot overall.

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