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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2008

SUNDAY'S BEST

Tampa Bay WR Antonio Bryant may have entered Sunday's game against Chicago with as many drops as he had receptions - three - but departed with more than anyone could have predicted.

Bryant had 10 receptions for 138 yards during Tampa Bay's 27-24 overtime victory against Chicago. His previous best for single game receptions was nine, set as a San Francisco 49er against Baltimore on Nov, 1, 2006.
TEAM STAT
While most people are enamored with the amount of attempts Tampa Bay QB Brian Griese had against Chicago (67), lost in his numbers are what his offensive line was able to generate.

Despite dropping back 67 times, Tampa Bay's offensive line did not give up any sacks against Chicago. Griese's quick release helped Tampa Bay, but the protection given by the entire unit could arguably have been the best single-game performance in franchise history.

"It's a credit to our offensive line," Griese said. "I try to pride myself on getting rid of the football because sacks kill drives, so I'd rather throw the ball away. Our guys did a great job holding off the pressure on me all day long."

MAKE IT A BLOCKBUSTER NIGHT
Tampa Bay CB Elbert Mack was one of the few players who did not make his team's Chicago road trip.

Mack had to serve a one-game suspension for his second late hit against a quarterback in three games. He was forced to watch the game from home, but then had the opportunity to pop in a DVD after Tampa Bay's victory.

Here are some movies Bucs defensive coach Raheem Morris might have prohibited Mack from watching this weekend:

Fight Club

Die Hard

Terminator

Gladiator

Braveheart

Under Siege
CASUAL FRIDAY
Prior to Griese's unpredictable fourth-quarter performance against Chicago, it appeared Bucs fans might have to wear Hawaiian shirts on casual Friday.

After Griese's heroics, Bucs fans will be able to support their team this Friday without fear of ridicule from their coworkers.

Here are some jerseys worth sporting this week:

No. 8 Brian Griese - Even if you have Jeff Garcia's jersey, the way Gruden rotates quarterbacks, this is a necessity

No. 55 Derrick Brooks - Could wear this jersey for years and still be in fashion

No. 70 Donald Penn - Doubtful anyone else is supporting a guy who protected Griese's blindside 67 times

No. 89 Antonio Bryant - Might be a special order item, but definitely unique

No. 90 Gaines Adams - Any defensive lineman who runs 45 yards for a TD deserves love

No. 91 Greg White - Has 3.5 sacks in three games and is positioning himself to be a Pro Bowl candidate

LOCKER ROOM TALK

"We're in the trenches. You got to protect your guys first. If you got to draw a little blood, you got to draw a little blood. They're physical, we're physical." - Michael Clayton about the scuffles between both teams.

"It was a costly mistake on my part. It shouldn't have happened. The saying is 'They always see the second push.' Obviously, it was a costly mistake. I shouldn't have put myself in that situation. I was just trying to swing him off me. I was trying to pull guys off my teammate and one thing led to another. I've got to be smarter than that." - Chicago CB Charles Tillman.

"Heck yeah; I went to Florida." - Bucs RB Earnest Graham when asked if he ever been a game with so much passing.

"We went out there and we opened it up a little bit. It's a long season and we have a lot of games left. We'll find our way to get our perfect balance, but right now we're going to go with what works and be consistent." - Bryant on Tampa Bay's passing game.

"I don't usually have too many man-coverage responsibilities, and usually that route is used as a decoy route, but once he turned and his eyes got big, I figured it was the real deal." - Bucs LB Barrett Ruud about his assignments before grabbing an interception.

"If you let a team hang around that long, if you play like that in the end - whether its Brian Griese or some other quarterback - if you don't make plays like that in the end, it's going to be a long day." - Chicago coach Lovie Smith about Griese having an advantage over his former team.

BY THE NUMBERS

1 - Amount of yards Tampa Bay's Dexter Jackson gained on three punt returns

5 - Receptions for 54 yards by Clayton

8 - Yards off two receptions by Chicago TE Desmond Clark (former Kathleen High standout)

31:22 - Minutes Tampa Bay had possession compared to Chicago's 39:17

45 - Yards Bucs DE Gaines Adams ran after his interception

61 - Penalty yards by Tampa Bay

66 - Brian Griese's passing rating against Chicago

89 - Rushing yards by Chicago RB Matt Forte

454 - Yards compiled by Tampa Bay's offense

Anwar S. Richardson

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