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Bucs turn up pressure to sack Pack

Staff photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

The Bucs defense made life tough on Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers as Sunday's game went along.

By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2009

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TAMPA – As the losses and the frustration accumulated in the previous eight weeks of despair, Buccaneer players faced mounting pressure.

On Sunday, they decided to apply some pressure of their own.

While holding Green Bay to only one touchdown after intermission Sunday, Tampa Bay sacked Aaron Rodgers six times in the second half, dropping the NFL's top-rated passer four times in the decisive fourth quarter alone.

Bucs DE Stylez G. White sparked a strong pass rush with 1.5 sacks and four QB hits and all six takedowns came from a defensive line that had posted only nine sacks through Tampa Bay's 0-7 start. Tampa Bay's six sacks were the most it has recorded since a seven sack performance against New Orleans on Dec. 19, 2004.

"We knew they were going to come in here and try to throw the ball on us," said White, whose production and playing time have increased markedly since Gaines Adams was traded to Chicago last month. "We played 60-minute football today and it feels good. It's been a long seven weeks, believe me. The week off was huge for us. We got away from football for a while and we got a win."

Tanard Jackson sewed up the 38-28 victory by returning Tampa Bay's third interception of the day 35 yards for a touchdown.

Rodgers, who finished the breezy afternoon with a 57.6 passer rating, had been picked off only twice all season before the Bucs hounded him into critical mistakes.

"We feel like we should move the ball on anybody," said Rodgers, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score. "They played with a lot of confidence on defense and they had a good scheme. You have to give them credit."

Jackson has now returned two picks for scores in the four games since he returned from a league-mandated suspension.

"Obviously, we made adjustments," said Jackson. "I think it was our will to win this game."

CHERISHED VICTORY: For Bucs players who had endured 11 consecutive setbacks, Sunday's victory brought joy and sighs of relief.

For Joe Barry, it brought back distant memories.

"My last win had been on December 23, 2007 in Detroit," said Barry, who returned this season as Tampa Bay's LBs coach after two years as defensive coordinator of the Lions.

The Lions dropped their final game in 2007 and all 16 last year, so Barry was facing a 25th consecutive loss until the Bucs upset the Packers.

"We all needed this – Raheem Morris, Joe Barry … everyone," he said. "Green Bay is a darned good football team and we had to have all three phases contributing today. Our defense in the second half gives us something to build on."

THROW IT BACK AGAIN

Although most current players weren't yet born when Tampa Bay originally broke out its 1976 uniforms, not everyone is in a hurry to put them in a box.

"We have to get into some negotiations to see if we can put on our orange some more," Morris said. "It would be nice. I'll go talk to our owners here in a little bit, maybe make some phone calls this weekend."

EXTRA POINTS: When Cadillac Williams ran into the locker room, Tampa Bay's leading rusher shouted, "We got one, we got one." … Aqib Talib's third-quarter pick gives the second-year CB five interceptions on the season, halfway to Ronde Barber's single-season record set in 2001 …Bucs S Tanard Jackson recorded his third interception this season and sixth of his career. Jackson has returned two interceptions for TDs this season … Bucs rookie WR Sammie Stroughter's 7-yard TD reception was the first of his career … Tampa Bay CB Aqib Talib grabbed his fifth interception of the season, setting a new career single-season high after having four last year.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson contributed to this report

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