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Rookie Stroughter honored

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By IRA KAUFMAN and ROY CUMMINGS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2009

TAMPA - Bucs rookie Sammie Stroughter was named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday.

Stroughter returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in Sunday's 28-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers. He finished with three kick returns for 142 yards.

"With any kind of return, you've got to get through two or three people; you have to make one or two miss to have an effective return," Stroughter said Wednesday. "But the guys did a great job of putting hats on guys and getting blocks and opening it up. It was one of those deals where I said, 'I'm not getting stopped. No way.'"

A receiver drafted in the seventh round, Stroughter filled in for Pro Bowl returner Clifton Smith, who sustained a concussion earlier in the game when Carolina's Dante Wesley hit him illegally while Smith attempted to field a punt. Wesley was fined $36,000 and suspended one game for his hit.

Stroughter is the third player in franchise history to return a kickoff for a touchdown. His 97-yarder late in the third quarter matched the team record set by Smith last season against Kansas City.

Little time to explore

The Bucs are doing their best to make this weekend's Atlantic Crossing a quick business trip.

Players, coaches and support staff are leaving Friday for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots at London's Wembley Stadium, knowing there won't be much of an opportunity to explore.

"We won't have a lot of time to do what we want to do - and that's probably a good thing," RG Davin Joseph said. "I want to look around a little bit when we get there, but we all realize we have a game to play. It's really not the ideal vacation. I'll probably meet a lot of cool people and have some good food."

The Patriots are departing after this afternoon's practice and Bucs WR Michael Clayton prefers Tampa Bay's travel itinerary.

"From my experiences, the earlier you fly over, the worse it is for you to adjust," he said. "We're playing a game a day after we arrive and I think that physically, it's the right way to go. The longer I've stayed somewhere, it's been more difficult to adjust to the time difference. I don't know why that is. We'll have a 12 o'clock curfew once we get there. There's not a lot of time to go out and do sightseeing, but London has some nice shops. I know I'd better come back with something for my wife."

Even New England coach Bill Belichick, admittedly a creature of habit, is looking forward to a fresh challenge.

"We'll be there by early Friday morning and we'll have to make the adjustment," said Belichick, 127-40 with the Patriots. "This time, we're heading east, a different direction for us. There are probably pros and cons to whatever approach you pick. I've been in this league a long time and never really had a game like this. It certainly breaks up your routine."

Hype central

When Belichick finished his Wednesday conference call with the Tampa Bay media, it was unclear whether he was preparing for the 2009 Buccaneers or the 1985 Chicago Bears.

New England's future Hall of Fame head coach talked up the 0-6 Buccaneers as a promising club brimming with star power.

"I see the Bucs as a relatively young team that's talented," said Belichick, who led the Patriots to three Super Bowl wins this decade and an 11-5 mark last year with Matt Cassel replacing an injured Tom Brady under center. "I think they're getting better each week. They're coming together and executing. You just can't afford to be sloppy or not execute well because there's enough talent on the field to make you pay for it."

Despite Tampa Bay's brutal start, Belichick sees potential all over the field.

"Aqib Talib's as good a corner as we've faced this year," he said. "If you throw the ball around him and you're not careful, he's going to end up with it. The same thing with (Tanard) Jackson. We've got to defend a great set of backs. The Bucs can hurt you in a lot of ways. They're explosive and they're dangerous. They're great in the kicking game. We haven't faced a quarterback like (Josh) Johnson that has that kind of mobility and speed or a middle linebacker like Barrett Ruud that makes every tackle. I hope we'll be able to be competitive against them."

Injury update

DT Chris Hovan (ankle) and Smith (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. Clayton (hamstring), Ruud (elbow) and DT Ryan Sims (hand) were limited.

For the Patriots, T Matt Light (knee), RBs Fred Taylor (ankle) and Sammy Morris (knee), CB Darius Butler (ankle) and WR Julian Edelman (forearm) did not participate Wednesday.

Extra points

The Bucs claimed second-year G Shawn Murphy off waivers from Miami. ... The Buccaneer flag outside the team facility was flying at half-staff to honor the memory of Jay Campbell, who died Tuesday evening. Campbell worked for the organization in radio sales.

Ira Kaufman, Roy Cummings

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