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Bucs-Patriots key matchups

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2009

Bucs QB Josh Johnson vs. Bucs WRs Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton

First it was Michael Clayton. Then it was Antonio Bryant. In successive weeks, the Bucs' top wideouts complained publicly about not getting enough passes thrown their way. This bubbling situation has the potential to boil, but Bucs first-year starting quarterback Josh Johnson can't let that affect the way he's playing the game.

Yes, the Bucs need Johnson to be a little more daring with his throws. They also need to get Clayton and Bryant more involved in the offense. At the same time, Johnson can't ignore his comfort zone. Johnson has developed a good working chemistry with tight end Kellen Winslow and rookie receiver Sammie Stroughter. Johnson can't worry about keeping Clayton and Bryant happy.

The solution is simple. Clayton needs to be more consistent and Bryant needs to get to practice more regularly. That will give Johnson the confidence he needs to get them the ball and make them happy.

Bucs CB Aqib Talib vs. Patriots WR Randy Moss

Talib is going to give up a few inches of height in this battle, but that won't bother him much. He gave up a few inches to Terrell Owens of Buffalo and held him in check for a good part of the game.

Talib is a physical player and that's what you have to be to slow Moss. Moss is a big guy who can outjump just about any cornerback in the league and run away from a lot of others after the catch. But he has a tendency to get frustrated if he's pressed hard at the line.

The Bucs have been playing more Cover 2 in recent weeks. This, though, is a game in which they may want to devise some type of hybrid defense in which the safeties protect against the big play in the deep secondary while Talib plays man-on-man with Moss.

Moss is still Tom Brady's favorite target, but Talib can limit the number of times Brady looks his way if he can get in his face at the line, knock him off his routes and disrupt his timing.

Bucs DTs Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims vs. Patriots RBs Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is no idiot. He's seen the tape of the Bucs and seen how power running teams have consistently pounded the middle of their defense for big yards this year. Belichick is sure to take a similar approach today, despite the fact his corps of running backs is a little banged up.

Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris are the kind of runners who can get big yards against the Bucs because they're powerful and have a knack for gaining extra yards after contact, turning 2- and 3-yard gains into 4- and 5-yard gains.

Sims and Hovan are the first line of defense against runners like that, and need to step up their games after being gouged for big yards by the Panthers last week.

Opponents are going to keep pounding the Bucs until the Bucs make them stop.

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