Bucs' Antonio Bryant misses practice after knee injury

The Bucs offense on Monday bounced back from a poor outing the day before, but without one of its top producers.

Receiver Antonio Bryant missed the morning workout and probably will miss a few more with a sore knee.

"I just banged my knee and it swelled up,'' Bryant said.

Bryant is day-to-day, according to Coach Raheem Morris. Bryant is not expected to participate in today's late-afternoon practice. With a special teams workout scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday appears the earliest Bryant might return.

A day after facing the wrath of Morris, Tampa Bay's offense earned plaudits from the rookie head coach.

The Bucs offense appeared lethargic for much of Sunday's afternoon workout, but the quarterbacks and line returned Monday morning determined to execute crisply for fans who weathered stifling heat and humidity at the team complex.

"A lot better,'' Morris said of Monday's performance by an offense still learning Jeff Jagodzinski's new terminology. "Those guys met last night and came together today with a plan. I saw a new tempo and our quarterbacks had control of the huddle. Those guys were riled up. They took that stuff personally - that's the sign of a good group.''

The morning practice featured an emphasis on work in the red zone, an area where the Bucs struggled to generate touchdowns in 2008.

"Our timing looked good down there,'' Morris said. "You know what you're going to get in the red zone and if you can run down there, that will make you effective. You've got to run the football to open up the passing game.''

Luke McCown hit Maurice Stovall with a touchdown pass and Byron Leftwich hit Jameel Cook with a throw that likely would have produced another score.

"Our mentality is to be fearless in the red zone, not careless,'' McCown said. "When the opportunity is there to stick one in there we're going to give our receivers a chance to make a play.''

Morris said second-year pro Jeremy Zuttah is making quick strides working at left guard, where he figures to start in the mysterious absence of Arron Sears. Zuttah is extremely intelligent and Morris would like to see a little more aggression from the former Rutgers standout.

"Jeremy's such a nice kid,'' Morris said. "Now he has to have a little nastiness to him.''

Tight end Kellen Winslow (ankle), receiver Joel Filani (hamstring) and linebacker Angelo Crowell (hamstring) missed portions of practice after sustaining injuries. None sounds serious. Defensive lineman Greg Peterson (knee) returned to practice.