Gruden News Conference Transcript - Oct. 1

Bucs coach Jon Gruden discusses the season-ending injuries to Cadillac Williams and Luke Petitgout, Sunday's game against Indianpolis, and other topics.

HEAD COACH JON GRUDEN

(On the Carolina game and injured players)
''I'm really pleased with our performance yesterday for the most part. Obviously, we lost two key members of our football team for the season. Carnell Williams and Luke Petitgout will have season-ending surgery this week. That's a big blow. They're great guys. We have some people that need to step up now. We certainly support them and wish them the very best in their recovery. It's a tough day that way, but we're very happy with the win, and we're also very excited about the challenge that awaits us this week versus Indianapolis.''

(On if the Bucs will use RB/FB Michael Pittman and RB Earnest Graham to fill the hole with Carnell Williams out)
''That's what it appears to be at this point in time. I know the personnel people will work up there to try to replace the roster spots the best way we can.''

(On how hard it is to lose two key members of the offense)
''Well, you lose a lot of skill. You lose a lot of skill. Watching Philadelphia yesterday play without their left tackle and without their running back, you know it's not an easy thing to overcome. Experience and production at those positions is something every offense relies on. But we're confident in [T] Donald Penn. We're confident that he can go. He's done a good job for us. We think [T] Anthony Davis has proven in his past that he can play the position. Michael Pittman helped us win a couple division championships here and Earnest Graham is clearly a capable runner and receiver. We'll move on and do the best we can in the absence of these two players.''

(On if things can go from positive to negative quickly in the NFL)
''Unfortunately, that's part of the business. Sometimes you hear the old Wally Pipp story, you know, a guy that fills in and becomes a great performer for a long time. And sometimes teams struggle for years on end trying to replace a guy who departs or gets injured. This story will be told here in the coming weeks.''

(On the team constantly losing key members to injury)
''I don't feel snake bitten; I feel very excited at this point. Yeah, we've had some catastrophic, I don't know if catastrophic is the word, I think about hurricanes and things like that. I'm just very proud of our football team. I want to focus my comments today on being 3-1 and rallying around a group of guys that we have on this football team. We have a lot of confidence and we are going to have to move on.''

(On the special teams)
''We have done a great job. As we said in training camp we have a lot of young players and new players. I think the speed and athleticism has shown up on special teams. Not only our return game, but our coverage units have been very good. It certainly helps when guys like [P Josh] Bidwell and [K Matt] Bryant are placing the ball, hanging the ball like they are. We are improved and as you said, that field position is a big part of winning games.''

(On the defense)
''That is one of things that we are very proud of. [WR] Steve [Smith] is a phenomenal talent; they are very creative on how they use him. I thought Monte Kiffin and his defensive coaches did a great job organizing the plan, and our players executed tremendously. We mixed up some looks, we had pretty good pass rush at times. When he did get the ball we were able to get him down or knock him out of bounds. It was a collaborative effort by a lot of people. He has really stung us bad. I think the last four times he had over 100 yards and to hold him under 20 was clearly a winning edge in the game yesterday.''

(On chances with Jeff Garcia at quarterback)
''I remember I drove from Green Bay to hear [former Vikings Head Coach] Bud Grant speak. Bud Grant said every head coach needs three things: he needs a patient wife, a loyal dog, and a heck of a quarterback. And not necessarily in that order. We have a heck of a quarterback and he gives us a chance. The guy gives us a chance, every given Sunday he gives us a chance. I'm really impressed. Forget his playmaking and what he has done between the lines, but what he does in this building and off the field is really important for our football team.''

(Biggest difficulty in repeating as champion)
''Sometimes good fortune is hard to repeat. I remember [FB Mike] Alstott and [WR Joe] Jurevicius being carried off the field. I remember [CB] Brian Kelly going down early. You lose three to four key performers, sometimes you don't have as much good fortune as maybe you would like to of had during your Super Bowl season. So far, I really don't know the Colts injury history. But they're great football team and obviously Coach Dungy is a tremendous coach and they have an excellent staff as well. [Colts General Manager] Bill Polian has done a tremendous job; he's been there building that football team. I think sometimes repeating your good fortune, in terms of staying healthy, is a big part of it.''

(On team and its coaches)
''Coach Dungy is a legend here and in the country as a football coach. God bless him. He is a very influential man in this business and I have a lot of respect for him. But this game will be decided by the Colts and the Buccaneers players in my opinion. I know Coach Dungy and myself do the best we can to get our guys ready to roll.''

(On first quarter of season)
''Obviously, we'll have a different team in the second quarter of the season, a different feature back, a different left tackle so we will have to focus our concentration on some change a little bit today and tomorrow. We have a different group of opponents this second quarter of the season. Just like the first quarter started at Seattle, at Indianapolis it's a tall order. It will be a great challenge for us, but we're excited about it.''

(On playing the Colts)
''We're going to get ready to go, we're going to get ready to go. We'll be there, we're going to compete. We realize the Colts are very talented, we will probably be a heavy underdog, but we will be there and we'll do the best we can to find a way to win.''

(On if winning is contagious in Tampa)
''I think so, I just don't get out enough to see much. My kids are big fans, they go to the games. I know Coach Leavitt personally, I'm a big fan of his. I'm excited about what Lou Piniella has done with the Chicago Cubs. I'm very happy to see him have the success he's had. I better get back to work now, I think I've talked enough.''