Carolina WR Steve Smith has history of burning Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense used to stop opponents in grand fashion, but now it's giving up big plays in huge style.

The Bucs gave up just six pass completions of 40 or more yards during the entire 2008 season, despite losing four straight games in December.

Through five games this season, however, Tampa Bay has already yielded eight.

It is a problem the Bucs (0-5) hope to correct against Carolina (1-3) on Sunday.

"We look at the tape of all the big plays, trying to find the answer and solution as far as what we do," defensive coordinator Jim Bates said. "We do make tweaks every week in the game plan. We make tweaks with technique, trying to fit what's going to be best for us to take away the big play.

"Throughout the year, there haven't been teams that have taken four or five yards in the running game, play pass for 10 and drive the length of the field without a big play in the mix ... Our biggest thing is the big plays, eliminate the big plays."

In order for Tampa Bay to eliminate big plays against Carolina, the Bucs will have to find a way to slow down Panthers receiver Steve Smith.

Since 2005, Smith has played against Tampa Bay eight times and caught for more than 100 yards in six of those games. Smith failed to reach the 100-yard mark twice against the Bucs in 2007, mainly because quarterback Jake Delhomme was placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury.

"Steve Smith has always been an issue," Bucs head coach Raheem Morris said. "I'm sure he'll be talking to me on Sunday. I hope they line up on the other side of the field most of the day. You're talking about one of the premier receives in this league, if not arguably the best.

"He's tough to deal with. He can do it all. He's tough. He's physical. He gets the ball in his hands and he's tough to get on the ground. He can catch it deep. He can catch it short. He does it all. He has been a premier blocker in his day. I don't know if he is still a premier blocker, but he can do it when he wants to."

Morris said FB B.J. Askew (back/neck) did not participate in practice for a second consecutive day because of a car accident he suffered earlier this week. After today's practice, Morris said he was unsure how severe Askew's injuries were.

In addition, TE Jerramy Stevens (quad) did not practice, WR Antonio Bryant (knee) was limited, while OT Donald Penn (ankle), DE Jimmy Wilkerson (knee), C Jeff Faine (triceps), RB Earnest Graham (hamstring), DE Kyle Moore (knee) and RB Clifton Smith (ankle) fully participated.