Notebook: Galloway Has Shot A Pro Bowl

TAMPA Thirteen seasons and more than 10,000 yards later, Joey Galloway still doesn't regard a paid trip to Hawaii as validation of an accomplished NFL career.

Tampa Bay's 36-year-old WR has never made a Pro Bowl appearance, but Galloway would appear to have a credible shot at the NFC squad this year, with an average of 17.8 yards per reception that tops all players with at least 35 catches.

"It wouldn't mean as much as a Super Bowl," Galloway said of his Pro Bowl chances. "Playoff are more important than other stuff I can't control. It [Pro Bowl] is recognition, but if I wanted recognition, I'd probably talk more about myself. Winning games is really what matters."

Bucs coach Jon Gruden doesn't mind talking about Galloway, whose career average of 15.79 yards per catch leads all active players.

"Guys don't come on this planet like Galloway very often," Gruden said. "Hopefully, he makes it. Hopefully, our voters out there will head to the computer and type his name in there, because he is one heck of a football player. I'll tell you that."

Galloway is only 22 yards from his sixth 1,000-yard season, and he is the only NFL player with eight catches of 40 or more yards this year.

"He brings such tremendous opportunity on the field with the mismatches he creates, the big-play potential," said QB Jeff Garcia, who confirmed he'll be back for Sunday's game against Atlanta. "His knowledge of the game is second to none and he's just a steady, steady guy. He comes to work every Sunday expecting to make a big play."

With only three postseason games in his NFL résumé, Galloway is eager to wrap up the NFC South championship Sunday and proceed to the next goal.

"The longer you're around, the more you appreciate how hard it is to do it," Galloway said, referring to pending playoff possibilities. "We're excited about the opportunity before us. In '05 we got in and didn't do very well. We plan to go a little further."

INJURY UPDATE: Bucs FB B.J. Askew (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, while WR Ike Hilliard (back) was limited in his participation. Garcia, who missed the past two games with a deep back bruise, and DE Greg Spires (calf) returned at full strength.

"There's no beating around the bush, I'm definitely playing this week and I feel great," said Garcia, the NFC's third-rated passer. "I don't feel any discomfort or pain. I feel everything's back to normal."

Hilliard suffered an upper-body injury in Sunday's 28-14 loss at Houston when he was hit hard by S Will Demps and fumbled following a second-quarter reception.

"To be honest with you, it's a sore body," Gruden said. "He's had ankle problems, he's had upper back problems ... he's just a sore guy. There's nothing structurally wrong - he's just very sore from the game. But he'll be OK, I think."

Hilliard was unavailable for comment, but Galloway expects his 31-year-old teammate to play against the 3-10 Falcons.

"It's very impressive what he's been able to do at his age," Galloway said with a grin. "Ike takes a lot of hits and he comes in here on Monday walking like an old man, but he shows up on Sunday and plays well."

FRESH START: Gruden offered support for TE Jerramy Stevens, suspended by the league for Sunday's game following his conviction on an extreme DUI charge for an incident nine months ago in Arizona.

"I support the commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I believe in everything he stands for," Gruden said. "Jerramy had a well-documented off-the-field incident. There has been a trial and a result. In Jerramy Stevens' behalf, he has turned it around here. He's really a good kid. He's got to bury that part of the past and step up. He's going to get that opportunity here."

TE Keith Heinrich, who hasn't dressed for the last four games, is slated to be active Sunday in place of Stevens, who caught the winning TD pass at New Orleans on Dec. 2.

BUC BITS: Tampa Bay signed RB Zack Crockett and promoted RB Kenneth Darby from the practice squad to the active roster. RB Lionel Gates was released and TE Zac Herold was added to the practice squad. ... Interim Falcons coach Emmitt Thomas said QB Chris Redman will make his second consecutive start.