A Dismantling: Bucs Dominate Panthers In 27-3 Victory

Jovan Haye, the Bucs' 285-pound defensive tackle, turned a cartwheel. And that was during the game. By the time the game was over, everybody in pewter and red had reason to turn cartwheels.

Tampa Bay's 27-3 dismantling of the previously red hot Carolina Panthers on Sunday moved the Bucs into a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South. Tampa Bay (4-2) shares that spot with Carolina and Atlanta.

A collective effort made it possible. The Bucs scored on Geno Hayes' blocked punt and return for a touchdown, and intercepted Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme three times.

Running back Warrick Dunn ran 22 times for 115 yards, becoming the first back this season to rush for 100 yards against the Panthers. Often, Dunn followed the lead of Earnest Graham, who volunteered to take over at fullback after starter Byron Storer left the game early in the first quarter with a right knee sprain.

"Earnest Graham sacrificed himself and gave up his body for this team today," said Dunn, who also tied for the team lead with three receptions.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia started for the first time since the season opener in New Orleans and looked like a completely different player, completing 15 of 20 throws for 173 yards and a touchdown.

"The thing I'm happiest about is that I didn't turn the ball over," Garcia said.

Garcia gave high marks to Haye for keeping his "legs straight" during his cartwheel, which came after Jermaine Phillips' interception in the end zone in the second quarter. Officials were less impressed. Haye was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, for which he later apologized.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden believes the NFL should apologize for not allowing players to display their emotions.

"A guy does a back flip, a guy does a cartwheel - I don't know exactly what it was that we did wrong," Gruden said.

On Sunday, not much.