DE Adams Knows He Must Do Better

Bucs DE Gaines Adams understands more is expected of him than any player on Tampa Bay's defensive line.

Adams was the team's No. 1 draft pick, fourth overall, in 2007. He was projected to be the next Mario Williams, the No. 1 pick by Houston in 2006, and he is expected to have a breakthrough season in 2008. But he did not meet those expectations in the season-opening loss to New Orleans.

Adams had one tackle and no sacks against the Saints, and he knows he must play better Sunday in the home opener against Atlanta to be mentioned among the NFL's elite defensive ends.

"As a player in this league, you want to get to the quarterback in time, but obviously you can't," Adams said. "That's the mind-frame you have to have. I've got to step it up in the rush. We all have to do that as a front line."

DE Greg White was the only lineman to get a sack against New Orleans.

Atlanta rookie QB Matt Ryan attempted only 13 passes during last week's 34-21 victory against Detroit, and if the Falcons' running game is successful again, Tampa Bay knows its pass-rushing opportunities will be limited.

"New Orleans loves to throw the ball, but a team like Atlanta loves to run the ball, so we've got to stop the run," DT Jovan Haye said. "If we don't stop the run, he's probably going to throw the ball 10 times like he did last week. We definitely have to get after them in the run game and force them to pass."

INJURED PLAYERS IMPROVING: Bucs coach Jon Gruden is getting closer to having all of his injured players healthy.Gruden said LB Derrick Brooks (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, while QB Jeff Garcia was limited. Brooks could play Sunday if he continues to improve, but that will be a game-time decision.

"His status is not going to change in terms of the game Sunday," Gruden said. "We'll have to let you know when we get to the stadium."

WR Maurice Stovall (back) was limited in practice, but Gruden was optimistic about the progress of RG Davin Joseph (broken foot) and RB Cadillac Williams (knee).

Gruden said Joseph is no longer wearing a protective boot, and he could return within two weeks, while Williams is recovering satisfactorily from last year's knee injury. Williams began the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, so he is not eligible to return until after Week 6.

"We're anxious to take the car Caddy out of the shop and drive it," Gruden said. "Nice paint job on it. It looks good. On the other front, I can't really say until we put him out there in a football uniform and see. We're confident he's rehabbing and all things are on the rise."

BUCS EXPECTING SELLOUT: There are still tickets available for Sunday's home opener, but Bucs officials are not worried about the game not being sold out and being unavailable on local television.

"We have a very limited amount of seats left, but we expect the game to be sold out," said Jeff Kamis, Tampa Bay's director of public relations. "It will absolutely not be blacked out."

Since Raymond James Stadium opened in 1998, all 84 regular-season and postseason games have been sold out. Tampa Bay's fan support has helped the team amass a 52-28 home record (2-2 in the playoffs).

BUCS BITS: Gruden has a 2-5 record in season openers with the Bucs after last week's loss against New Orleans, but in Week 2 games he is 3-3. Under Gruden, Tampa Bay began its season twice with consecutive losses, finishing 5-11 in 2005 and 4-12 in 2006 ... Tampa Bay has won 11 of its past 15 meetings against Atlanta ... Tampa Bay's defense is ranked 28th in the NFL; the passing defense is 31st.

Anwar S. Richardson