MORE
Most Recent Entries
- Sears Return Remains On Slow Road
- It's WildPat, Not Wildcat
- White, Bryant To Miss Miami Game
- Dolphins have toughness Bucs want
- Antonio Bryant Out And Maurice Stovall In
- Adams Replacement Finally In Place
- It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like 1976
- Bryant Blames Plane Ride For Debilitating Knee Pain
- Freeman ready for first start
- Marcus Jones fights tonight on Spike TV
- Returner Clifton Smith has memento of vicious hit
- Creamsicle not to everyone's taste
- Bucs change kickers - again
- Morris downplays report of Talib confrontation
- Rodgers tough to pick off, easy to sack
Monthly Archives
|
Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden was still beaming with pride during his Monday morning news conference a day after the Bucs knocked off Kansas City, 30-27, in overtime.
Gruden was proud of his team’s effort, and with Tampa Bay having a bye week, it was a win his team needed - and deserved.
“It helps you [gain confidence],” Gruden said. “I think success is a great motivator and confidence builder, but this team has done it all year.
“We came from behind in the fourth quarter against Green Bay. We came from behind in the fourth quarter at Chicago. This is a team that plays for 60 minutes. We’ve fallen short a couple of times, but in our three losses, we were knocking on the door in those games, too. It’s a solid football team that plays hard. I’m really proud of the guys, and hopefully we can get some players well that need to get well.”
Gruden was referring to health of RB Earnest Graham (knee) and TE Alex Smith (knee), who both sustained injuries against Kansas City. Both players were being evaluated on Monday, and the Bucs might reveal their status later this week.
Graham’s injury was significant because Tampa Bay was without RB Warrick Dunn (back) and FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) heading into Kansas City. Instead of leaning on backup RB Michael Bennett, Gruden went with rookie RB Clifton Smith, who has become a playmaker Gruden wants on the field.
“He really helped us not only in the kicking game but from scrimmage,” Gruden said. “Earnest went out in the first half and missed a few possessions and gritted it out, but on those final couple of drives, you saw a lot of Clifton Smith as a runner and a receiver, picking up the blitz, knowing what to do. It’s a real credit to him, and certainly [running backs coach] Rich Bisaccia and [assistant running backs coach] Tim Berbenich have done a great job with him.
“You look at him, and he’s not a tall guy, but he’s a very thick and quick, shifty, elusive back. He’s a natural. He understands the game and shows great poise for a young player. That’s just a credit to him.”
Gruden was also not at any loss of words when it came to describing WR Antonio Bryant’s recent surge. Bryant had eight receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown and has quickly become Tampa Bay’s biggest offensive weapon.
“He was a superstar yesterday. Lets be honest,” Gruden said. “Two one-handed catches. An unbelievable catch on the touchdown to make it 27-25. After the catch as a blocker.
“He was a great receiver on the tape I looked at this morning. He’s our leading receiver, and he’s got two 100-yard games in the last three outings, and he’s running all the routes. He has great stamina and I’m really happy for him.”
It appears players will be given the rest of this week off and return to practice next Monday to prepare for their home game against Minnesota on Nov. 16.
Posted by NUCIFUBUC, LAS VEGAS,NV on 11/05 at 04:41 AM
“IS IT TRUE THAT BUCS ARE LOOKING AT DEANGELO HALL”
Sources: Raiders look at releasing CB Hall as soon as Wednesday
Oakland Raiders’ 2-6 start, team owner Al Davis asked his front office staff to explore the possibility of releasing several players, including cornerback DeAngelo Hall, according to multiple sources.
The Raiders are expected to release Hall on Wednesday, sources told ESPN’s Michael Smith.
Posted by Brandon, Woodbridge, Va on 11/04 at 08:24 AM
CD,
This shows how little you know, the league is past the trading deadline, Bennett nor any other player can be traded… also we improved to 6-3, not 6-2.
Larry,
That’s easy to say when you have no idea how to play football. You see there were these guys that were in Garcia’s face tryihg to sack him and these other guys trying to keep him from completing the pass, the ball just happened to be low, Hilliard came back for it and he didn’t make it in to the endzone. I suppose you think you could do better? Not throwing underhanded or like a girl you couldn’t!
Posted by tatmanfish, tampa on 11/04 at 02:30 AM
gruden haters, its time to eat the big one, so suck on this…........That 2002 season coincided with an NFL realignment that created the NFC South. In the first six years of that division’s existence, the Buccaneers won three division titles; every other team in the South has won it just once. That accomplishment is even more impressive when matched with the first 26 seasons of Tampa Bay football. The Bucs won three division titles in their first six years under Gruden; they had won one in the previous 20 years.
Posted by tatmanfish, tampa on 11/04 at 02:12 AM
the bucs DO have solid WRs, maybe not a true #1 but solid. the bucs backfield does have depth(graham,dunn,bennet,smith, and maybe a cadi), and this is the best Oline the bucs have had. so if the bucs cant get the ball downfield whos responsible? gruden doesnt play QB. i guess that leaves Garcia. he manages games because he cant throw well beyond 25+ yards, but thats probably grudens fault too.
Posted by SANDY FERNANDEZ, RIVERVIEW,FL on 11/03 at 11:21 PM
Did anyone also notice the contribution made by none other than #80,Michael Clayton,what a game this guy is having this year,he’s 1 reason Bryant and Hilliard are open,also Tight ends!!I would say he is taking respnsibility for his previous seasons and id fast becoming the man again!!
Posted by rick boucher, tampa bay on 11/03 at 11:11 PM
Geez, the Bucs didnt deserve to win that game at all. A blind squirrel gets a nut every once in a while. They were out played and out coached. The trick plays of KC made our “hallowed” defense standing there trying to pick up their undies. I think Ronde has a permanent brown stain on his pants. Garcia played well, but Gruden will have you believe that the Bucs were beating a 1-6 team all afternoon and that simply is not the case. The offensive genius and his 3 yard dink & dunk are not winning us games. The opponents mistakes are.
Posted by DanDee, tampa on 11/03 at 10:48 PM
Real Sports Talk WDAE Anti-Buc station
Posted by Slueter, on 11/03 at 09:31 PM
GO BUCS!!!! How a ‘bout a round of “HECK YES”. A win is a win is a win!! The Bucs can now comeback in a game. Any nay-sayers can just sulk, BUCS WIN!!! (whaa whaa - we did not win by 28 pts)
Posted by Larry Norris, Tampa, Fl on 11/03 at 05:25 PM
Larry was trying to say that going into OT against a 1-6 team full of rookies and a 3rd string QB ,then the team wasn’t prepared. Going into camp all coach Guru talked about was how great ALL the receivers looked,how he had 3 great running backs behind the best Off. line he’s ever had. And yet we can’t throw the ball down the field.Coach Guru needs to start thinking 7pts.instead of 3pts.
Posted by tatmanfish, tampa on 11/03 at 04:53 PM
larry, gruden is not the qb or reciever. hilliard ran along the front of the endzone(not half a yard deeper) and garcia put the ball on the ground. how is that grudens fault? cd, when the bucs went for the first conversion it would have brought the bucs within 3 points. thats a field goal. they are easier to get than tds. But you know more than most nfl coaches so im sure you already knew that.
Posted by oar, on 11/03 at 04:51 PM
You guys crack me up with this blame gruden crap all the time. Larry and cd how can it be grudens fault that gracia didnt hit a receiver in the endzone on that 2 pt try or his fault for the guy not pushing into the endzone? I guess it was his fault for the int and the fumbles.
Bennett can not pick up blitzs/blocking packages(ie: did you see the great blitz pick up by Clifton Smith?) They are a must for players in the west coast scheme.
Posted by Donald Ellis, Mobile on 11/03 at 03:46 PM
Larry. Develop a brain. Players have two legs and are allowed to run in the NFL after the catch.
Posted by cd, usf alumn sad on 11/03 at 03:39 PM
Is Gruden looking to trade Bennett??? Doghouse for Clifton Smith - at lease CS is better than your second round selection.
The early 2 point conversion was unnecessary. Very POOR judgment considering that 1TD either ties or wins THE GAME OUTRIGHT assuming your defense doesn’t allow 1 more KC TD. WTF? Lucky Jon Gruden! And lets hope it stays that way. GO Bryant and Clayton!!! Garcia still missed Galloway…come on… Joey was WIDE OPEN for the TD. All in all many thanks to all the players for hanging in there for the win and 6-2. GO BUCS!
Posted by Lou C, Largo on 11/03 at 02:16 PM
I hope this isn’t how they plan on winning the rest of the games. I don’t understand how the defense can’t stop QB’s that are either OLD or ROOKIE. Brad did them in last week and this KC guy almost did them in this week. I think the bucs play down to the team there playing. They play the top teams hard and the poor teams poor. Need to take the all games as top teams.
Posted by Larry Norris, Tampa, Fl on 11/03 at 01:14 PM
Coach, When going for 2PTS. You have to throw into the in zone. That’s 3 yds., not 2. Almost cost you the game.
Advertisement
Send Us Your Comments |
Terms & Conditions |
* Comments Must Include Full Name And Location
Posted by GTB, Tampa on 11/05 at 01:36 PM
The sports animal needs to release the BIG DRUNK Steve DUImig,