Game 7: Bucs at Giants

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First, some notable items in today's St. Petersburg Times:

• Are there two other guys who have the world on a string like Ronde and Tiki Barber?  Joanne Korth documented the twins' many appearances together in New York, but come game time Ronde says Tiki is "just No. 21 in blue." (2003 Times photo; click to enlarge.)
• Columnists John Romano and Gary Shelton discussed the Barbers' Hall of Fame credentials. Gary said: "Think of the money the Hall could save by sculpting the same bust twice."
• Blue Adams told Stephen F. Holder that his German shepherd can go into the refrigerator and fetch his Gatorade. The dog also can tear a hole in your throat.

So, the Bucs face another high-octane offense. The league's leading running back (Tiki), a Manning at quarterback (Eli), but what concerns me are the defensive ends.

Michael Strahan (click to enlarge AP photo) can break a tie with Lawrence Taylor for most sacks in team history. That said, his opposite end, Osi Umenyiora, has more sacks this year (five to Strahan's three). Umenyiora, something less than a household name, is No. 72 and was a Pro Bowler last year.

They represent a huge challenge for Bucs tackles Jeremy Trueblood and Anthony Davis, and whatever help the Bucs provide. Here's hoping Umenyiora's hip injury limits his playing time. Typing his name is a bear.

Let's watch some football.

FIRST QUARTER

• Well, winds of 25-35 mph at Giants Stadium. which likely means a heavy dose of Tiki and Cadillac Williams. Punters and placekickers, beware. They just showed Matt Bryant practicing field goals. The football went straight for 20 yards, then boomeranged right. Look for a long return or two.
• Our announcers are Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan.
• Good news. This may be the last time I'm typing Umenyiora, who isn't starting.
• Three-and-out for Bucs. Low, short punt in the wind. Giants ball near midfield.
• Manning's one completion in four tries is a bullet for 11 yards. The other three passes sail. So, what's the wise coverage strategy? Tight and take away the short ball?
• Jeff Feagles 1, Josh Bidwell 0. Giants kill punt at Bucs 5.
• Strahan, who is playing now at 252 pounds, blows by Trueblood on inside rush. Bucs getting no push on running plays.
• Bidwell nukes punt 54 yards, but Giants again near midfield.
• Plaxico Burress has come clean three times, twice for first downs.
• %#$$$@%!! Bucs lineman whiffs on a sack. Manning escapes and throws for another first down.
• Seems every Buc involved in tackling Tiki rubs him on the head after the play. Might Gruden say something if the score heads south?

Giants 7, Bucs 0. Burress owns Ronde at this point. At 6-feet-6, Burress reaches over 5-10 Ronde and one-hands a touchdown. Manning is 4-of-4 on the drive.

• When the Bucs offense does something other than punt, you'll be the first to know.

SECOND QUARTER

• Bruce Gradkowski sacked but fumble bounces back to him. Here comes . . .  drum roll . . .  the punter.
• Simeon Rice swats third-down pass, but Feagles pins Bucs again. Bucs possessions have started at 24, 5, 20, 21 and now the 4. Giants have started at 43, 47, Tampa Bay 48, and 46.
• And now the Bucs' 41 after a fifth possession without a first down.
• Jeremy Shockey's fourth-down drop ends drive in Bucs' end of field.

Giants 14, Bucs 0. Cadillac fumbles a pitchout. Another Burress catch. Brandon Jacobs touchdown.

• First down, Bucs!
• Two good-looking long balls by Gradkowski. Joey Galloway drops both.
• Gift from Giants: Offside on Bucs punt. First down near midfield. Bucs need to cash in.
• Hey, a big gainer to Galloway, but Anthony Becht is called for pass interference. Yeesh.
• Michael Clayton's first mention is bad news. He's unable to haul in Gradkowski's floater in the end zone.

Giants 14, Bucs 3. Wow. Bryant pierces the wind from from 43 yards.

HALFTIME

Some numbers to digest, then regurgitate:

• Gradkowski, 4-of-15, 37 yards.
• Cadillac, 5 carries, 4 yards.
• Burress, 4 catches, 56 yards, touchdown.
• Bucs offense: 72 yards, four first downs.

THIRD QUARTER

• Jermaine Phillips misses Tiki in the backfield, then Ronde misses little brother on the edge. Big gain.
• With 18 yards, Gradkowski is the Bucs' leading rusher. He's also 8-for-26 passing for 73 yards. Ugh.
• Ellis Wyms gets his fourth sack in three games. Gritty return by Ike Hilliard into Giants' end of field.
• On 3rd-and-5, Gradkowski quickly takes check-down to tight for no gain. On fourth down, complete to Clayton for first-down yardage. But Clayton's fumble bounces backward. Gradkowski's recovery is well short of first down.
• Defense is getting pressure on Manning. Tiki averaging just over 3 yards a rush. (Of course, Cadillac has no carries in the second half and still 4 yards gained.)
• Hard to watch Derrick Brooks missing tackle on Tiki catch. Barrett Ruud now playing for injured Shelton Quarles.
• Just like that, Cadillac for 16.
• Becht for a first down and-- didn't you see it coming? a fumble -- but Galloway recovers. Got a drive going here.

FOURTH QUARTER

• On 3rd-and-short, Cadillac is stuffed. On 4th-and-1, with Alstott in the backfield, Gruden elects play-action pass. Ugly. Giants ball.
• Nice stat on television: on passes longer than 10 yards, Gradkowski is 0-for-11.
• As a friend would say, time for a turnover from the Bucs defense.
• Poor Ronde. On 3rd-and-short, Brandon Jacobs (6-4, 264 pounds) steamrolls Barber for a first down. Jacobs then plows two Bucs on the next play but is flagged for taunting.
• Jacobs. Burress. They're giants, right?

Giants 17, Bucs 3. Smashmouth, clock-eating, clinching drive.

• Two wins, five losses and the schedule just gets uglier.

Kelly to IR

Brian Kelly's standoff with the Bucs reached a culmination Wednesday when the cornerback was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, ending his season.

Kelly has elected not to play in four of the past five games -- despite the team's urging -- and has said he prefers to undergo surgery to correct the problem for good.

In his place, the Bucs added defensive end Jovan Haye to the active roster. Haye was a sixth-round pick of the Panthers in 2005 and played two games with them last season.

Other moves on Wednesday included the releasing of Chad Lucas from the practice squad. Offensive lineman Scott Jackson, also on the practice squad, was signed to the Texans' active roster.

In their places, the Bucs added cornerback Dion Byrum and guard-center Jonathan Clinkscale to the practice squad.

Matt Bryant Day

Matt Bryant stopped by the Bucs training facility Monday morning for a workout but got much more than a little exercise.

Little did he know Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio was going to greet him with a proclamation from the city that makes this Matt Bryant Day as a tribute to the kicker's 62-yard, game-winning field goal against the Eagles on Sunday.

Even the mayor professed to have significant doubts about Bryant's ability to make the kick. That's why when he converted and the Bucs won 23-21, she felt it necessary to mark the occasion.

Judging by his attire in the impromptu press conference -- a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops -- Bryant wasn't expecting all the attention. But slowly, the magnitude of kicking the second-longest field goal in NFL history is beginning to set in for the Texan.

"It's not every day you get to do that," Bryant said. "You can count on two fingers how many other people have kicked it that far. Right now, I'll relish it and have fun with it."

Game 6: Eagles at Bucs

Some thoughts before we start tracking today's game:

• The Eagles have scored at least 24 points in each of their games. The Bucs have scored 24 points once. Something's gotta give.
• SIM RICE, COME HOME: In recent successes against Philadelphia (granted, the teams haven't faced off in three years), defensive end Simeon Rice terrorized Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (2003 Times photo by Bill Serne; click to enlarge). In today's St. Petersburg Times, columnist Gary Shelton called out that Simeon.
• AFTER BOOGER: Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland has been traded to Indianapolis. Ellis Wyms is now the successor to Warren Sapp. Beat writer Rick Stroud said McFarland's departure is the latest sign the Bucs are breakin' up that old defensive gang of ours.
• TEDDY BEAR: No. 1 draft pick Davin Joseph seems like a well-grounded fellow, according to Stephen F. Holder's profile.
• IN BRUCE WE TRUST? Shelton and fellow wise guy John Romano have a back-and-forth about Bucs rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski and the heat Philly will bring with its pass rush.

Game on.

FIRST QUARTER

• Well, the Eagles are good at shooting themselves in the foot. Opening drive deep into Bucs territory, then an unforced error (fumble). Later, another long gain followed by an interception.
• On the Bucs side, little of anything on offense. Cadillac Williams has 13 yards on six carries. Gradkowski is 1-of-4 for 8 yards. They did win a challenge.
• Eagles 0, Bucs 0

SECOND QUARTER

• Shades of the NFC Championship Game. Bucs show blitz. McNabb audibles to short slant pass. Ronde Barber steps in for easy pick and walk-in touchdown. (AP photo; click to enlarge.)

Bucs 7, Eagles 0

• The replay is excellent. Ronde is covering the slot, but he leaves his man to step in front of the slant pass intended for the outside receiver.
• McNabb seems rattled, or overheated as Fox analyst Brian Baldinger is wondering. McNabb fumbles snap on third down.
• Bucs three downs and out again. Fifteen offensive plays, 28 yards. But no turnovers.
• McNabb is capable of handing off. Consecutive Eagles runs gain 33 yards.
• Hello, Ellis. Wyms gets his third sack in two games.
• Bucs defense looks stout. If the Bucs get any offense . . .  on the other hand, would it surprise you if Jon Gruden played field position and hammered the Iggles with Cadillac?
• Nice work in the pocket by Gradkowski. A couple sidesteps buys him time. First down.
• Again, after a poorly thrown deep ball, Gradkowski shows his quick feet to avoid the blitz and find Paris Warren for a first down and his first National Football League catch. Paris who, you say? Second year out of Utah. Hometown Sacramento. That's about it on the Bucs site.
• Jeremy Trueblood's tripping penalty takes Bucs out of field goal range. Well, Matt Bryant can kick it 52 yards, but he's likely to miss and there's no point in giving McNabb a shorter field.
• Bucs thwart screen pass, but McNabb escapes and scrambles for 20 yards.
• Bucs send blitzers and nobody is watching Brian Westbrook -- how does that happen? -- and he gains 29 yards.
• First-and-goal at the Bucs 6 with nine seconds left.
• Oh my. McNabb finishes a two-interception half with a mental blunder. He doesn't throw into the end zone and his receiver is tackled short. The clock runs out.

HALFTIME

• McNabb, with 156 yards, is en route to another 300-yard day, and yet he's played poorly.
• The Eagles offense has gained 250 yards, well above their league-leading average, but those three turnovers killed them.
• Questions for the second half: Which cracks first? The Eagles' frustrated offense? Or the Bucs defense, which is on pace to be on the field for 70-plus plays.
• Cadillac: 10 carries, 20 yards.
• Gradkowski: 6-of-12, 59 yards.

THIRD QUARTER

• Cadillac for 6, Cadillac for 7. Cadillac for 11. Cadillac for 7. Cadillac for water break. Okay, Cadillac for 1 but the Bucs needed 2. Fourth and short at the Eagles 36.

Bucs 10, Eagles 0. Nice opening drive.

Bucs 17, Eagles 0. Help me, Ronde. Barber is all over McNabb. 66 yards for another touchdown.

• The Bucs defense is giving McNabb the short stuff underneath.
• The Bucs defense is giving McNabb room to run.

Bucs 17, Eagles 7. He's having a bad day, but McNabb is fighting like hell. He avoids several sackers and throws a touchdown pass.

FOURTH QUARTER

• McNabb just puked. Good timeout by the Eagles.
• Two good running backs on display: Cadillac and Westbrook.
• Stats update: McNabb has 211 yards passing, 76 rushing and one Chunky Soup barf.

Bucs 17, Eagles 14. McNabb buys time. Touchdown, Reggie Brown. Somebody spike McNabb's Gatorade with Ex-Lax.

• Bucs needs to buy their defense a break. First down, Cadillac. Ten carries for 58 yards this half.
• Big sack, but facemask and unsportsmanlike on Jerome McDougle, who kicked the penalty flag. Thirty yards of penalties and Bucs are at Eagles 43. Clock ticking.
• Bucs miss deep throw, but clock stops.
• Third-and-critical: Gradkowski to Ike Hilliard for just enough.

Bucs 20, Eagles 14. Bryant field goal, but most important, a six-minute drive when it matters.

• Here we go. Two minutes, 49 seconds.
• An Eagles first down at the 2-minute warning.

Eagles 21, Bucs 20. On third-and-6, Westbrook takes a 4-yard pass and makes about six Bucs miss. A 52-yard touchdown.

• Westbrook has 13 carries for 101 yards, seven catches for 113 yards.
• Bucs need 30 yards to get into field goal range.
• Bucs reach Eagles 44. No timeouts. 10 seconds left.
• Well, here goes Matt Bryant from 62 yards.

IT'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
Bucs 23, Eagles 21

McFarland Traded for Draft Pick

The Bucs on Tuesday traded defensive tackle Anthony McFarland to the Indianapolis Colts, ending McFarland's eight-year run with the team that drafted him.

The deal, which came just before the NFL's 4 p.m. trading deadline, nets the Bucs a second-round pick in 2007.

   When reached Tuesday night, McFarland said he was looking forward to being reunited with Colts coach Tony Dungy, who was responsible for making him the Bucs' first-round pick in '99.

   ""First, let me say this: Tony was a guy I've always looked up to, somebody that was part of a staff that brought me to this league, and getting a chance to be back with him is special,'' McFarland said. ""I leave a lot of friends in the Bucs organization and everybody treated me very well. But it's time to turn the chapter in  my professional career. I'm an Indianapolis Colt now and I'm moving ahead.''

   McFarland said he learned of the trade after being telephoned by Bucs general manager Bruce Allen shortly after the 4 p.m. deadline.

   ""I don't look at it as a re-start,'' McFarland said. ""From the standpoint of being a defensive tackle in the NFL, it's just the continuation of something that's been built.''

McFarland often was seen as underachieving in the Bucs' Cover 2 system that relies heavily on pressure from interior defensive linemen. But McFarland remains capable of big plays and recorded several in Tampa Bay's victory against Bengals on Sunday.

McFarland's salary likely was a contentious issue for the Bucs. His base salary of $4.5-million was somewhat difficult to justify based on production. But for the Colts, the glaring need for a pass rush makes paying McFarland worthwhile.

The deal reunites McFarland with his first coach, Tony Dungy.

"It's a great situation," McFarland's agent Karl Bernard said. "He's going to a team where he and his coach have a great relationship. And they have remained in contact over the years. He also has a chance to go to a team whose needs fit. I think he'll do well there."

McFarland's departure likely presses backup lineman Ellis Wyms into a full-time starting role for the first time in his career. Wyms has been invaluable as a backup, recording two sacks against Cincinnati.

"I'm ready to do whatever they ask," said Wyms, who expressed shock when informed of the news by a reporter. "I guess we'll have to wait and see if they sign somebody else."

In other news, former first-round pick Phillip Buchanon, released by the Texans on Monday, signed a one-year deal with the Bucs on Tuesday, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told the St. Petersburg Times.

The cornerback will provide depth at a position that has been thin of late because of the absence of starter Brian Kelly, who is dealing with a case of turf toe and has missed three of the past four games.

Buchanon, a 26-year-old in his fifth season out of the University of Miami, was considered an underachiever and injury-prone in Houston. But the Bucs hope a new start will motivate Buchanon to reach the potential most believed he had when he came out of school.

"It's a great fit for him," Rosenhaus said. "He's from the Fort Myers area, so he's close to home, and he has a real chance to help the team as a cornerback and as a punt returner. They haven't promised him anything, but they will definitely give him an opportunity, which is all he wants."

Buchanon was drafted by the Raiders and Bucs general manager Bruce Allen, then the Oakland GM. Buchanon played sparingly this season, recording two tackles, but in his best year, 2003, he recorded a season-high six interceptions.

Photo of Booger McFarland by the Times' Bill Serne.

Photo of Phillip Buchanon by the Associated Press.

Click photos to enlarge.

McCown to practice

Backup quarterback Luke McCown, who began the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list because of an ACL tear in his right knee, is eligible to practice this week. From the time McCown begins practicing, the team has 21 days to evaluate him.

The Bucs can choose to add McCown to the 53-man roster or put him on injured reserve at any time during the evaluation period, but a decision must be made at the end of three weeks.

"We will probably put him out there on Wednesday and start that 21-day window of observation to see where he is before we make a decision," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Monday.

McCown, who was injured during an offseason workout and had surgery, has been able to attend team meetings and work out individually at the team facility as part of his rehabilitation. When starter Chris Simms had an emergency splenectomy Sept.24, the Bucs did not rush to sign an additional quarterback because of McCown's potential to return.

"He looks good out there on the field, going through all the bags, going through the drills and throwing the football," Gruden said. "But putting him underneath the center and having him react in a football uniform will be something that we have to look at."

GOOD CALL, BAD CALL: As a Bucs player, cornerback Ronde Barber was in favor of the critical roughing-the-passer call against Bengals defensive end Justin Smith. But as a defender with 20 career sacks, Barber did not like the call by referee Mike Carey.

The penalty aided Tampa Bay's winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Carey ruled Smith used extra force to drive rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski's head into the ground.

"I thought it was a bad call, quite honestly," Barber said. "Bruce kind of balls up for him. I thought it was a bad call, but I've lost a lot of games on bad calls. So be it."

KELLY'S TOE: The Bucs appear to be losing patience with cornerback Brian Kelly, who has missed three games and is doubtful Sunday against the Eagles with a chronic turf toe injury. Kelly has been experiencing pain since the team's June minicamp. He played in the Sept.10 opener and Oct.8 at New Orleans.

"He's not making much progress," Gruden said. "They tell me there's a chance surgery could fix that. It's unfortunate. It's just not getting better and he's unable to go right now. Until he can go, we'll continue to play the guys who are well enough."

Photo of Luke McCown by Getty Images.

Photo of Bruce Gradkowski/Justin Smith by the Times' james Borchuck.

2004 photo of Jon Gruden and Brian Kelly by the Times' Bill Serne.

Click photos to enlarge.

Trade Winds?

The latest hot NFL rumor has the Bucs shopping several defensive players, namely defensive tackle Anthony McFarland and cornerback Brian Kelly.

The story was reported Sunday morning by Fox Sports. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, and with the Bucs just 1-4 and in need of more youth on defense, a major trade is certainly not out of the question.

Kelly would seem unlikely to be attractive in a trade. He missed his third game in five weeks Sunday with a turf toe injury and didn't practice last week. Kelly remains unhappy with his contract situation and has long sought to restructure his deal, but the Bucs have been unwilling.

McFarland had a more productive game Sunday with two tackles and a quarterback hurry, but his season has been largely disappointing to this point. McFarland's base salary this season: $4.5-million.

Bucs 14, Bengals 13

Is this the day the Bucs get off the schneid? Yes, in dramatic fashion.

Bruce Gradkowski had his struggles but led the Bucs on a final drive that concluded with Michael Clayton's catch-and-stretch touchdown with 35 seconds left. The initial ruling was incomplete, but replays showed Clayton lost the ball when he landed in the end zone.

Here's the blow-by-blow account:

FIRST QUARTER

• Watch the right side of the Bucs' offensive line: Rookies Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood are starting at guard and tackle.
• Wide receiver Michael Clayton this week called for more throws his way. He and Bruce Gradkowski can't connect on third down.
• Booger McFarland tackles Rudi Johnson for a loss. Let's see how many of those the defense gets today. Well, make that two. Carson Palmer recovers his own fumble.
• Gradkowski shows quick feet in the pocket, but the back-footed throw to the sidelines looks like a pick waiting to happen.
• Three passes so far to Clayton, one completion for 5 yards.
• Four tackles for a loss. Two Rudi Johnson sweeps are stuffed. Some bad luck: Bengals have fallen on two of their fumbles. Three downs and out.
• On a reverse, Joey Galloway runs 30 yards to gain two yards. Honestly, thanks to Galloway's speed, the two yards are a bonus.
• Clayton breaks a tackle for a first down. Four throws his way, two completions.
• Ragged-looking throw is ruled an interception. Gradkowski rips off the interceptor's helmet. Bucs challenge. If the ruling is incomplete, does the personal foul stand? Yes.

SECOND QUARTER

• No small achievement. Blue Adams tackles the Bengals' punt returner in the open field. 57-yard kick, 2-yard return.
• Bengals have zero yards rushing at this point.
• Will an offense cross midfield?
• Yes, Gradkowski to Galloway for 18 yards.
• Longest play of game for Cincy: 10-yard pass to Chad Johnson. Followed by Bucs' fifth tackle for a loss.
• Crowd groans as Juran Bolden whiffs on Chad Johnson.

Bengals 7, Bucs 0
T.J. Houshmandzadeh outjumps Ronde Barber for a touchdown (Times photo by James Borchuck). Bucs' challenge rejected.

• Running behind the rookie linemen, Cadillac gains 18 yards.
• Two shots at Clayton in the end zone aren't even close. That's six throws his way, with two completions for 16 yards.
• Matt Bryant misses field goal; he's 2-of-5 this year.
• Off his back foot, Gradkowski throws into triple coverage. Interception.
• At the Tampa Bay 39, proud stand by the defense, batting down Palmer's fourth-down throw.

HALFTIME: Bengals 7, Bucs nothing

• Gradkowski: 9-of-20 for 75 yards; one interception.
• Cadillac: 10 carries, 42 yards.
• Palmer: 15-of-20, 132 yards.
• Bengals rushers: 8 carries, 3 yards.
• Third-down conversions: Bengals, 1-of-6; Bucs, 1-of-7.

THIRD QUARTER

• Rudi Johnson gains 24 yards on three carries. Shelton Quarles is down on the field.
• Hello. Cadillac for 38 yards. But at the Cincy 21, it's still hard to feel confident.
• Gradkowski escapes the pocket. First down on a generous spot.
• Generous penalty on Robert Geathers. Roughing the passer sets up Bucs at the 9.

Bucs 7, Bengals 7
Gradkowski finishes 5-for-5 drive with TD throw to Alex Smith.

• Rudi Johnson continues his second-half revival.

Bengals 10, Bucs 7
A field goal completes a 54-yard drive.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Stopping the Bengals is critical. The chance of the Bucs overcoming a deficit of more than one score is remote.
• Ike Hilliard's sure hands are welcome on punt returns. He hurries to field a short punt and sets up the Bucs at the Cincy 46.
• Cadillac at 100 yards. That's two consecutive games.
• Ugh. Gradkowski misses Alex Smith on third and short. Josh Bidwell kicks into end zone. Bengals dodge two bullets.
• Uh-oh. Palmer to Chad Johnson for 51 yards.
• Bend, don't break. Three downs at the Bucs 29 and nothing for Cincinnati.

Bengals 13, Bucs 7
Another field goal and another challenge for Bruce Gradkowski.

• So far, so good: two throws, two first downs.
• First down on Gradkowski's sideline stretch.
• Pffftttttttt. Cadillac is under 100 yards now after a big loss. The drive stalls.
• The defense is asked again for a stop. Watch the bomb.
• Thanks, Bengals. Playing the odds, Cincinnati is conservative, figuring the Bucs are unlikely to score. A safe bet at this point.
• How many times have we heard "almost picked off"?
• Wait a minute now. Clayton for the first down at the Bengals 32.
• Whoa, another favorable break for the Bucs. Roughing the passer on a sack? We'll take it.
• Well, here we go. Another Bucs receiver drops an apparent winning touchdown on fourth down (hello, Edell Shepherd). Replays shows Clayton stretching into end zone with football.

Bucs 14, Bengals 13
Upon further review, touchdown (Times photo by Brendan Fitterer).

• Too much time for Palmer in the pocket.
• 62 yards into the wind? Yeah, right.

Bucs win

An old friend

Remember Dexter Jackson, the former Bucs safety and one-time Super Bowl MVP?

Well, he remembers the Bucs well. And he hasn't forgotten the team's decision not to re-sign him, leaving him on the market where he secured a four-year, $7.6-million deal with Cincinnati, which visits Tampa on Sunday.

The usually mild-mannered Jackson lashed out, particularly at coach Jon Gruden, in a candid interview with the Cincinnati media this week.

"I think (Gruden) just takes stuff for granted," Jackson said. "It hurt. I was only MVP of the Super Bowl, and when it came down to negotiations, guys like (defensive coordinator Monte) Kiffin really pushed hard for me, but (Gruden) wanted to go in a different direction."

Jackson said it looks like some of the Bucs' personnel decisions are "backfiring" considering the continued slide of the defense this season. He said he has heard from former teammates that the Bucs miss his leadership.

"Taking nothing away from (Derrick) Brooks and Ronde (Barber)," Jackson said. "They're leaders, but to a certain extent. You can't be a leader just when you're playing good. You have to be a leader when you're playing bad also. I was the person if you weren't playing good to say, 'Okay guys, let's pick it up.'"

He added: "When you watch film, there's a lot of long runs (against the Bucs). There were some long runs (last season), but not 60-yard touchdowns. Who is back deep? It's like a spade is a spade. You can only hide the truth for so long. It comes to light."

Jackson hopes to return to the lineup this week after missing the past two weeks with an ankle injury.

Crowded Training Room

The Bucs' training room will be a busy place this week as the extensive injury list, released today, revealed.

Among those listed as questionable are defensive end Simeon Rice (shoulder), cornerbacks Brian Kelly (toe) and Juran Bolden (hip), punt returner Mark Jones (hamstring), long snapper Andrew Economos (knee) and tight end Dave Moore (ribs).

The defensive injuries are of particular concern, especially considering the uneven performance of the unit this season. Kelly and Bolden are two of the team's top three corners, and their injuries could press rookie Alan Zemaitis into service for the first time, along with veteran Torrie Cox, should their conditions not improve.

Also today, coach Jon Gruden said rookie right guard Davin Joseph is likely to start after returning to the lineup last week for the first time during the regular season. Joseph had been sidelined with a knee injury since four days before the season opener and played a limited role last week at New Orleans. Backup guard Sean Mahan's performance against the Saints was one of the day's disappointments, making the return of Joseph a welcome development.

Quarter by quarter

First Quarter:

• A touchdown on the first drive? From the new QB? What team are we watching here? (AP photo)
• Deuce McAllister makes the Bucs defense look human again with a long run to the Bucs 3-yard line. Ouch. But the D holds and the Saints settle for a field goal.
• It's 7-3 as the first quarter expires.

Second Quarter:

• The Bucs start a drive buried on their 10-yard line. Time to really sweat the bad field position normally this season, but a couple of trick plays later and the Bucs are rolling down the field. Eventually though it's punt time.
• Reggie Bush is making some big plays in the second quarter. You don't need to see the TV to know when he's got the ball -- you can tell from the swell of cheers from the Saints fans.
• Oh jeesh - can somebody please tackle Deuce? Too late, it's Saints 10, Bucs 7.
• It's halftime.

Third quarter:

• The offenses for both teams seem to have fallen asleep. Can legions of Bucs fans watching at home be far behind?
• Oh great, the Bucs fumbled the ball in their own territory. Reggie Bush can smell the endzone from there.
• There it is -- a Saints touchdown after the fumble recovery. Saints 17, Bucs 7. Time to see what Gradkowski is made of.
• And here's the answer: A 52-year toss to Joey Galloway. The Bucs make it inside the Saints' 5-yard line.
• Mike Alstott scores his first touchdown of the season from the 1 to make it Saints 17, Bucs 14.

Fourth quarter:

• OK, here we go -- final quarter. It's anybody's game still.
• A huge run by Cadillac Williams puts the Bucs inside the 10-yard line. Alex Smith gets his first touchdown catch of the year and the Bucs take the lead for the first time since the first quarter. Wow. Bucs 21, Saints 17. Too much time left to get excited though.
• OK, after a decent Saints drive, the Bucs have the ball back with about 6 minutes left in the game. Can the offense run the clock a little? (The answer: no)
• Reggie Bush just returned a Bucs punt for a touchdown. The guy gets his first NFL touchdown that way? What more can go wrong for the Bucs this season? Saints 24, Bucs 21.
• A promising Bucs drive is stopped after a couple of painful but fair penalties. The Bucs turn the ball over on downs at midfield with less than 3 minutes to go and no timeouts left.
• The Saints are having to punt with 27 seconds left. That gives Gradkowski one last shot. Turns out that's not enough.

So there you go. Final score: Saints 24, Bucs 21. A good job by Gradkowski, but that Reggie Bush punt return was the difference.

Gradkowski's big day arrives

It's gameday again. Bucs vs. Saints. Bruce Gradkowski's first NFL start. Time to see if the rookie can lead the Bucs offense any better than Chris Simms. Almost seems like opening day all over again, doesn't it?

Click here to read Rick Stroud's excellent profile on Gradkowski and his family.

Share your pregame thoughts in the comments section and check back during the game as we comment and update on the Bucs' progress.

Simms Speaks Out

Bucs quarterback Chris Simms' mind was wandering as he fought through the unfamiliar discomfort, and there came a time when this thought came to him: "Maybe I'm bleeding internally."

He was oh, so right.

Simms spoke out for the first time Thursday in a press conference and admitted he was feeling badly throughout the game in which he suffered a ruptured spleen, a potentially life-threatening injury.

Simms did not criticize the Bucs' medical staff for its handling of his injury, but instead thanked it for making the diagnosis and getting him to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery to remove the organ on Sept. 24.

As expected, Simms also said he would like to play later this season if his recovery is quick enough, but he also admits he will have a long road back to get into football shape after losing an estimated 10 pounds.

"I need a few days just to feel how my body's recovering," he said.

Among the other details provided: Simms said he lost three pints of blood and had six bags of blood transfusions during the process. He also will have to be vaccinated yearly to compensate for the lack of a spleen, which helps the immune system.

Kenyatta Walker Out for Season

It just gets worse for the Bucs.

A week after quarterback Chris Simms suffered a possible season-ending injury, right tackle Kenyatta Walker was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday after undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

That news means rookie Jeremy Trueblood will be elevated to the starting lineup, where he will join fellow rookie and starting right guard Davin Joseph when the latter returns from his own knee injury.

To compensate, the Bucs signed tackle Donald Penn, an undrafted free agent who spent training camp with the Vikings before joining their practice squad.

Walker's latest surgery is his third on the knee in three years. He had been playing through significant pain since training camp, when he missed a series of practices and the first preseason game.

"They went in and looked around and it's more severe than it has been, so his season is over," coach Jon Gruden said. "Obviously it's a big loss to our football team."

Fixing the knee now was considered the best course of action by Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala., who is renowned in the sports medicine community.

"It’s a credit to him for playing like he did given this is what he had for the first three games," Gruden said. "Dr. Andrews, one of the best in the world at what he does, says the best thing to do is correct this thing right now. It’s a more significant surgery than what he has had in the past."

The loss takes a toll on the depth at tackle, where Cornell Green, acquired in the preseason, is the next option. Penn, 6-feet-5 and 305 pounds, could also come into the picture if needed.

The promotion of Trueblood to the starting lineup makes the Buce even younger at some key positions. Joseph is yet to make his first start, though he is a possibility to play this week. Trueblood will be making his debut on Sunday against the Saints. All told, the Bucs will at some point have three rookies in the starting lineup when the linemen join quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.

STEPHEN F. HOLDER

Simms released from hospital

Chris Simms was released from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa on Saturday, six days after the Bucs quarterback had emergency surgery to remove his spleen.

Simms’ spleen was ruptured during a Sept. 24 loss to the Panthers.

Team officials, including coach Jon Gruden, suggested Simms’ spleen ruptured in the fourth quarter on a hit by Carolina defensive tackle Al Wallace. The league fined Wallace $7,500 for using his body to drive Simms into the ground.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that Simms believes the injury occurred in the first quarter and that doctors pumped three pints of blood from Simms’ stomach due to internal bleeding.

The Bucs likely will make a decision this week to put Simms, 26, on injured reserve, which would end his season, or keep him on the 53-man active roster in hopes of a late-season return. Recovery is expected to take at least six weeks.

Rookie Bruce Gradkowski will start Sunday at New Orleans.