Bucs banged up: Askew, Sims have hamstring strains

Bucs coach Jon Gruden was plenty happy about a lot of things from Sunday's dramatic, come-from-behind OT win over the Bears.

Gruden praised the poise of Brian Griese, the protection by the offensive line, and the emergence of receiver Antonio Bryant and Jerramy Stevens.

But the Bucs again left a game banged up, as Gruden said fullback B.J. Askew and defensive lineman Ryan Sims suffered hamstring strains.

Gruden said he doensn't know yet whether Aqib Talib or Joey Galloway will play this weekend against the Packers, but said Talib has a better chance than Galloway.

Here's some excerpts:

Gruden on Griese: "He was great down the stretch, it's hard to duplicate that. It's hard to beat what he did in the last 30 minutes, 25-30 minutes of the game."

Gruden on the protection: "I think it had a lot to do with our ability to come from behind and win. Any time your quarterback has a chance to see and go through his reads, have vision in the pocket, it certainly helps."

Gruden on difficulty running the ball vs Bears: "We had some good looks, some draw plays. If you watch the game, they have a guy in every gap on every snap and it's hard to run. It's hard. It's a loaded box, a lot of single blocsk, and they've got an extra man in support a lot of the time.'

More to come

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[true bucs fan]

we should be glad we arent as banged up as the saints...

on another note:

migget i was suprised about why such an unintelligent person like you would be posting on here. you know nothing about the bucs obviously and are not near a true fan. i also wish u would come play soccer with my team.. ive seen it all from broken arms, concussions to torn acls so why dont you do us all a favor and not ever comment on this website again.

[Kurt]

Galloway has had 3 1000 yard seasons i a row. What else needs to be said. Facts always kill your arguments DR/Jay.

[shane]

you know DR i do believe there is one qb that is on his way to costing his team games and you know him quite well(more than just a fan should know). Unlike the other overrated qb Tom Brady, Romo just can't avoid that one mistake(botched hold for a field goal or a throw into triple coverage) in the playoffs to lead the Girls to the promise land. And yes i know about Griese's track record with turning the ball over in critical situations but at least he makes up for it(see Chicago game last week).

[Jay]

Kurt, this is what needs to be said:

Joey Galloway: 2 games, 8 receptions, 74 yards, 0 touchdowns.

Ike Hilliard:
3 games, 16 receptions, 143 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Antonio Bryant:
2 games, 13 receptions, 181 yards, 0 touchdowns.

Now, which one of those guys is the #1 receiver?

[Kurt is confused]

Galloway has had 3 1000 yard seasons i a row. What else needs to be said. Facts always kill your arguments DR/Jay.

Posted by: Kurt | September 23, 2008 at 08:50 PM

So, what exactly is that doing for us right now? Nothing! Galloway is scared to get hit and will not fight for the ball. Not west coast offense material, and the team will do better without his primadonna nonsense. Clayton is back, Bryant is improving, Hilliard is $.

[DR]

You losers are defending a big loser of a WR. Galloway has never won a playoff game as a #1 WR. Look it up Kurt and bobbyd, it's a FACT. The quick routes were open all day isn't a contradiction, it shows how bad a play caller Gruden is since he didn't abuse the Bears until he was forced to start throwing the ball more than 5 yards down the field.
Let's see this year so far, with Galloway 0-1, without Galloway 2-0. Go figure.
3 1,000 yard seasons in a row. Who cares? Did you see the way Galloway played in the playoffs? Didn't look like a 1,000 yard WR. He looked pathetic. Galloway gets shut down by any somewhat above average CB. Look at his game splits, he has big games against bad defenses and has never beat a good CB.

[BUBBA THE LOVE SPONGE]

DR`S REAL NAME STEVE IS DUEMIG

[BUBBA]

STEVE DUEMIG I MEAN...DAMN

[DR]

Shane, trust me, I know there is a problem in the backfield in Irvin, Texas, but that problem can be fixed. The arm is there, the talent is there, it's just a point of making better decisions and not trying to be a hero in certain situations. He'll get better, which is bad news for every other team in the NFL.