Dunn couldn't offer much

You might be wondering this morning why RB Warrick Dunn only touched the ball three times in Dallas on Sunday. He finished with one carry for 1 yard and two receptions for 8 yards.

While Dunn is hardly a complainer and was careful not to pin his ineffectiveness on injury, the fact is he just wasn't physically able to do much in the game.

Dunn suffered a pinched nerve in his upper back area against the Seahawks one week ago, and the truth is it still hasn't healed. Curious what in the world a pinched nerve feels like, I asked Dunn in the locker room to explain the effects.

He proceeded to tell me the problem sends sharp, shooting pains throughout his back and lower body, pains that make it tough for even the toughest guy to battle through. Like any veteran in the NFL will tell you, Dunn made it clear he's battled worse injuries and even played through some of them, but this one certainly was not going to allow him to have one of his better days.

If Dunn's condition doesn't improve soon, the Bucs will continue to have problems sustaining the running game as they're unable to use Earnest Graham at fullback without Dunn in the game. Yes, Jameel Cook is back in town, but it's been a couple years and he's still learning much of what's been added to the playbook in his absence. As you probably know, starting FB B.J. Askew is still out with a hamstring tear. All this, combined with the decision to leave Michael Bennett inactive on Sunday, left the Bucs in an unenviable position.

Comments

[jeff]

why was bennett inactive not a good move?

[CW]

Bennet was probably inactive because of the need for Clifton Smith in the return game. I get the feeling that the coaching staff is not very confident in Bennet's abilities, otherwise why not use him as a returner/backup RB instead of a rookie?

[Rick]

Grudens play calling is the worst in the NFL, and him not playing Bennett is just stupid.
Also, on defense (31) is just plain bad, please, replace that bum.

[RWS]

31 is bad? You must be confusing numbers, because 20 is the liability. I think 31 is doing alright this year because the other team is going after the weak link which is 20. 31 is not much better, but not as bad as 20.

BTW, guru's O couldn't get one TD, this bum has got to go. The little guy got intimidated just like I said he would last week.

[migget]

just think of all the young offensive talent the bucs have, realy somthing to look forward to ,just think jon little midget gruden has never developed nothing expt for two OG there is not one thing to look forward to they are a bunch of old guys who get wonderful play calling from the little coach ,boy is it going to be GREAT, WAKE UP TAMPA jon gruden sucks fire him please moveonjongruden.com

[Stacy]

I am confused about Grudens roster logic? I was glad to see Dexter Jackson was deactivated. Anybody know why Michael Spurlock was cut in preseason? Roster Logic: If B.J Askew and Maurice Stovall were inactive why not activate Michael Bennett? He left himself with 1 running back (Dunn), and that forced him to use Graham as a fullback? As far as Barber goes, he is our 1 and only Probowl Cornerback. He had a bad day but never got any safety help. He is not strictly a zone coverage guy, he is one of the best tacklers @ CB that I have ever seen. Gruden is a 500 coach after dismantling Dungy's team and Garcia has taken one too many hits which is evident by his breaking the pocket on every single down, even when the pocket is still intact. If I see one more of those Little League backhanded flips I think I would be pulling him immediately. Play whoever can win the game for you! Garcia is playing scared and seems to be playing not to throw an interception and or not to lose the game - thereby just managing the game - instead of playing to win.

[Rob]

any why can't bennett return kicks? or get on the field at all????

We need SOME speed on offense.

[Jay]

Ok, if Michael Bennett is so god awful at picking up the playbook, or what have you, why didn't we trade him when we had the opportunity? Especially if we had Clifton Smith (the new Mr. August) waiting in the wings. Now he's just sitting on the active roster taking up a space.

[McHenry]

I hate you all supposed fans. We win and you all praise. We lose and it's off with everyone's head. We lost. On to next week. Tough loss, but get over it.

[jbl]

@ Stacey..Spurlock is on the practice squad.If they put him on the 53 man roster it's like they are admitting making a crappy 2nd round pick.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Wow the vultures come out, don't they?

[oar]

You haters crack me up. Stacy get over the Dungy's team, Gruden brought in 29 new players(mostly offense)to that superbowl team. 29...hmmm more than half the team, Dungy's? I think not. I thnjik Bennett being deactivated is cause he can't pick up blitzes/blocking. Not sure of his returning abilities. BTW: Gruden is tied with Dungy for most Bucs wins.

[Jay]

You know, just because you're asking questions on why something failed, does NOT make you a Gruden hater. It means that you're attempting to address or inquire as to why some things failed. If you can look at last week's performance and not find fault in some, in ANY aspect of the game, then you're an absolute fool. The difference is how you adjust, and frankly, the coaching staff haven't done enough to inspire a lot of confidence. If that makes me a hater, then bring it.

[oar]

Jay settle down. There's 3 or so comments I was calling haters. (I know not all bloggers to these articles are haters, unless you have a guilty conscience) This week Garcia did not get in the endzone(a problem I think he has)although getting to the redzone seem not to be a problem. As for last weeks game(panthers) I thought everything was spot on.

[Voc]

We do not need Cadi remember, Earnest and Warrick will fix everything... Bennet was a waste he just sits and collects a check..

Go figure, as far as I am concerned to keep making the playoffs and getting bonced in the first round each year; that to me is not getting it done.

Believe it same this year... Tired of the poor play calling and the poor personnel moves. D-Jax second round pick and now clifton smith is returning kicks!!! (What the is that) No replacement for Gallaway, time has caught up with him, he has missed so many games over the years. He has prolonged his career enough. The guy is not tough at all...

Garica, quick fix nothing solid behind him at all. Great coaching (yea right) another one and done if they make the playoffs "Book it"

[Jay]

It's all good, Oar. I just wanted to prove that I can play defense too.

[Stacy]

OAR you stated: "Gruden brought in 29 new players(mostly offense)to that superbowl team. 29...hmmm more than half the team, Dungy's?" R U trying to intimate that the Superbowl team was revamped in 1 year (specifically offense) by Gruden to win the Superbowl? If so, you have lost your mind. The Dungy team needed a new coach to get the over the hump. Gruden did that. Then Gruden screwed up and replaced the team due to his ego. He will be replaced after this contract expires. There is no need to keep a coach who can not outperfor the previous one. Gruden is a 500 coach.It is just a fact of stats. I am not a hater of anything except bad play calling, poor roster scheduling bad QB play and an easily anticipated offense. Offense:(pass 3 yds, run off tackle 2 yds, pass 3 yds - punt)Proud to be Florida Born and raised.

[DR]

Oar, your statements are idiotic. What's Grudumbs winning percentage? That tells the strue story.
Gruden has done nothing with this offense and is still allowed to have full control over it. He's only blessed to have soccer owners who have no understanding of what it takes to build a winning football team. Its quite obvious with the personnel that Gruden has brought in the last few years that the Glazers don't care about winning a championship. They like being average, which is Gruden's record.

[oar]

Yes Stacy/DR I'am saying it was revamped in one year, when you have different players come in (Alstott, B Johnson, K Johnson, S King & Kenyatta only offense guys on team) and it is a totally different style offense(west coast where you have scored more points and made more yards on the year. Gruden has out performed the previous one with 1 superbowl, 3 div titles, and tied for most wins in the franchise(with Dungy). You say he replaced the team, well salary cap hell from McKay and no draft picks(the ones the last few years have been great) causes that, along with age and injuries(nothing new in the nfl, players on one team entire career are rare anymore). Oh and yes the coach is the reason for poor player play too. So I guess I have lost my idiotic mind.

[bucaholic]

Oar, don't get caught up with the number of wins Gruden has. He took over a team that was basically Super Bowl ready whereas Dungy built a winner from nothing. I'm not a Gruden hater but don't want to overlook where the Bucs were when each coach took over.