Phillips injury appears serious

Strong safety Jermaine Phillips might be out for an extended period of time after suffering a possible broken arm.

Several indications pointed to Phillips being sidelined for some time, including defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's assessment of the situation.

"We're going to miss him," Kiffin said. When pressed, Kiffin wouldn't get too specific on the diagnosis. "But that's why we have Sabby Piscitelli. He'll do good. He's got to come through for us. And we've got Will Allen. He's got to be ready to rotate now."

Phillips was injured in the first half and did not re-enter the game. He later appeared on the sidelines with his arm in a sling. He was unavailable for comment after the game.

If he's indeed lost for a long period of time, it's a big blow the defense.

"Jermaine's a tremendous hitter," Kiffin said. "He's having a tremendous season, two years in a row. He's doing just as good this year as he did last year. They talk about all these safeties in the league. Jermaine Phillips can line up with any safety in the NFL. I know. I know players. But you don't hear enough about this guy. He hustles and he hits and he gets turnovers."

Defensive backs coach Raheem Morris' decision to use a three-man rotation at safety this season -- in an effort to get Piscitelli on the field -- might now pay dividends. Piscitelli estimates he's played 30 percent of the snaps this season, preparing him for an expanded role, if necessary.

"Coach Raheem did a great job," Piscitelli said. "He said in the offseason that was his goal (to rotate). Jermaine is a great player and we're going to miss him. But my job is step up and make plays."

Comments

[RWS]

This is Grudens fault, probably stomped on his arm to try to put the heat on the D, after hi O couldn't score a TD.

[BEENABUC]

Once again the offense inconsistency rears its ugly head again, ON THE ROAD! Better hope we dont have to travel in the playoffs...Or you know what will happen to this offense. Our offense has players too! The same way Roy Williams isolated buchanon why can't we get Clayton iso with Mike Jenkins in the red zone?

[galleybay]

We can't because you need a quarterback that throws balls into the endzone trying for touchdowns. Ours gets spooked, then gets happy feet and settles for field goals.

BEENABUC...Playoffs! Playoffs? The only playoffs this sorry excuse for another Gruden team is going to a to a FG kicking contest. Gruden sucks! Dungy was fired for having these offenses for less years than Gruden, yet WE STILL HAVE THE EGOMANIACAL MIDGET! What gives Glazers? Had enough yet, I sure have...

[RWS]

Wade Phillips teabagged the Guruden.

[jbl]

best wishes Flip!!!hope it isn't serious! watching you cruch people helps me get over some of our losses. glad you have helped develope some of our younger guys like sabby.get well soon

[STEVE]

wow, jbl, you personally know all the bucs by their nick names...verrrry impressive...typical bucs loser...

[bill h]

WOW EVERYBOGY JUMPED PFF THE WAGON FAST...HOPE YOU GUYS DONT BREAK SOMETHING AS FAST AS YOU JUMP.......
I CAN NOT SAY THE OFFICALS HELP THE COWGIRLS WIN BUT THEY GAVE IT THEIR BEST SHOT! LOOK YOU ALL KNOW THE FLAGS THROWN TODAY WERE VERY ONE SIDED....REFS NEED DAMN GLASSES! BUT WE SHOULD OF PLAYED BETTER TO OVER COME THE BIAS OFFICIATING....LETS WIN ONE NEXT WEEK GO BUCS....

[Valrico Rick]

The fact that the Cowboys scored a touchdown after some questionable calls at the end of the first half isn't the reason the Bucs lost! A complete lack of imagination on the part of the offensive playcaller, whomever that might have been, was the reason! Was it Gruden, why yes it was! With a tight end that is 6 feet 7 inches tall and you don't once throw it to him in the endzone! The defense only gave up 13 points, and the offense couldn't even generate one touchdown against a patchwork secondary. Gruden and his 3 FIELD GOALS is the reasont he Bucs lost! 'Nuff Said!

[PIMPIN]

Yall are crazy. Da Bucs still gonna bring the pain and get homefield in playoffs. GO BUCS! GO GRUDEN!

Valrico Rick hit the nail on the proverbial head.

[Big Pat]

Valrico Rick (you band wagon travesty), if you can't see that we lost because of a motivated defense and pizz poor officiating, then you are more confused than George W Bush taking his SAT's. Seriously, who would you suggest that the Bucs replace our all-time winningest coach with? Bill Cowher, who only knows how to run a 3-4 defense? Perhaps Mike Nolan or B Billick? Get a grip and talk to smarter people (anyone outside Valrico). Nuff said.

[Craig]

I think I might want Marty Shot. in as our head coach for a shot.

[lilargue]

officiating lost it. bucs drive after the barber horse-collar either clayton or galloway got horse-collared harder than the boy's player did. again officiating lost it? JERRY JONES won't make it to playoffs, so we won't have to worry about the refs there!! GO BUCS, gws J.P.

[Tom]

Craig, you want Marty Ball?

[aaron]

marty ball isnt all that bad. at least you know we would actually have a commitment to running the ball. And with the backs we have that isnt a bad thing.

[DR]

It was a horse collar tackle. There was pass interference. There was an illegal chuck down the field. Look at the tape. I'm not complaining about a terrible offsides call against Demarcus Ware that extended your drive. He reacted to the center who popped up before he moved.
It's funny how you guys want the refs to give you another game. I guess you're spoiled.

[Stephen_Holder]

I have to step in here. Quit it with the complaining about the officials. The illegal contact I don't recall exactly, but the other calls were spot on. Ronde should have known better. And he had plenty of help. He didn't need to do that. Cato was just not smart there with the personal foul. He told me he didn't give a damn because he's not getting punked for nobody. That's fine, so long as you're willing to deal with the consequences. Hate to say it, but the Bucs got what they deserved

[DR]

Where's my good friend Kurt at?
"Enjoy the thorough @ss kicking that our Bucs are going to put on your Cowgirls tomorrow."
I sure did. It was great. Like I said, Gruden will keep us in the ball game. Thanks Jonny boy!

[DR]

Stephen, are you serious, that's his response? That's a Michigan education for you! I feel bad for Brooks having a moron for a teammate. He's lucky they didn't tag him with another personal foul for taking his helmet off. He didn't want get punked but he sure did look like a punk on the field.

[jeff]

no runnung game i like graham but he has got to step up in big games ?

[Yoshi]

Seems the only way the cowgirls could get to the the redzone is on the backs of zebras. Thats ok, everyone knows who the better team is. Offense was lackluster to say the least especially after a 300+ passing performance the week before but the Defense was great. Hopefully J-Phils injury is not severe it would be a big blow for the team. This loss could actually be a blessing in disguise. It will get us out of the spotlight we've been in for the past weeks. We have a good chance to win the rest of our games or maybe lose 1 or 2 at the most. Im not discouraged at all by this cheap loss. We will bounce back next week and have time to recover from some of our injuries. GO BUCS! HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE AT THE SUPERBOWL!

[james]

Gruden, he should be calling little league games. you can't dink and dunk down the feild without taken a few shot deep. on a fast defense like dallas. Come on gruden call some BIG BOY PLAYS!!!!!!!!! GOOD JOB D WAY TO KEEP GRUDEN HIS JOB!!!!!!!!!!

[BIG MIKE]

Always remember BUC fans, when you go into another mans house with a fight, you must defeat him soundly. In his house, he gets the calls. (like end of 2nd Q) Dallas played like a desparate
team on D. Our O line just got outplayed on Sunday. We left to many plays on the field and I'm surprised we were not better prepared for Brad.
Still, we had more than our fair shots at winning the game and could not get it done. We are still a good team. Lets beat KC and go into the bye at 6-3.
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!

[orlbucfan]

Stephen,

I know you are a professional sports writer who covers our Bucs. You do a very good job--BTW. However, let us vent a little regarding the zebras. They called a bad game. If one team 'horse collars' and gets called so should the other team--period. I don't care if it's Dallas or yahoodie! Remember Jerry Markbreit? He became a legend with his Buc calls.

We lost the game cos of poor offensive (and how!) playcalling. That's Jon Gruden's watch. It gets very frustrating watching an O with talent get stymied cos the coach is too sleep-deprived to call a decent game. How about letting Jay G call a game? He would most definitely open up the playbook. He does it all the time w/the Predators. Jon needs to take a nap and let Jay call one--wouldn't hurt.

[OAR]

So glad there are so many coaches(bloggers, insert sarcasm here) out there. You guys should be coach on some team. Dallas D did not allow us deep plays. orlbucfan I agree I don't mind the calls, just do it on both teams. DR your still the rustiest tool in the box. One of your "boys" took his helmet off abd no flag and Ware was offsides more than once.

[e]

offensive genus.
e

[Brian]

Stephen, I normally agree with and like your comments, but the refs were crap. Call the horsecollar-fine, but a short time later a Buc was pulled down near the sideline by the collar and there was no call?? June shouild not have acted as he did, but Columbo had him by the throat in front of the
ref(s)--at least call offsetting. Pathetic

I coach kids athletics and teach them to not worry about the refs, but it seems the Bucs get an inordinate share of bad calls--the non-holding call on Gaines Adams in the firstgame in NO, the ridiculous celebrating calls etc. etc.

Beyond the gift the refs gave Dallas at the end of the first half, why did Gruden never have Garcia roll out in the 2d half--supposedly Garcia's mobility is a big plus? Also why not use mor screens and/or draws to counter the Dallas rush which was beating our O' line. He also abandoned the run way too early. Did Gruden ever answer these? HIs play callng was a big reason we lost.