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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 8, 2002
TAMPA -- The embarrassment of the 21-3 loss to the Eagles in the playoffs last season isn't likely to go away, nor the image of Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb's exuberance on the sideline.
Pro Bowl safety John Lynch said he remembers it well but wasn't ready to indict the quarterback.
"I do," he said. "But I think the more you're around Donovan, you realize that that is more Donovan's personality. I don't remember it so much for him rubbing our face in it. But more so, I will remember the fact that they physically dominated us in that game, and that sticks fresh in my mind. It's good on their part and it's embarrassing on our part, and that stays fresh in my mind."
MAKING AN IMPRESSION: It's unclear what the Eagles players and coaching staff are thinking about Bucs backups Aaron Stecker and Milton Wynn, but one Eagles reserve has caught the Bucs attention.
Reserve running back Correll Buckhalter, a rookie out of Nebraska, ran for 89 yards on 20 carries. Buckhalter saw considerable playing time with starter Duce Staley missing two games.
"He ran hard and he looked good," Lynch said. "He probably earned himself a little playing time. He looks like a tough, strong back, so we're going to have to come with our tackling game. They are a real physical football team and we're going to have to match that intensity."
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The regular season doesn't even matter. The issue isn't the regular season. The regular season is over, whatever the record was." -- Pro Bowl receiver Keyshawn Johnson on what the 9-7 record means going into the playoffs.
INJURY REPORT: Defensive end Marcus Jones (right shoulder sprain) missed Sunday's game but could participate in some drills when the team returns to the practice field Wednesday. He will be evaluated daily. Jones is the only starter in jeopardy of missing the game. Reserve safety John Howell sprained his right ankle and defensive tackle James Cannida has a right hip pointer. Neither injury is considered serious.