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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 23, 2002
All the time spent catching balls in practice actually pays off for linebackers. Just look at Pro Bowl player Derrick Brooks. Brooks has an interception in each of the two games, including a 97-yard touchdown return against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 15. By comparison, the Bucs secondary had 23 interceptions last season, but has none this season.
-- Remember us? St. Louis Rams starting linebackers Don Davis and Jamie Duncan are familiar with big games at Raymond James Stadium. Davis was a backup for the Bucs (1998-2000), and Duncan played from 1998-2001, starting 15 games last season.
They have moved on to team with Lovie Smith, their former linebackers coach in Tampa Bay and now the defensive coordinator with the Rams. Given that a loss would put the Rams in an 0-3 hole, Davis said the importance of tonight's game is a near mirror reflection of the Nov. 26 Monday night game in St. Louis, which the Bucs entered 4-5 and won 24-17.
"We look at this situation as similar to the Bucs last year," Davis said. "They had their backs against the wall and had to come in here and get a win.
"We have our backs against the wall, regardless of what the media or anybody says. And we've got to come out and basically get the win."
-- Remember me, too? Ryan Pickett, the Rams' second-year defensive tackle, was a standout lineman at Zephyrhills High School. The 6-3, 310-pound Pickett was the Times All-Suncoast Player of the Year in 1997 and a first-round draft pick out of Ohio State.
-- The Bucs are 5-4 on Monday night, including 4-1 at home, and have won three straight.
There's a brewing controversy between coach Jon Gruden and cornerback Ronde Barber, and it has nothing to do with playing time, performance or coaching approach.
This one's based on looks.
Last year, Gruden was on People magazine's list of most beautiful people in the world. The magazine later put Barber on its list of most beautiful athletes. Gruden, apparently, has enjoyed pointing out the difference to his Pro Bowl player.
"(He) came up to me one preseason game," Barber said, "I can't remember who we were playing, (but) we were standing on the sideline at the game and out of nowhere he says, 'I was (one of) People magazine's 50 most beautiful, where were you? You were just (one of the most beautiful) athletes.'
"He can keep that."
7: passing plays beyond 20 yards given up to the Giants by the Rams on Sept. 15.
14: receptions for Rams running back Marshall Faulk in the first week of the season.
73: consecutive starts by Rams left tackle Orlando Pace.
307: passing yards for Giants quarterback Kerry Collins in the win over the Rams.
609: yards of total offense the last time the Bucs played the Rams.
"You can't let anybody up off the mat, regardless of who they are, what time of year it is. You don't feel sorry for anybody. They have a bunch of champions over there, some of the best players probably in the whole league, and they just haven't come away with some wins."
-- Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson on facing the 0-2 Rams.