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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 25, 2002
TAMPA -- Not only do the Bucs have a stellar defensive line, but they are discovering creative and effective ways of attacking with it.
The Bucs constantly pressured Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, sacking him five times and forcing him to throw poor passes, four of which were intercepted. Part of that was because the Bucs used various defensive linemen in new ways.
For example, defensive end Simeon Rice frequently was switched from right side to left, and defensive tackle Warren Sapp was deployed at defensive end at times.
"The way those guys moved last night is a credit to (defensive line coach) Rod Marinelli and (defensive coordinator) Monte Kiffin," coach Jon Gruden said. "Warren Sapp played the right defensive end in some situations; Simeon Rice was over there; I thought (defensive lineman) Ellis Wyms had some good looks (Monday) night.
"We had a creative plan (Monday) night. We were trying to find matchups, and we knew the Rams were going to try to throw the ball repeatedly, and we wanted to try to get some versatility on our defensive line, and we also wanted to get certain matchups in certain situations. And I thought players responded to that."
NO LAUGHING AT THE BUNGLES: With the Bucs coming off an emotional win, there's concern they might have a letdown Sunday against the Bengals, who are 0-3 in blowouts.
The Bucs, though, say they respect the Bengals, who narrowly lost to Tampa Bay 16-13 in overtime in Cincinnati last season. Gruden made the Bengals, who have been outscored 84-16 this season, sound almost as good as the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots.
"They have a lot of talented players and were the talk of the league in some circles as being the team that was going to explode onto the scene. And they still may," Gruden said. "They are dangerous. I think our team, when they start looking at the film, will respect that. We take nothing for granted here. We don't discriminate against anyone we play. We know we have to go out there and play at the same level to win."
Linebacker Derrick Brooks said the Bucs are focusing on themselves, not the Bengals.
"It's not about the Bengals; it's about finishing off this first quarter 3-1, keeping pace with two teams that are undefeated in our division (Carolina and New Orleans)," Brooks said. "We're not looking past them by no means because it took us five quarters to beat them last year, so we know they're a tough football team.
"But we keep the issue about us. It's about what we do and how we do it, and that's what controls the outcome of the ballgame from our perspective."
BROOKS IMPRESSES THE BOSS: While fans may be used to seeing Brooks make huge plays as he did Monday night, it's still a novelty for Gruden, who said he gets overexcited at times when his five-time Pro Bowl player makes crucial plays.
"He's got great charisma among his teammates, dynamic leadership and just, to me, one of the more complete football players I have ever been around," Gruden said. "He can defend the pass and some of the open-field tackles that he makes are amazing plays. You take them for granted, I think. But when you're a newcomer like I am, maybe you get too excited. He kind of looks at me (and says), 'Look, I've done this for seven or eight years now. Calm down.' He fires me up, he really does."
PUTTING MOM ON HOLD: Brooks, whose interception return for a touchdown against the Rams was the third of his career, said he kept the previous balls and has them displayed at home. He kept the one from Monday night, but it may not join the others.
"I think my Mom was calling asking about this one. I might have to give this one up. I don't know yet," he said, grinning. "I told her we'll decide at the end of the season."