Another fall from grace? Bucs hope not

October has been a scary month in seasons past for Tampa Bay.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 1, 2002

TAMPA -- The Bucs are hoping Jon Gruden is Mr. October.

If it is the month of the Fall Classic, it must be time for the Bucs' classic fall.

Tampa Bay has started 3-4 each of the past five seasons, under-achieving that mark largely due to an annual collapse in the second month of the regular season.

Since 1996, the Bucs are 7-14 in October. And the schedule is not very kind this season.

Three of Tampa Bay's next four games are on the road and two are against NFC South opponents, staring Sunday at Atlanta. After hosting Cleveland on Oct. 13, the Bucs visit Philadelphia and division foe Carolina. The Eagles have won three straight against the Bucs, eliminating them from the playoffs in the wild-card round the past two seasons.

But one-fourth of the way through the schedule, Gruden likes the Bucs' position.

"We break the season down into four-game segments and we finished the first quarter with a 3-1 record, a three-game winning streak, we won two games on the road," he said. "Those are positive things.

"We started the quarter, however, with a conference loss to the Saints. And we begin the second quarter with a conference game against the Falcons. These divisional games are huge, and what's happened in the past is in the past, and we've got to concentrate on the short-term and zero in on the Atlanta Falcons and play our best football because that's what it's going to take to win."

At least defensively, Gruden can argue that the Bucs never have been better.

Tampa Bay's defense has allowed 21 points during the three-game winning streak, including shutting out Baltimore and not allowing an offensive score Sunday at Cincinnati.

During that stretch, the Bucs have allowed an average of 233 total yards, forced seven turnovers, recorded 11 sacks and produced three touchdowns and a safety.

"The big thing with them is they are getting turnovers," quarterback Brad Johnson said. "And obviously they have scored, but they have always created turnovers. So they are playing exactly the way they want to play."

In some ways, the Bucs might face their biggest defensive challenge Sunday at Atlanta. The Falcons, coming off a bye week, are much better than their 1-2 record indicates, having lost to Green Bay in overtime and to Chicago when Atlanta missed a last-second field goal.

The Falcons also have one of the NFL's fastest offensive backfields with quarterback Michael Vick and former Bucs running back Warrick Dunn.

"It's going to make Atlanta a very difficult team to defend," Gruden said. "They've had an opportunity to really win every game they've played. They move the ball consistently, made big plays against Green Bay, put themselves in position to win, lost on a last-second field goal against Chicago. These guys can get out of trouble. Until that whistle blows, you'd better get people to the football because they can come out of the trash and make big plays with quickness, and they can hurt you in a hurry with their finishing speed."

The Bucs traditionally have finished the season strong. Since '96, they are 17-8 in December. But the quick start is somewhat new. In 2000, the Bucs started 3-0 before losing four in a row.

And consider that entering Monday night's game, the Bucs' three wins have come against teams that are a combined 1-10. So it's a little too early to celebrate, according to Gruden.

"We're blessed to have some real dynamic leaders here. And we know it's not about where you line up, it's where you wind up," he said. "Being 3-1 and being in first place after four games really doesn't mean very much in the big picture in terms of where we want to go, but it is a very good start.

"I think the theme around here is going to be very simple: stay short-term goal oriented, you get what you deserve. We've got to really increase the details now. We've got to pick up the details, all the details in all the areas. We've got to really focus and zoom in even more now that we've shown we can play in this league. That's going to be important when you play a team like the Falcons and as we head down the stretch."