Brooks' dominance nets him NFC honor

TAMPA -- The fact that no one on the team has more touchdowns than linebacker Derrick Brooks is surprising. What isn't is that the eighth-year linebacker and five-time Pro Bowl player again is being recognized for his outstanding play.

After tallying 13 tackles, a pass defensed, an interception and his third touchdown this season, Brooks on Wednesday was named NFC defensive player of the week. Through five weeks, Brooks has 48 tackles (second on the team), four interceptions (first), eight passes defensed (second) and one sack.

"I'm motivated to win, more or less the same as it's always been," Brooks said. "I just thank God that we're making plays defensively. It's nothing magical; it's just guys getting the opportunities to make plays and just stepping up and making them.

"I've prepared the same as I've always done. You try to do little things a little different but to me, I just have a routine of doing things, and it's worked so far."

What also is working is his left foot. Brooks struggled most of last season with a severe left foot sprain but started every game. He spent the offseason rehabbing the foot.

"I thank God for my health every day because I know how I felt this time last year and I don't wish that on anybody," Brooks said.

Linebackers coach Joe Barry said getting healthy has everything to do with Brooks' play.

"A year ago he was trying, but he had a flat tire," Barry said. "He worked his tail off this offseason, had a great training camp and a great preseason."

Brooks said his early success is a product of the play of the defense as a whole.

"That's the big difference between this year and last year. We're making the plays," Brooks said. "We're in a position to make a play. Everybody is putting in that effort. We don't know who's going to come up with the big play, we just know somebody is going to make it."

WALKER RETURNS: It looks as if right tackle Kenyatta Walker, who has missed two games with a sprained left ankle, will be active Sunday against the Browns.

"I just have to go out there and play," Walker said. "Tape it up and let's ride. You can't really favor it because the minute I favor it, they're going to think something is wrong and pull me out. The biggest thing is that I don't want to go out there and be hurt and hurt the team. I have to go out there and play."

The Bucs are eager to get Walker back into the lineup.

"I don't know if he'll start yet, but we'll see how the week goes," coach Jon Gruden said. "He looked like he was moving around okay. We'll have to look at the film and see exactly how it was. But if you ask him, it feels pretty good and he's ready to go. He's been inactive for some time and we'll do what's best for our team here in the next couple of days. But it's encouraging, obviously, to have him back."

After being moved to right tackle in training camp, Walker was benched for the opener and reinstated against the Ravens and Rams. He sprained the ankle late in the Rams game. He says getting back on the field couldn't be more essential.

"Very much so," Walker said. "I've been through a lot. ... It's just been the first two years and look how crazy it's been.

"I feel that the worst is past me. I'm settling into the position I'm in, on and off the field. Things are coming a lot better and I'm really trying to get back on that track. ... I need to play."

GODSPEED, GOODSPEED: The Bucs released offensive tackle Dan Goodspeed and signed safety Dwayne Stukes to the practice squad. Stukes was with the Bucs through preseason and was released Sept. 1. He was re-signed Sept. 4 but released six days later.

YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE: Cleveland has been abuzz this week after quarterback Tim Couch ripped Browns fans for booing him, then cheering when he got injured Sunday against the Ravens.

Browns coach Butch Davis said he had a long talk with his young quarterback and thinks the incident is behind them.

"The stark reality of playing quarterback in the National Football League, as I told Tim, is that there have probably been 200 quarterbacks and a lot of them have gone on to win Super Bowls and become great quarterbacks in this league that were hung in effigy in their stadiums, as (former Steelers quarterback) Terry Bradshaw was, and booed unmercifully in Giants Stadium, as Phil Simms was until he went on and led their team to Super Bowls and stuff," Davis said. "It just kind of goes with the territory. It's one of those lessons."

Said Couch: "I think it's something that happened. I don't think I'm going to think about it the rest of the year."

NO MORE OUCH FOR COUCH: Couch, knocked out of Sunday's game with a concussion, said he feels fine and will start.

"Everything is cleared up," said Couch, who called the injury mild. "All of the cobwebs and the daze and all that kind of stuff is gone and everything feels back to normal."

INJURY REPORT: Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland (left foot sprain) and safety John Lynch (right knee sprain) did not practice and are questionable for Sunday's game. Along with Walker, fullback Mike Alstott (left ankle sprain) and safety Dexter Jackson (left knee contusion) are probable.