Special teams focus on making the plays

TAMPA -- Special-teams units have come under heavy fire in recent weeks, and it intensified after Sunday's 23-20 loss in New Orleans.

In that game, the Bucs got little from their returners and gave up a 41-yard kickoff return and a 56-yard punt return to Michael Lewis that led to third-quarter touchdowns.

This week, coach Jon Gruden has made it clear that the struggles on special teams must stop.

And the players have paid attention.

"The stuff that we're doing is good stuff, but we just have to do it better," tight end Todd Yoder said. "Maybe it's a technique thing, where we're on the outside shoulder instead of the inside shoulder on a block or whatever. The theories we're trying to use are good.

"Against the Saints, we had guys in position to make plays and just didn't make it. Those were big plays, no doubt."

And while kicker Martin Gramatica is having another solid season and veteran punter Tom Tupa has been productive in recent weeks, the Bucs have not had success in the return game.

Punt returner Karl Williams had three returns for 14 yards and teamed with Aaron Stecker and Dwight Smith on six kickoff returns for 105 yards and two fumbles.

"What's been happening usually is one guy here or one guy there not getting their block," Stecker said. "But it's part of football. We have to take it upon ourselves, if we're part of the people making errors, then we have to watch more film and correct things. We have to make things happen.

"We've also had a lot of penalties on special teams, and Coach has addressed that. He's not happy with it. We know."

VETERAN PERSPECTIVE: Trust a seasoned player like receiver Keenan McCardell to not hide from the obvious. The Bucs defense, ranked No. 1 in the NFL, has been outstanding all season and has accounted for five touchdowns and two safeties. McCardell said it's time for the offense to lend a helping hand.

"We need to do our part," said McCardell, who had 11 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown Sunday. "Our defense has been carrying us all year, and they will continue to do their part. As an offense, we want to step up and help them out. Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense."

HE'S BIG ON MAC: Falcons coach Dan Reeves is well aware that Bucs defensive tackle Anthony McFarland will return to the lineup Sunday and said the value of McFarland's presence can't be understated.

"(Defensive tackle Chartric) Darby has done a great job playing in his place, but you know McFarland is one of the better defensive tackles in the league," Reeves said. "A lot of times you have a hard time telling No. 92 from No. 99 because he and (Warren) Sapp are so much alike and are such a force in there that you have to reckon with.

"Not taking anything away from Darby, but McFarland is a guy you have to account for in the running game or passing game."

CROWDED BACKFIELD: Much was made this season of having running backs Warrick Dunn and rookie T.J. Duckett in the same Falcons backfield, considering both want to be the featured runner.

So far, the two have blended well, and each has done well in the featured role when the other has been injured.

Dunn, who has had two 100-yard games, has 160 carries for 627 yards and a 3.9-yard average. Duckett has 114 carries for 451 yards and a 4.0 average.

"I think we help each other out a lot," Duckett said. "And when we each have opportunities, we both go and try to make the most out of that, and I think that's helped us both."

Bucs safety John Lynch said what the Falcons have is a luxury any team in the league would love, two formidable ball carriers.

"Duckett's average is 4.0 and Warrick's 3.9, so the results are pretty much similar," Lynch said. "We will be prepared for everything. That is one thing the Falcons do well, they give you a lot of different looks and a lot of different plays from those looks."

BACK IN ACTION: Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (flu) and Dunn (ankle) returned to practice and are likely to play Sunday. Vick, who was held out of practice Wednesday and was listed as questionable, was removed from the injury list. Dunn, who also skipped practice Wednesday, has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable.

INJURY UPDATE: Defensive end Ellis Wyms (right ankle sprain) did not practice for the second straight day and remains questionable. Darby (left quads contusion), safety Dexter Jackson (right quads bruise), Stecker (right lower leg bruise) and Williams (left ankle sprain) practiced and are probable.