Bucs can't recover after turning it over

TAMPA -- Not surprisingly, the common thread through the Bucs' four losses this season has been turnovers. In two defeats to the Saints, one at Philadelphia and another Monday night against the Steelers, the Bucs have turned the ball over nine times.

For a team whose success is predicated on solid defense and controlling field position, turnovers are the kiss of death.

"I would say the turnover ratio is a big thing," coach Jon Gruden said. "We turned the ball over in the dome in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago and that really hurt us. We fumbled the kickoff return, then we fumbled another kickoff return, threw two interceptions and we fumbled (twice against the Steelers).

"The turnover bug is a big factor when you lose. It was a factor in Philadelphia, to be honest. I believe we turned the ball over on the game's first play."

Against the Steelers, the turnover bug bit, as it seems to have for the Bucs this season, at the wrong time. After a six-play, 81-yard drive by the Steelers in the opening sequence of the game, Bucs quarterback Shaun King threw an interception that was returned 30 yards for the touchdown by safety Chad Scott.

Trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, the Bucs could have wrestled some momentum from the Steelers with a score, but Mike Alstott lost a fumble at the Steelers 7.

Backup quarterback Rob Johnson gave up the third turnover of the game, fumbling late in the third quarter at the Steelers 3.

NO SECOND-GUESSING: Conventional wisdom said the Bucs' 28th-ranked running attack would not fare well against the Steelers' No. 1-ranked rushing defense. But with King struggling, the Bucs were able to gain some yards on the ground.

In fact, in a game in which Tampa Bay threw 44 times, the running game managed a respectable 74 yards on 14 carries (5.3 average).

"We tried to run the ball," Gruden said. "We ran the ball with some success. We had a couple long runs, which obviously favor the statistics. But when you're down 17-0, it's a three-possession game. You need to score three times, two touchdowns and a field goal. Against a ball-control team like Pittsburgh and given the field position that we had, we had to move the football, get something on the board."

Teams have had some success against the Steelers by abandoning the running game. With King making his first start since Dec. 31, 2000, Gruden said the decision to live with the passing game was a product of the score.

"I try not to second-guess myself publicly, but privately there's always things that maybe you could have done differently," Gruden said. "Given the score of the game, given what we felt we needed to get done and the confidence in our passing game, and what it's done for us to get to 11-3, no, I don't second-guess it at all."

INJURY UPDATE: Defensive tackle Warren Sapp sprained his left knee and has some swelling. He will be listed as questionable, and it is unclear if he will practice today.

"He's very sore (Tuesday) morning, my report is," Gruden said. "Any time you tweak your knee and you have some swelling in there, you have to be concerned."

Linebackers Nate Webster, Jack Golden and Shelton Quarles, cornerback Ronde Barber and running back Mike Alstott all suffered minor injuries but will be probable for Sunday's game.

KEEPING PERSPECTIVE: Trust veteran safety John Lynch to be the voice of reason and hope at a time when his team is down. Lynch said the team would have had to forget the Monday night game anyway.

"Just as if we would have won, you have to put it behind you," Lynch said. "We certainly aren't pleased with how we played, but now (this week) takes on added importance. If we're going to get that bye, we need help. But if you're good enough to win the Super Bowl, you just go out and do it. The Ravens did it. The Patriots did it. You just do it."

BAD DAY TO BE KING: It was his first start in nearly two years and it came at a crucial time against a top-ranked defense. But don't expect anyone in the locker room to have any sympathy for King. And don't expect King to, either.

"I can come out next week and I will be able to be a lot better," King said. "I thought I did some good things. There were some plays I left out there and I wish I could get them back. It wasn't a good half of football. (There's not) a lot of football left. I'll get better."

King said he accepts that he didn't play the way he had in past games but would try to find something positive.

"I felt like I missed some things I know I should make, generally make, most of the time," he said. "But I don't think we did anything that's not correctable. You have to try to take the positive and improve on the things you didn't do right."