By RICK STROUD, JOANNE KORTH
Published December 6, 2003
TAMPA - Protection problems? Don't resort to using the shotgun, Bucs coach Jon Gruden said.
Tampa Bay's offensive line has been abused of late. After allowing one sack in the first five games, the Bucs have yielded 18 in the past seven. But Gruden said the shotgun does not afford more protection for the quarterback.
"We've contemplated using the shotgun, and at the same time, it's just not part of what we do here," Gruden said. "I think the people I've been around and associated with in football would say and agree with me that the shotgun does not improve pass protection. It might appear to in your back yard when you're playing with your kids. ... But timing of patterns, rhythm of throws and, obviously, the running game are a lot different in the shotgun than it is when you're underneath the center.
"The shotgun doesn't guarantee anything other than you're going to catch the ball deeper than where you take it away from the center. You still have to let the receivers run an 18- or 26-yard route. They still have to get from point A to point B. Whether you're standing back there after catching the ball or dropping back to that position, protection problems are protection problems, no matter how you take the ball away from center."
But Gruden said he's willing to examine anything that will improve the pass protection.
"I'm not anti-anything," Gruden said. "Anything that will help us win, I will do. We've got to improve in terms of our pass protection, and that's going to be a real challenge this week."
NO RESERVES: Despite the outlook, Gruden said the team will continue to try to win with its first string rather than give reserves a chance to see game action.
"The future is right around the corner, but we're more interested in the immediate future," Gruden said. "I don't like to look too far down the line, build teams. That's something you need to do in the offseason. During the regular season, you have to conquer each game, each task."
The stakes still are high.
"We're going to play the best players we have and try to beat the New Orleans Saints for the first time in two years," Gruden said. "We need to find a way to beat the Saints. They're as hot as anyone in the league (5-2 in the past seven games). We're going to need every healthy man and our best players to play their best."
Injuries likely will force rookie Ronyell Whitaker and Corey Ivy to see time at nickel back.
"They'll both play based on the situation and how we feel at the end of the day when we look at the practice tape," Gruden said. "We'll try to get a rotation that we can sink their teeth into and go out there and play their best." IT'S ... NO GOOD: Among the more baffling aspects about the Bucs this season is the performance of kicker Martin Gramatica. The former Pro Bowl player is 5-for-12 from 30 yards or beyond. The misses include two blocks, a 60-yarder, 62-yarder and 48-yarder.
"Here's a guy that I consider one of the great talents I've ever seen at that position," Gruden said. "Some of the things he can do kicking the ball are beyond imagination. I always struggle personally for a period of days when I see him miss because I don't understand how he does that. But for whatever reason, I think missing a big part of training camp with the groin pull, maybe his timing just never got right. We had the balls rejected against Carolina.
"And for whatever reason, we have not had the best of Martin Gramatica this year. But we still think he's phenomenal, and we expect him to make two or three kicks to help us win a game this week."
CATCHING ON: Receivers Reggie Barlow and Charles Lee, thrust into prominent roles by the deactivation of Keyshawn Johnson and season-ending injury to Joe Jurevicius, have responded well, Gruden said. The past two games, Lee has 11 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown, a 53-yarder against the Giants.
"He's made some yards after the catch, which is something we need here," Gruden said. "These next four games are critical for him to showcase what he can do. We like his size. We like his athleticism. We like his demeanor and the way he's working."
QUIET PLEASE: The Bucs-Saints game at the Louisiana Superdome is only the Bucs' second indoor game this season. (They won 31-10 at Atlanta on Sept. 21.) It might work in favor of the Bucs, who have had more false starts at home than on the road. "We expect it to be very loud, and we tried to work on our silent counts," Gruden said. "It's going to be a very loud crowd, very anti-Buccaneer, and we understand that going in."
FRESH FACES: The Bucs signed three players to the active roster and added one to the practice squad this week, an infusion of young players eager to prove themselves.
That attitude rubs off.
"I think change is always good," starting linebacker Ryan Nece said. "With these guys coming in, they might give you some fresh energy. They've got fresh legs, and they're enthusiastic. Their positive attitude will, hopefully, carry over."
INJURIES: Receiver Keenan McCardell (hip sprain), defensive end Simeon Rice (elbow sprain) and linebacker Nate Webster (turf toe) are probable for Sunday. Each practiced Friday.
