By JOANNE KORTH and ROGER MILLS
Published December 13, 2003
TAMPA - The Bucs could be without defensive tackle Warren Sapp, right tackle Kenyatta Walker and tight end Ken Dilger for Sunday's game against the Texans.
None practiced Friday.
Sapp (foot strain) and Dilger (hamstring strain) are "very questionable," coach Jon Gruden said. Walker (elbow infection) still has inflammation in his right bursa sac, but Gruden remains hopeful the swelling will go down.
"Obviously, we're concerned," Gruden said of Walker. "We kept him out of practice trying to reduce the swelling. If he can play, he'll play. ... It will probably go right down to game day."
If Walker cannot play, Cornell Green will start at right tackle. Green, a fourth-year pro, started three games in November when Walker moved to left tackle for injured starter Roman Oben.
If Sapp cannot play, nose tackle Anthony McFarland will move to under tackle and Chartric Darby will start at nose. Darby, a third-year pro, started six games last season when McFarland was injured, plus all three postseason games.
NOW OR NEVER: With three games left and a chance for the playoffs a slim possibility, the Bucs understand the importance of Sunday's game. Receiver Keenan McCardell, who has been one of the most consistent players all season, said the urgency pervades the locker room.
"Everybody in this locker room realizes that this is the sixth time we're going for a second win," McCardell said. "So, you really have to go out and put out your best effort and play the football coach has talked about. Bring it to the game on Sunday and play with it."
A win brings the Bucs to 7-7, the first time the team will be .500 in six weeks.
"We haven't played with a lot of life (during that stretch)," McCardell said. "The life was there (Sunday). So, we're ready to play. The playoff thing, we don't know what's going to happen. Our goal is to finish 9-7 and that means our goal right now is to get the seventh win and that's over the Texans."
MISTAKEN IDENTITY: It is happening more and more and second-year linebacker Ryan Nece is happy to soak it up.
Nece, who wears No. 56, routinely is mistaken for linebacker Derrick Brooks, who wears No. 55, during TV broadcasts. Plays made by Brooks have been credited to Nece.
"To be honest with you, it's funny," Nece said. "There have been times when my family or friends have called and said, "I saw you caused a fumble last week.' I've had to say, "Nah, it was Brooks.' "
Nece said the closeness of their numbers and the fact that TV announcers have a second or two to make a call explains the mixup.
"It's definitely a mistake that a lot of people make because the numbers are so close, especially when you're looking at them so quickly; you only get a glance," Nece said. "I don't mind it."
GOT DIRECT TV?: Because of an NFL broadcast rule, Sunday's game will not be shown on Orlando's CBS affiliate, despite the growing Bucs fan base. Instead, the channel will air Jaguars-Patriots in New England.
Dick Maxwell, the NFL's senior director of broadcast operations and services, said the Orlando affiliate is bound to show the Jaguars game because the Jaguars are on the road and the Bucs are at home and both share the Orlando market.
"As it turns out, Orlando has both Tampa and Jacksonville as markets," Maxwell said. "By terms of the contract, all road games have to be televised to the primary and secondary market. The Jaguars are on the road, so their game goes to the Orlando market."
Maxwell said if the Bucs were on the road, the game would not be on CBS, then could be aired simultaneously by Fox.
SEASON OF GIVING: The Glazer Family Foundation, the charitable arm of the Bucs, donated $25,000 to 19 organizations in the bay area. Among those to receive grants were the Children's Home Inc., the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay, Meals on Wheels of Tampa, Lighthouse Ministries and the Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services.
Also, fans can bring toys to Sunday's game for the Toys for Tots drive. Toys should be new and unwrapped and can be deposited at stadium entrances when gates open at 11 a.m.
INJURY REPORT: Fullback Darian Barnes (left ankle sprain), safety David Gibson (left ankle sprain), safety John Lynch (right shoulder strain), defensive end Simeon Rice (left elbow sprain) and Walker are probable. Sapp and Dilger are questionable.
