By RICK STROUD and JOANNE KORTH
Published December 19, 2003
TAMPA - The more players changed, the more some things remained the same.
Despite injuries, the Bucs defense has allowed the fewest points in the league for the second year in a row.
The silver lining to the season might be that the Bucs discovered some depth for 2004.
"I think that's why we're excited about the future of the Buccaneers," coach Jon Gruden said Thursday. "There's a lot of new men who've contributed to that, from Tim Wansley to Ronyell Whitaker and Jermaine Phillips. Dwight Smith at two or three different positions. Ryan Nece, Dwayne Rudd. And offensively, we've had five to six new starters for most of the season. So we've been able to develop some youth and some depth that will help us in the next couple of years."
PHOTO FINISH: The Bucs need help to make the playoffs, like if the Vikings, Seahawks and Cowboys lost and the Packers won. But Gruden hasn't memorized the playoff scenarios.
"Yeah, we're aware we need to win," Gruden said. "We're aware we need to win and we need help. But to sit around and call your friends and try to rally other teams to help you out is beside the point. We've got to take care of our business.
"We can still be one hell of a football team and not make the tournament. That's something you've got to think about a little bit also. We'd like to win and close the regular season in convincing fashion and that's the goal we have set for ourselves."
DANCE FEVER: He didn't pull out a cell phone or draw a fine, but Falcons running back T.J. Duckett received his share of criticism for his dancing celebration of the touchdown in Atlanta's 38-7 loss last weekend at Indianapolis.
"I'm having a great time playing the game, regardless what our record is," Duckett said. "This is a dream of mine, to play pro football. On the field, regardless of what the score is, I'm having fun.
"At the time it was definitely a frustrating game, and I was excited to get in the end zone. I was excited to play. I was having fun on the field. That rules the way I express my excitement emotionally. True, it might not have been the right place and time to do it because of the score and that situation, but at the same time I'm having a good time out there.
"Just because I score, I'm not going to hang my head and walk down. Even though we're losing, I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to celebrate it and I'll be back in there soon."
DUNN LUCK: Former Bucs running back Warrick Dunn is yet to play at Raymond James Stadium as a member of the Falcons. Last season Dunn had a sprained ankle and now he is on injured reserve with a foot injury that required surgery.
"A player never wants to not play," said Duckett, who will start Saturday. "I'm sure he wants to play as bad as the next person, especially having played there. ... Knowing the competitor he is, I think it hurts him inside not to be able to play."
INJURIES: Defensive tackle Warren Sapp (foot) and tight end Ken Dilger (hamstring) practiced and are expected to start Saturday.
