Eliminated from the playoffs, the Bucs will try to get in touch with their inner child today, the part they used to hate when a setting sun chased them off the playing field for the day. Today, they will play for pride and for fun.
"As a kid, you came out and played your hardest - win, lose or draw," receiver Keenan McCardell said. "Even though we're professionals, that kid mentality comes in and you play your hardest until you can't play anymore."
STREAKING
The Bucs rank fourth in total defense (274.8 ypg) and are looking to finish among the top 10 for the seventh consecutive season, the longest current streak in the NFL.
RECORD WATCH
Brad Johnson, who set team passing records for yardage (3,715), completions (341) and touchdowns (26) this season, has one mark left to break. His 547 attempts lead the league and are 12 shy of his 2001 franchise record.
NUMBERS GAME
15 - Sacks by Simeon Rice the first 13 games.
2 - Sacks Rice needs to break Warren Sapp's team record.
0 - Sacks by Rice the past two games.
SMALL WORLD
Linebacker Shelton Quarles and tight end Todd Yoder played at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Quarles was born in Nashville and went to White Creek High School.
OFF LIMITS
No self-respecting Bucs fan would be caught today listening to country music. Nashville, home of the Grand Ole Opry, is the hub of the country music world. If you must twang, plug in California native and Nashville outsider Dwight Yoakam.
THE LAST WORD
"Right now isn't the appropriate time to look back on the season. We still have a game left."
