Cause no one says it quite like Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice.
"We'll have our hands full. It will be interesting to see what we do on offense to throw him off. He knows this offense like the back of his hand. We're not going to roll over. We are still knowledgeable on how to go about this game and get the victory. Our hands will be full, nonetheless."
- on former Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp.
GOT A MINUTE? RB Charlie Garner
One of several former Raiders on the Bucs roster, Garner spent three seasons in Oakland. He has experienced the Black Hole as friend and foe, so should be considered an expert.
Will the Black Hole be any different than playing in front of more than 90,000 Redskins fans for the opener?
GARNER: Yeah, it is different. It's a more hostile crowd. The Washington crowd was a Gibbs-favored crowd; they were cheering and they were loud. But this crowd will be loud and obnoxious.
How do you combat the Black Hole?
GARNER: You just have to go in there and stay focused. Their thing out there is "Poise in the noise." That's what we have to bring when we go out there. We have to stay poised in the noise and just go out there and execute and play up to our capabilities.
Is it safest to wear your helmet on the sideline?
GARNER: In the Black Hole you should keep your helmet on. On the sideline we have a little more room, but in that end zone keep your helmet on. It's the whole end zone. And if you're leaving from that end zone, you better change your clothes or you might get a DUI driving home.
SMALL WORLD
Quarterbacks and coaches are well traveled in today's NFL, but it's rare for both starting quarterbacks to have played for the opposing coaches in their careers. The Raiders' Rich Gannon played for Jon Gruden for three seasons in Oakland. The Bucs' Brad Johnson played for Norv Turner for two seasons in Washington. Does anyone have an advantage? Nope. Too much has changed. Gruden helped the Bucs defense prepare for Super Bowl XXXVII by imitating Gannon during practice, but Turner has installed a new offense with new snap counts.
BULLETIN BOARD
"I think all of that was before I was born. They haven't won anything since I was born, so I don't know anything about the Raider mystique."
- cornerback Dwight Smith, who was 5 when the Raiders won their third and most recent Super Bowl on Jan. 22, 1984.
GOT A PLAY?
Not much seems to be working for the Bucs offense this season, and hundreds of armchair quarterbacks - we know you're out there - no doubt think they could do better. Well, here's your chance. Diagram a play you believe will work for the Bucs and send it to us with a description of your X's and O's and, of course, why it's sure to befuddle an NFL defense. We'll print selected responses.
FAX: (727) 893-8782. Send to attention Joanne Korth. Include name, address, phone number.
MAIL: Send to attention Joanne Korth, Sports, St. Petersburg Times, 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 33701. Include name, address, phone number.
E-MAIL: korth@sptimes.com Include e-mail address, name, phone number.
