Did you hear the one about the O-Line?

Last season, the Bucs offensive line was a punch line. After Week 1, it looks like it may be punching back.

By DAVE SCHEIBER
Published September 13, 2005

TAMPA - Last year, they were little more than a punch line in a long, unfunny season.

But Monday, in the wake of the Bucs' 24-13 victory over Minnesota, the often-maligned members of the Tampa Bay offensive line earned high marks for the unexpected punch they provided.

The season opener in the Metrodome had all the trappings of another pratfall, considering the patchwork unit's inexperience and lack of continuity.

There was second-year left tackle Anthony Davis, who played in only two games in 2004, rookie Dan Buenning at left guard and third-year right guard Sean Mahan, who started last season as a reserve and moved to center when starter John Wade suffered a career-threatening knee injury.

But the new kids held their own and blended well with the veterans: rehabilitated center Wade, fifth-year right tackle Kenyatta Walker and backup left tackle Todd Steussie. They protected quarterback Brian Griese reasonably well and helped create holes for rookie running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, whose late 71-yard touchdown burst capped a 148-yard rushing day.

"John Wade, I tip my hat to him; he had a serious knee injury, so I'm questioning whether or not he'll ever play again, let alone in the opening game," coach Jon Gruden said at his weekly news conference at One Buc Place.

"I thought those guys battled. They did some good things. Minnesota has a very good front. They've added a great nose tackle (Pat Williams) from Buffalo. ... I thought (our offensive line) handled the noise at times pretty good. I thought we had some careless errors - a couple of penalties, particularly in the second half - but those guys deserve a lot of credit."

It was a stark contrast to last season, when the Bucs had an aging, ineffective group nearing the end of the line. Now, the contingent is one of youth and potential, with a chance to grow together.

"We hope it can," Gruden said. "We got our first glimpse of what these guys can do wire to wire. We've had so many of them injured, Buenning and Anthony Davis have missed starts in the preseason and John Wade has been somewhat limited. But yeah, we hope to grow offensively, starting up front."

Davis admitted to a case of pregame jitters.

"After the first two series, we got into a rhythm," the former Virginia Tech standout said. "Griese told us to calm down. We came off ... and (line coach Bill) Muir and all the other guys said calm down and just play football, and that's what we did."

With so much focus on the line's woes in past years, the game was a confidence boost for Davis and his fellow linemen.

"It was a step in the right direction," Davis said. "But it's just one game. We've got to have a short memory. We'll watch the film and learn from our mistakes and take it to the yard at home against Buffalo."

In the locker room at the Metrodome on Sunday, All-Pro linebacker Derrick Brooks gave the line credit for the way it "stepped up" in a high-pressure situation. Monday, Griese stood by his locker and praised his blockers.

"You know, for their first time out, I thought they did a great job ... in pass protection and also in the running game," Griese said. "I haven't seen the film yet, but coming out of the game I felt really good about the way that they played and the poise that they showed.

"It's not easy in that kind of environment. If they can do it there, they can do it anywhere."

[Last modified September 13, 2005, 01:58:02]