Defense closes out, avoids repeats of '04

By DAVE SCHEIBER
Published October 3, 2005

	[Times photo: Carrie Pratt]
	Lions running back Artose Pinner finds little room to run against Bucs defenders Chris Hovan, right, and Derrick Brooks. Bucs Forum | Photo gallery Bucs Hotline: 866-371-9605 4-0 by inches avoids repeats of '04 Pittman: no whine, no pout, all clutch Walker's hustle play saves the day, again Williams reminds all that he's only human John Romano: Gimme 5 Gary Shelton: Gumped-out Griese makes grade, for now

TAMPA - A year ago, it was the kind of storyline that ended far differently.

Faced with chances to lock up a victory, the Bucs defense usually found a way to let opportunity slip away into defeat. But Sunday, the league's top-ranked unit once again demonstrated how much has changed since the debacles of 2004.

Despite dominating the Lions offense for much of the day, the defense was pushed to the limit on the final drive, as Detroit marched from its 7 to Tampa Bay's 12 with seconds remaining. But in the end, after surviving an instant replay call that negated a go-ahead touchdown, the defense held its ground for the 17-13 win.

In the process, it learned something about itself.

"We needed this, it's a rite of passage game," said defensive end Simeon Rice minutes after Tampa Bay improved to 4-0. "When you get through a game like this, it shows you what you're about and shows you where you're trying to go. ... At certain points, this is a journey. And it was a hell of a journey today."

Entering the contest, the journey had yielded admirable results, with the unit allowing only two touchdowns (both to Green Bay) in three games. In addition to its overall top ranking, it also was No.1 against the run. But against Detroit, the defense passed a new test, effectively containing Detroit's trio of big receivers, Roy Williams (3 catches, 54 yards), Mike Williams (3-22) and Marcus Pollard (2-5).

In addition, it rose to the occasion when Bucs rookie tailback Cadillac Williams was hobbled by a hamstring injury, finishing with 13 yards on 11 carries after his record-setting start to the season. It also hung tough when Brian Griese's four turnovers kept the Lions in the game.

"Any time a team gets the ball with a turnover and comes on your side of the field, it's a chance to be great," defensive tackle Anthony McFarland said "It's a chance to step up. And we did that. We have a lot of guys with a lot of heart and we kept fighting."

In the end, the Bucs held Detroit to 226 yards. It allowed only its third touchdown of the season when, after the first of Griese's three interceptions, tailback Kevin Jones scored on an 8-yard run that put the Lions ahead 10-3 late in the first half.

Griese's third pick came in the fourth quarter and gave the Lions a first down at the Bucs 23, trailing 17-10. Again the defense stepped up, forcing Detroit to settle for Jason Hanson's 23-yard field goal after a first and goal from the 7.

"I feel grateful, to be honest with you," linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "Thank God for the effort out there, on both sides of the ball. ... Thank God the replay official saw it as we did in our locker room and changed that call. Things like that go your way throughout a ballgame sometimes, and we've been pretty fortunate this year at the end of games to make plays to win games."

"We're definitely a headstrong group," cornerback Ronde Barber said. "We accept all challenges."

Rice echoed the sentiment: "We came through some adverse circumstances ... and came out with a victory. That's all we were really playing for in the end. So the details of it we're gonna fix. But we're sailing right now. We're headed north, at a rapid pace."

[Last modified October 3, 2005, 01:16:11]