Redzone

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published December 11, 2005

INSIDE THE BUCS MEETING ROOM

KEEP IT SHORT: Time is of the essence against the Panthers' disruptive defensive front, so Chris Simms will have to utilize the short passing game, making players such as tight end Alex Smith and fullback Mike Alstott an important part of the game plan. Joey Galloway, of course, has no qualms about turning short passes into long gains.

IF IT AIN'T BROKE: The running game is working, and the Bucs need to rely on it today. When they fell behind against the Panthers Nov. 6, they became predictable and one-dimensional with the pass. Simms attempted a career-high 42 passes. If Tampa Bay can establish the run today, it will give the Bucs a chance to be selective with their passing game.

BRING THE HEAT: Jake Delhomme is the last quarterback you want to allow to get in a comfort zone. The steady-handed player routinely picks apart defenses when he has the time. The Bucs had just one sack in the last meeting, but the defense has nine sacks in the four games since. Look for defensive end Simeon Rice to be active after being limited to a single tackle last time.

STRIKE FIRST: Sounds logical, but it is essential where the Bucs are concerned. Tampa Bay is 7-1 in games it has scored first. When playing with a lead, the Bucs are a different team. Simms plays more steady, they can lean on the running game and the defense can take chances, which often pay off handsomely.

A RUN GAME, TOO: DeShaun Foster might be heating up after rushing for 131 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, last weekend against Atlanta. He became Carolina's first 100-yard rusher this season. The Panthers beat the Bucs last time without much of a ground game, rushing for just 77 yards. If Carolina gets the running game going, it might require Tampa Bay to allocate an eighth defender to the box.

WHERE'S GALLOWAY?: The Bucs can be deceptive with their formations and personnel, but just because they line up in a two tight-end set doesn't mean receiver Joey Galloway won't be a factor. Galloway typically ends up with one-on-one coverage when defenses play the run, and that's trouble. He'll draw more attention after catching a 50-yard touchdown in the last meeting.

PICK YOUR SPOTS: Against one of the league's best secondaries, Jake Delhomme is not going to try to be a hero. The Bucs had seven pass deflections against him in the first meeting, which accounted for each of his seven incompletions. Ronde Barber is coming off a career-best-matching three interceptions against the Saints.

BLITZ SIMMS: Chris Simms has shown marked improvement and has been much more poised, but if the Panthers have one of their trademark dominating performances up front, the quarterback will be hard-pressed to beat the Panthers with his arm. This is a defense that sacked Michael Vick five times last weekend. Also, prepare for the latest installment of Julius Peppers vs. Kenyatta Walker.

Running back Cadillac Williams on defensive ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker:

"I don't know. It's a tossup between them and Chicago as the best tandem in the NFL. They're just extremely talented up front."

[Last modified December 11, 2005, 02:15:36]