McFarland: Rest will help his hamstring

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER and RICK STROUD
Published December 14, 2005

TAMPA - Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland is injured again, but he sure doesn't seem worried about it.

"This is not bone grafts here," McFarland said Tuesday. "It's a simple hamstring strain, people."

The questions came with machine-gun frequency as McFarland spoke to reporters. He said tests performed Monday indicated the left hamstring is not torn, but strained. McFarland remained doubtful for Saturday's game at New England, the Bucs' third consecutive on the road.

McFarland has missed 17 games in three seasons. Last season, he missed the final eight games because of a triceps injury. But McFarland scoffed at the notion that he is prone to injuries late in the season.

"It's a hamstring strain, so why would you feel snake bitten?" he said. "You might (think so), but I don't. ... Let's not make more out of it than it is."

McFarland said there wasn't much that could be done to address the injury outside of staying off the leg.

"I'm going to sit back and let the strain heal up for a minute," he said. "It's a day-by-day thing. The good thing is (I) didn't do a lot of damage to it. ... There's nothing you can do. Nothing but rest."

MESSAGE RECEIVED: Before the Bucs embarked on a three-game road swing, several veteran players mapped out their path to success.

In a players' only meeting, complete with charts, linebacker Derrick Brooks emphasized the importance of turning up the intensity to win in December.

"You know, we had a team meeting, just players only, and of course, our leaders - Ronde Barber, Mike Alstott, Brooks - they kind of gathered the team up and put the schedule up in front of us right here and pretty much said this is what we've got to do in December," quarterback Chris Simms said. "I think that opened some rookies eyes to say if you want to play in January, this is the month that you've got to earn the money in."

Barber said the meeting was to set the tone for the three consecutive road games against New Orleans, Carolina and New England.

"We have a couple of them a year," Barber said. "The captains get up there, mainly Brooks. I don't do a lot of talking. Brooks does most of the talking. He's the senior captain around here. He put up a little graphic about winning in December, what New England did, playing on the road in December, what we did in 2002, just a little something to get the point home because we were getting ready to face a three-game stretch. Not that we needed any extra motivation, but at least you know what you're winning with."

INJURY UPDATE: Coach Jon Gruden said kicker Matt Bryant (hamstring) is probable though he did not kick in Tuesday's practice. Linebacker Marquis Cooper is close to returning from his chest strain and is probable, as is cornerback Juran Bolden (leg strain).

[Last modified December 14, 2005, 00:15:15]