Rookies look to vets for playoff prep

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published January 2, 2006

TAMPA - Alex Smith 's last playoff experience was the 2001 Seattle Bowl pitting his Stanford team and Georgia Tech.

The rookie tight end knows what he and his young teammates will see Saturday in their pro playoff debut will be something very different.

"I'm expecting it to be a lot like what I've seen these last few weeks," Smith said. "Everybody's been fighting for a spot and for position. There's definitely been some hard-fought games lately. We have to step up."

The Bucs will have several rookies playing important roles. Even for some of the young players who have been in Tampa Bay a couple of years, this will be their first flirtation with the NFL postseason.

But that's where the veterans come in.

"It's everybody else's job on this team to make sure they're ready for that," said cornerback Ronde Barber , who is entering the playoffs for the sixth time. "They'll get the feel for it. Playoff football has a different air to it. But in the long run, it's just another football game, and they have to prepare as such."

Leaders such as linebacker Derrick Brooks will stress that way of thinking as the Bucs enter an intense week of preparation. But Brooks said he preferred his understudies not change anything from the regular season. Apparently, ignorance really is bliss.

"Sometimes that can be your strength: that you don't know," Brooks said. "You go out there and you prepare. But I just think we (need to) stay the course. Guys are going to spend a little extra time, but we've been doing that. Just a little more attention to detail."

WHY ME? That was Smith who sheepishly helped douse Jon Gruden with the contents of a Gatorade bucket at the game's conclusion. Smith begrudgingly helped fellow tight end Anthony Becht soak the coach at the behest of quarterback Chris Simms and receiver Joey Galloway .

Smith tried to talk his way out of it.

"I wasn't trying to be the one to do it," he said. "But they didn't want to do it, so they got the rookie."

Smith wondered what reaction the move would elicit, but Gruden responded with a hug and a few heartfelt words.

"It was cool," Smith said. "(Gruden) just said, "I love you man. Let's get it done.' I'm happy he wasn't too mad."

STILL HURTING: Second-year receiver Michael Clayton , sidelined Sunday with a turf toe injury, said he expects to have his foot immobilized in a walking boot for another week. After that, it's still unclear when he might be able to return, putting his postseason in jeopardy.

"We'll see this week," Clayton said of a timeline for his return.

Safety Jermaine Phillips (knee) was inactive but said he expected to return for the playoffs.

HASLETT DONE?: Saints coach Jim Haslett said he was unsure where he will go from here.

If he isn't fired after a 3-13 season, he faces a decision on whether he wants to return to a franchise in disarray because of Hurricane Katrina.

"I really don't know," Haslett said. "I think one thing you learn, especially after this year, (is) the only thing for certain in life is that you are going to die and you are going to go to hell or heaven."

There is some doubt about whether Haslett will be fired because of concerns in the front office about the prospects of finding a quality replacement. But he has expressed reservations about returning to New Orleans, where he has been under intense criticism for years.

"I am ready for whatever happens," he said. "I'll be fine."

BIDWELL BOOMING: Punter Josh Bidwell posted the highest gross average in team history for a season at 45.6 yards. Bidwell's longest punt Sunday was a 53-yarder in the fourth quarter. He recently was voted to his first Pro Bowl.

[Last modified January 2, 2006, 02:30:25]