The red zone

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published January 7, 2006

	[Times photo: Brendan Fitterer]
	Quarterback Chris Simms is part of the Bucs' youth movement on offense. The average age of this season's starters in 26 compared with 31.7 during the Super Bowl season.
	[Getty Images] Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the New York Giants during their game on December 24, 2005 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

INSIDE THE BUCS' MEETING ROOM

DEFEND THE RUN: If the Bucs find a way to stop Clinton Portis, it will be a first. Portis is hot, having surpassed 100 yards five straight weeks. The Bucs' defensive line will be undersized in its matchup with the behemoths on the Washington offensive line, and the ability of ends Simeon Rice and Greg Spires to be factors against the run will be crucial. The Bucs also need to lean on their depth so linemen don't wear down against Portis.

CHANGE OF PACE: Here's a thought: How about a pass on first down? The Bucs are prone to settle for a 1- or 2-yard gain by running consistently on first down, but there have been situations where they have made sizable gains by throwing. The decision to run on first down results in a third-and-long situation if second down proves unproductive. The Redskins have been stout against the run, so the last thing the Bucs want to be is predictable.

THE MORE THE BETTER: It's not sexy, but it's effective. The Bucs are going to have to stick to their two tight end set while facing a team that has been miserly against the run. During the five-game win streak to close the regular season, Washington has yielded 83 yards per game and not allowed a 100-yard rusher. Cadillac Williams managed only 20 yards in the first meeting with Washington but is healthy this time.

SECONDARY SMARTS: The defensive backs will have to offer run support if Portis gets past the first wave of tacklers, as he often did last time. That means cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly have to react quickly with sharp recognition. The safeties likely must play a role, too, after Washington averaged 5.6 yards a carry in the regular-season game.

SIMMS SEQUEL?: Chris Simms, making his eighth start in the first meeting, looked like a savvy veteran as Washington let him bounce around the pocket without getting a fingernail on him. Simms wasn't sacked or intercepted, so and the Redskins need to find creative ways to apply pressure. Simms still needs some fine-tuning, but he is good enough to make you pay given the time. The 15 passing touchdowns for Washington's opponents was second fewest in the NFL, and three came from Simms.

SNEAK ATTACK: The Redskins are going to grind the ball on the ground - no secret there. But they would be wise to mix in an occasional deep ball to Santana Moss and company to keep the defense honest. If Portis gets on a roll, the Tampa Bay secondary will become more involved in stopping the run, meaning safeties Jermaine Phillips and Dexter Jackson might ease closer to the line of scrimmage. That leaves the cornerbacks isolated down the field, where anything can happen.

SAVE SAMUELS: To say left tackle Chris Samuels will have his hands full with Rice is almost laughable. Consider: When the teams met in November, Rice had four tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, a pass deflection and an interception. The Redskins have to find a way to dedicate another blocker to the left side of the line with a back or a tight end.

RECEIVERS GALORE: Quarterback Mark Brunell threw to nine receivers in the first meeting, and the Redskins' ability to use multiple options could give the Bucs a lot to think about. The Bucs' linebackers will have a great deal of responsibility with the potent run game of the Redskins and the many pass options Brunell tends to use.

[Last modified January 6, 2006, 17:57:02]