Defense stifles Redskins to provide bright spot

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published January 8, 2006

TAMPA - The most Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber could muster was a weak smile of recognition. Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland just shook his head.

But it was linebacker Derrick Brooks who best summed up his teammates' feelings after Tampa Bay held the Redskins to just 120 total yards, a record low for a playoff-winning team.

"I'd give up a thousand yards," Brooks said, "to get a win."

The Bucs put together a performance worthy of the league's No.1 defense.

They held Mark Brunell to 41 yards passing (25 after subtracting 16 sack yards) and allowed 95 yards on the ground. Running back Clinton Portis, fourth in the league with 1,516 yards, was held to 53.

Cornerback Brian Kelly's interception gave the Bucs the ball at the Washington 35 with 3:43 left. End Simeon Rice and tackle Ellis Wyms had huge sacks. Linebacker Shelton Quarles had a team-high 11 tackles, and the Redskins were just 4-for-13 on third down.

"Boy," Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said, "they were ready."

It started, in part, with the inspiration of a sign the Bucs hung at the team hotel that read, "Anything is possible."

He said it continued with a reliance on Barber and Kelly to play Washington's receivers tight enough to enable the line to harass Brunell.

"When we threw the ball, I was not singled up. I was doubled, tripled," Redskins receiver Santana Moss said. "I saw one dude had his cousin on the field, his auntie sitting in the end zone. They were hunting."

And, Bucs nose tackle Chris Hovan said, executing the basics.

"Tackling," he said. "We had to tackle."

That is particularly important with Portis, who ran just 16 times because of sore shoulders but in November scorched the Bucs for 144 yards.

"We were just really up on our run fronts," Barber said. "We knew he was the key, and if we could stop him, we had a chance to win."

In the end, though, Barber said, "We just didn't do enough."

McFarland agreed.

"That stat," he said of Washington's record-low yards, "that stat don't mean nothing."

BROOKS' FUTURE: There is speculation Brooks might have to restructure his contract to stay with Tampa Bay. The linebacker will make $7.75-million next season with a cap number, including a pro-rated share of his signing bonus, of about $10-million.

"I plan to be here until they bury me under Raymond James Stadium," he said.

WALKER'S FUTURE: Offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker will be an unrestricted free agent and also wants to stay.

"But," he said, "a lot of things have to happen.

"I fell like I got myself out of a hole. They should come to me correct and respectfully."

T.O. TO TAMPA?: ESPN.com reported the Bucs might pursue receiver Terrell Owens, who likely won't return to the Eagles after being suspended. At least one player said he would be welcome.

"Sure," quarterback Chris Simms said. "I got no problem with that soap opera because those 80-yard touchdown receptions are a soap opera you'd like to bring to any team. He's a great player. I think we'd mesh real well together as far as our team. You can bring anybody in here and feel like we can be successful."

CADILLAC STALLS: Cadillac Williams hung his head when talking about his fumble that led to Washington's second touchdown.

"It's going to stick with me till the first game (of 2006)," he said. "Now I have something to look forward to. My plan is to work and get my body in shape and continue to learn this offense."

As for his 49 yards, he said, "They just did a good job coming off the ball up front. They took it to us."

ODDS AND ENDS: Barber and Brooks were named Pro Bowl starters. ... The Redskins have allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards in five of their past six games. ... Tampa Bay is 4-2 in home playoff games, 2-1 at Raymond James Stadium.

[Last modified January 8, 2006, 00:45:14]