Bucs/NFL

Can't-miss Kasay's four field goals are key to Panthers' victory

By JOANNE KORTH
Published September 25, 2006

TAMPA - Kickers have been the culprits in plenty of heartbreaking losses in the NFL, but the Panthers had no trouble identifying their MVP after Sunday's victory.

"Thank God for John Kasay," Carolina coach John Fox said.

Kasay, the kicker since the franchise's inaugural season in 1995 and the team's only remaining original player, was the hero four times over in the Panthers' 26-24 victory. And none of his four field goals could be classified as a chip shot.

Kasay made kicks from 51, 50, 49 and 46 yards. His last was the shortest, but also the biggest. The winner came with two seconds left.

The Bucs could only watch.

"Field-goal kickers do make their money in games like this," Bucs defensive end Greg Spires said.

1-2 PUNCH: Carolina receiver Steve Smith, who led the league last season in receptions and yards, played after missing the first two games because of hamstring injuries. Smith was the game's leading receiver with seven catches for 117 yards.

Without Smith, the Panthers lost to the Falcons and Vikings. Though not 100 percent, Smith's ability to go deep opened up the offense for physical receiver Keyshawn Johnson and running backs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams.

Johnson caught seven passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.

"He makes us a better team," quarterback Jake Delhomme said of Smith. "Sometimes, when we had him and Keyshawn on the same side, it was kind of fun."

Smith flashed some speed. He got behind cornerback Ronde Barber and in front of safety Jermaine Phillips for his longest reception of the game, 41 yards.

SACK STATS: Simeon Rice recorded his 120th sack and 35th and 36th forced fumbles. It was his fifth career sack of Delhomme, tied with Daunte Culpepper for Rice's most-sacked quarterback.

A NEW ROLE: Barber returned his second career punt 8 yards on a pooch kick by Kasay. The Panthers had lined up for a 54-yard field goal, and Barber lined up deep.

SPREADING IT AROUND: Eight players caught passes for the Bucs, led by tight end Alex Smith's four receptions for 72 yards. Smith's 27-yard catch down the middle in the fourth quarter was the team's longest.

"We felt in other games those opportunities were there, but we just didn't quite capitalize on them," said Smith, who had two catches in the opener, none last week. "I know we're still not running the ball like we would like to, but at least we're putting points on the board."

STUMPED: Long after the game had ended and his teammates had left the locker room, defensive lineman Ellis Wyms was at a loss to explain what went wrong during the Bucs' 0-3 start.

"It doesn't add up," he said. "We know how hard we work. We know we have a lot of talent. Last year we found a way to win all these close, down-to-the-wire games. Now, it's just not falling in our favor."

BRIEF APPEARANCE: Rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was in for two plays, the final play of the third quarter and first of the fourth, while Chris Simms went to the locker room to receive intravenous fluids. Gradkowski completed a screen to Michael Pittman that picked up 16 yards on third and 18.

IN THE LINEUP: Shelton Quarles shifted to strongside linebacker and Barrett Ruud started in the middle, changes made necessary by the knee injury that sidelined strongside linebacker Ryan Nece. Also, Juran Bolden started at cornerback for Brian Kelly, who has missed consecutive games because of a lingering turf toe injury.

Kelly had doctors examine the toe last week to make sure there was no structural damage. He was told the injury needed time to heal and he expects to play in the Bucs' next game, Oct. 8 at New Orleans.

HELLO, GOODBYE: Typically, teams prefer that the bye week come later in the schedule than Week 4. But given the number of Bucs nursing injuries, having the weekend off will give several a chance to get healthy.

"With the guys we have out, I think it's good," Spires said. "We can get some of the starters back in the lineup. I think it's good."

[Last modified September 25, 2006, 05:42:37]