D starts fast, then ...

After scoring a TD, the defense struggles to leave the field.

By RICK STROUD
Published August 26, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Brendan Fitterer] Linebacker Cato June celebrates his 2-yard interception return for a touchdown that gave the Bucs a 7-0 lead early during the first quarter.

MIAMI - It was a robbery, pure and simple. Bucs linebacker Cato June sneaked up behind Ronnie Brown and picked his pocket, ripping a screen pass from Trent Green out of the hands of the Dolphins running back and returning the interception 2 yards for a touchdown.

This is what the Bucs have wanted from their defense. They wanted to get more turnovers, more pressure on the quarterback and more touchdowns.

Now if only the defense could get off the field.

June's pick was followed by the Bucs defense yielding another nine-minute scoring drive - its second of the preseason - in Tampa Bay's 31-28 win over the Dolphins.

Green, the Dolphins' 37-year-old quarterback, finished an 18-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Martin.

After a turnover, the defense fell victim to a Boise State-like Statue of Liberty play, with Dolphins running back Jesse Chatman scoring on an 11-yard run.

"It's going to be tough to do much on offense if you don't ever get on the field," coach Jon Gruden said while recalling how New England held the ball for a nine-minute drive in the preseason opener. "That was not good. Fourth-down conversions, third-down conversions. I'm disappointed in that, but give Miami credit, they've got a lot of skilled players also."

The Dolphins held a huge advantage in time of possession in the first quarter, keeping the ball 11 minutes to the Bucs' four.

But when the Bucs' starting offense did have the ball, it did some good things with it.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia, 6-of-6 with a touchdown last week against Jacksonville, wasn't nearly as sharp Saturday. He finished 4-of-10 for 54 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

But Garcia did throw a beautiful 26-yard touchdown to receiver Joey Galloway, who tightroped the back of the end zone.

"We did some good things, going against another good defense this week," Garcia said. "We were just off a little bit at times, but making a play at the end to get the ball in the end zone, I think those are things we have to value and build upon."

The offense showed other promising signs of life. Cadillac Williams, who entered with more rushing attempts (4) than yards (3), had his best preseason game ever, rushing four times for 25 yards.

The game featured the preseason debut of quarterback Chris Simms, who entered in the third quarter but played one series.

Although Simms probably hasn't done enough to secure a roster spot, Bruce Gradkowski might be moving up the depth chart. He went 10-of-16 for 104 yards and two touchdowns. His 6-yard scoring strike to Earnest Graham and 1-yard toss to Paris Warren in the back of the end zone twice enabled the Bucs to recapture the lead.

"Bruce is playing great. That's two weeks he's played great," Gruden said. "I was proud of him. He made some great plays and some great decisions, and he's moving our team."

Although the starting defense has done some good things this preseason, the backups have been pounded into oblivion. After the starters went to the bench at Jacksonville, the Bucs surrendered 24 unanswered points in the second quarter.

At least Saturday against Miami, the first unit was able to create turnovers. In addition to June's interception, defensive end Julian Jenkins forced a fumble recovered by cornerback Sammy Davis.

After Garcia's interception, the defense fell prey to the same play Boise State used to upset Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

It was embarrassing, yes. But give the Bucs defense some kudos, too. It is a proud unit that is starting to play well - even if it needs to play less.

"We want to get some momentum, especially in the turnover game, just setting the tempo," linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "We've got to learn how to handle success. If we make a big play, we've got to show poise and go back out and do it again. It was a growing experience. I'm glad we went through it so when we have some early success like that as a defense, we know how to handle it."

[Last modified August 26, 2007, 01:12:25]