Ending on a downer

Paris Warren's broken leg puts a damper on the victory.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
Published August 31, 2007

Paris Warren screams in pain from a gruesome injury after scoring the winning touchdown. The second-year player, who caught four touchdowns during the preseason, is out for the season with a broken left leg.
	[Times photo: Brendan Fitterer]

ADVERTISEMENT Photo gallery Bucs - Texans preseason (Aug. 30) [Times photo: Brian Cassella] Teammates mob Bucs rookie Sabby Piscitelli after his second-quarter interception. It was the second-rounder's first of the preseason.

TAMPA - Who says the final preseason game isn't important? Just ask Paris Warren.

The Bucs receiver caught two touchdowns, including the winner from Bruce Gradkowski with 3:00 left, in a 31-24 victory Thursday night over the Texans.

But Warren broke his left leg when he was tackled in the end zone and is out for the season.

The game was held up for several minutes while his leg was immobilized and he was loaded onto a golf cart, the entire team surrounding him.

The second-year pro from Utah caught seven passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns, giving him four for the preseason.

As Warren was driven out of the stadium, the roster spot he had secured went with him.

"That was the lowest point of my training camp and preseason," quarterback Luke McCown said. "He had a great preseason, a tremendous game. I think you saw the respect he has on this team by everybody going out there."

Warren was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital, according to the team, and expected to spend the night. While his season ended, several players made arguments for sticking around.

Start with McCown, a 6-foot-3, 212-pound fourth-year player out of Louisiana Tech who made his case for being the No. 2 quarterback by passing for 203 yards and three touchdowns - all in the first half.

"Like we've said all along, he's got a lot of talent," coach Jon Gruden said. "You see his mobility. He has a quick, accurate stroke. He's got good command. I really think he's got a great upside."

The downside was the Bucs spotted the Texans a 14-0 lead. Houston took the opening kickoff and drove 71 yards for atouchdown. Then with just more than 5:30 minutes gone, McCown was sacked by N.D. Kalu and fumbled. Jamar Fletcher scooped it up and raced 36 yards to the end zone.

Credit McCown, 15-for-20, for showing poise, albeit against second- and third-line players. Tampa Bay ripped off 24 unanswered points and could have had more until a fumbled snap on first and goal at the 1 lost 13 yards.

Despite the comeback, the shaky start didn't pacify Gruden.

"An awful way to start a football game," he said. "I thought we really did some good things. You can't fumble the ball at the 1-yard line, turn the football over and expect to dominate."

With the Bucs having to release 22 players to reach the 53-man roster limit by 4 p.m. Saturday, the game was the final appearance for many in a Tampa Bay uniform.

Quarterback Chris Simms might be among them.

He was scheduled to play but said he strained his hip while rehabbing Tuesday. The injury is not serious enough for him to be put on injured reserve.

"I guess you could say my luck hasn't been real high lately," he said.

It's possible the Bucs could keep four quarterbacks.

"You're asking me if I think it's my last time in Tampa Bay or not? I sure hope not," Simms said.

Tight end Jerramy Stevens made an argument for more playing time, catching seven passes for 100 yards. And rookie Sabby Piscitelli, who had an interception, staked his claim to safety of the near future.

Fullback B.J. Askew did his best Mike Alstott impression, catching a short pass from McCown, spinning out of a tackle by linebacker Danny Clark and diving into the end zone.

McCown, 26, did have some hiccups. In addition to losing a fumble, he lost his grip on a pass that was intercepted late in the first half. But after the game, everybody's thoughts were on Warren.

"It's real tough, especially coming down to crunch time," receiver Michael Clayton said. "The guy had a hell of a camp, a hell of a preseason. Everybody saw him have a hell of a game. It's bad times right now."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 01:33:39]