Quotebook

By DAVE SCHEIBER, Times Staff Writer
Published September 24, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [BRENDAN FITTERER | Times] St. Louis' Steven Jackson, the 6-foot-2, 231-pound wrecking ball who rushed 30 times for 115 yards, required gang tackles to be taken down, but the Bucs' defense was up for the challenge. Audio: Shelton: 'Garcia could run for mayor' Photo gallery

From Bucs coach Jon Gruden

On the way the Bucs finished the game: "I can't be more pleased. We were punishing at times offensively, just the way you want to close out a football game. For two weeks in a row, we weren't really creative with the play selection. ... We got some big plays that set up our second touchdown to make it a 17-3 game. After that there wasn't a lot of smoke and mirrors. It was pretty much (Jeff) Garcia handling the running game ... and we made some plays in the process."

On the defense playing well three straight weeks: "We don't want to tell them that because it's just not good enough. We have to do a better job getting off the field quicker. We gave up some six- or seven-minute drives, and we gave up some field position in the process. I want to hold them accountable for revving up the pass rush. It's just not there yet. We're pleased with the performance, and obviously giving up three points is a tremendous feat in pro football, but we're expecting a lot more from them. The effort's good, but it's not great yet, collectively."

On the running back situation: "Well, we feel good about our backs. Obviously Carnell (Williams) had the fumble, and I talked to (head athletic trainer) Todd Toriscelli. I felt to a degree that maybe he got nicked up a bit. We had the fumble, and I decided it was best to give Earnest Graham an opportunity. He's run the ball well when given the ball, and he took advantage. I also thought Michael Pittman was stellar today. He made some great plays, runs and catches."

From Rams coach Scott Linehan

On the interception thrown by Marc Bulger in the end zone: "I couldn't see from my vantage point. We have to keep working on that. Working on where we throw that ball. ... There are other plays in that game, other than that play, there were significant as far as the game goes."

On the struggles of the offense: "It's difficult. I know we have some guys that made the Pro Bowl last year and all that, but we have to play good football as a team. You can have the greatest football player in one position, but if we are not doing things, all 11, it doesn't work, not in football. We are certainly not getting it done."

On the frustration level: "Losing is frustrating. ... Part of winning is we have to score more points; there is no question we have to score a lot more points. We were in position to and we squandered some opportunities."

[Last modified September 23, 2007, 20:40:23]