Bryant must make winning field goal only one time

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER and JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writers
Published October 15, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [James Borchuck | Times] Bucs kicker Matt Bryant is congratulated by punter Josh Bidwell after Bryant's 43-yard field goal gave the Bucs a 13-10 lead with 16 seconds left against the Titans. Photo gallery Audio: Gary Shelton's post-game analysis

TAMPA - Matt Bryant lined up for the potential winning field goal and never gave a thought to the possibility Titans coach Jeff Fisher might call a timeout.

He just kicked it.

"You can't think about anything other than the kick," Bryant said. "If you start thinking about other things, bad things happen. You just go through with the kick."

After his 43-yarder sailed through the uprights for a 13-10 lead with 11 seconds left, he saw penalty flags in the end zone and said he assumed the worst. A few times this season, an NFL kicker has made what he believed was a winning kick only to learn the opposing coach called timeout just before the snap.

This time, the Titans had 12 men on the field, a penalty the Bucs declined.

Bryant was one and done.

Fifty-one weeks ago, Bryant kicked the second-longest winning field goal in NFL history, a 62-yarder against Philadelphia. His winner Sunday was his longest of the season.

"Good snap, good hold, good protection by the line," Bryant said.

"Obviously, it took the offense to get us down in the position to make the kick. You're expected to make that. You just have to go out there and do it."

INJURY TOLL: Tight end Alex Smith injured an ankle and was taken off the field on a cart in the third quarter.

"It looks like it was just a sprain. The X-rays were negative," said Smith, adding he hopes not to miss any games.

Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah was injured in a collision and is concerned about his left shoulder. He said X-rays showed no bone damage, but doctors are concerned about ligaments in the joint and have scheduled an MRI exam for today.

THIRD DOWN NO CHARM: The Titans converted 9 of 16 third downs (7 of 12 in the second half). Despite allowing just 10 points, it has given the Bucs defense reason for concern.

"Some of these third downs weren't third and 1s," coach Jon Gruden said. "These were third and 7s, third and 9s. That doesn't happen in pro football."

CARTER ONE AWAY: Defensive end Kevin Carter got his first sack of the season, against Kerry Collins in the third quarter. His next takedown will be his 100th.

"One hundred is a milestone," Carter, 34, said. "Personally, it is one of those benchmarks. In the history of the game, how many great defensive linemen have come through the game? And how many of them have 100 sacks?"

Rookie end Gaines Adams recorded his first career sack

Don't remember it? That's because Adams got credit when Vince Young tripped over running back LenDale Whitewhile trying to scramble.

BIG-PLAY ASKEW: Fullback B.J. Askew took a more active role in the offense, catching three passes for 33 yards, including one he turned into a 17-yard pickup.

Askew said he figured he would see the ball at least a little given how the team's stable of running backs is depleted. Sunday, when quarterback Jeff Garcia got into trouble, he looked to Askew, his 27-year-old safety valve.

"The defense has to look at your offense and know everybody is a weapon," Askewsaid.

Four big kicks

Matt Bryant's last-minute winning field goals for the Bucs:

Date Opp.Yds. Time left Score

Sunday Titans 43 11 seconds 13-10

Oct. 22, 2006 Eagles 62 None 23-21

Dec. 24, 2005 Falcons 41 15 seconds 27-24*

Nov. 20, 2005 Falcons 45 42 seconds 30-27

*Overtime

[Last modified October 14, 2007, 22:01:58]