5 plays worth another look

By JOE SMITH, Times Staff Writer
Published October 29, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Bucs coverage Audio: Instant analysis with Gary Shelton Tom Jones: BucShotz Romano: Gimme five Bucs defense fails in big situations Quotebook Stovall seizes opportunity Shelton: Bucs become what we feared Bucs can't shut down Jaguars' fierce blitz In-game blog: Stephen F. Holder's insights and analysis Kiss it goodbye Photo gallery [Brian Cassella | Times] Having beaten Daryl Smith down the left hash, the Bucs' Michael Bennett drops a third-down pass in the second quarter. Instead of a first down, the Bucs punted.

It was another Twilight Zone type of day for the Buccaneers. Jeff Garcia actually slid on a scramble. (Although, yes, he dived headfirst on another.) The longest kick of the day was a punt (76 yards). And the Bucs' ball-hawking defense came up with its second straight goose egg in terms of turnovers. But when the Bucs watch film on how, as Garcia said, they let another game "slip away," they likely won't be able to point to just one play. We offer five.

Short kick, short field

AfterMatt Bryant's 44-yard field goal to open the scoring in the first quarter, he booted his kickoff short 49 yards.George Wrighster returned it 29 yards to midfield. The Jaguars took advantage of the short field with a touchdown drive.

The Jaguars, whose quarterbackQuinn Gray made his first career start, started four possessions on or better than their 40. Three of them resulted in scores (one field goal and two touchdowns), including the winner.

"It's definitely harder (as a defense)," Bucs defensive end Kevin Carter said. "You put yourself behind the eight ball. We've got to do a better job managing the field position."

The Garcia sack

The Jaguars sacked Jeff Garcia only twice, but when they hit him, they made it count.

One momentum-swinging sack came late in the second quarter with the Bucs down 17-10 but starting with their best field position yet (the Jaguars 43). On the first play, Garcia, waiting for a deep route to develop, was sacked by linemen Marcus Stroud and Rob Meier for a 10-yard loss.

The Bucs went three-and-out.

"They did bring a lot of pressure," running back Michael Bennett said. "We've got to pick it up and protect Jeff enough to get the ball down the field."

Tanard Jackson's penalty

The Jaguars were given great field position to begin their winning drive due to a special-teams penalty by Tanard Jackson.

Late in the third quarter, Matt Bryant's 42-yard field goal gave the Bucs a 23-17 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, LaBrandon Toefield scampered out of bounds at the Jaguars 32, where Jackson was called for a late hit - a 15-yard penalty.

Of the Bucs' penalties (seven for 74 yards), three came on special teams. Jackson said part of it was new guys in different positions but mostly just "a lack of focus." That is, except for the late hit.

"I thought (Toefield) was still inbounds," Jackson said. "But it was a judgment call on their part."

Bennett's dropped pass

One of the bigger missed opportunities for the Bucs came on Michael Bennett's drive-ending drop in Jaguars territory early in the second quarter.

In what appeared to be a perfect play call - and near-perfect throw by Jeff Garcia - Bennett beat his defender down the left hash.

But the ball bounced in and out of his hands near the Jacksonville 40. The Bucs, down 7-3 and facing third and 4, were forced to punt. The Jaguars scored on the ensuing possession to make it 10-3.

"I saw the safety come over, and I tried to go between (the defenders) and catch the ball low," Bennett said. "I just should have put my arms up (high).

"But when I went to catch it, they hit me and the ball came out. It was a great throw by Jeff. But on my part, I need to put my hands up higher next time and catch the ball for a first down."

Adam Podlesh's 76-yard punt

The Bucs appeared to set themselves up for a winning drive. With the score 24-23 and 8:10 left in the game, Adam Podlesh stood in his end zone ready to punt.

Not so fast.

Podlesh's punt, a whopping 76-yarder, sailed over the head of Joey Galloway and bounced toward the Bucs end zone, stopping at the 17.

"Certain things just don't bounce your way," running back Earnest Graham said.

"They make a fantastic punt when we feel we're in position to win the game. He makes a great punt. Sometimes, it goes that way."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes com or at (813) 310-9024.

[Last modified October 29, 2007, 00:12:25]