Bucs can't shut down Jaguars' fierce blitz

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER and JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writers
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 5 plays worth another look In-game blog: Stephen F. Holder's insights and analysis Kiss it goodbye Photo gallery [Brian Cassella | Times] Jeff Garcia was constantly on the run from pressure that seemed to be coming from all corners.

TAMPA - The Bucs knew it was coming. It was right there on tape for all the world to see.

But stopping the relentless, rabid Jaguars blitz is easier said than done.

"They blitz a lot in clutch situations," guard Arron Sears said. "There were a couple of third downs tonight where we knew it was going to be coming. We saw it on film all week long. They just disguised it pretty good. They're one of the best disguise teams we've seen. They just did a better job than we did."

As a result, quarterback Jeff Garcia looked like a fugitive, constantly on the run from pressure that seemed to be coming from all corners. The Bucs seemed to struggle with the blitz pickups, which likely emboldened the Jaguars.

"At one time, I think they came about 10 plays straight," running back Earnest Graham said. "It was just ridiculous. They gave us so many different looks. They brought different guys. They showed one side and brought the other side. ... It's really shocking because usually teams don't do that because Jeff is so good on the move and they usually give up big plays. But they gambled."

One of the trickle-down effects of the blitz was the toll it took on Graham. After finishing with 99 receiving yards last week in Detroit, he was limited to one catch for 12 yards against the Jaguars.

"Most of the time, they would show blitz and back out to slow me down a little bit," he said. "I think that was their plan."

Coach Jon Gruden said that in situations where an offense is facing a barrage of blitzes, the onus is on receivers to win the resulting one-on-one matchups. Evidently, that didn't happen nearly enough.

"(The Jaguars) were trying to make a play," Gruden said. "That's what they do. You have to pick up the blitz, it's one-on-one coverage, and it's going to come down to either you make a play or you don't."

WHERE'S GAINES?: First-round draft pick Gaines Adams played sparingly Sunday and seemed annoyed with his lack of playing time.

The defensive end jumped off the bench and sprinted onto the field in relief of injured Greg Spires in the fourth quarter, only to be recalled by coaches, who inserted Greg White instead.

Adams went to the bench and tossed his helmet, apparently upset over the matter. He said later that he has no issues with his coaches, and he wanted to keep conversations with his coaches about his playing time private.

"I don't have any control over (playing time)," Adams said. "I can't really worry about that."

INJURY REPORT: Spires left the game after sustaining what he said was a strained Achilles' tendon. He did not return and said he will undergo a more extensive examination today, probably to determine whether he has a tear.

Defensive back Torrie Cox sustained a knee injury and did not return. That pressed cornerback Phillip Buchanon into the role as the lead kick returner in addition to splitting punt-return duties with Ike Hilliard.

Buchanon is fine with the added responsibility.

"I definitely like returning kicks," he said. "I was an offensive player all through high school."

MILESTONE CATCHES: Receiver Joey Galloway had his 75th career touchdown reception, a 58-yarder from Garcia in the second quarter. Galloway has 27 touchdowns with the Bucs (26 receiving, one punt return), tied with Mark Carrier for fifth on the team's all-time list.

Galloway had six catches for 115 yards, moving into 10th place in team history with 211 receptions. It marked his 28th career 100-yard receiving game.

MORE MILESTONES: Matt Bryant kicked his 48th, 49th and 50th field goals for the Bucs. ... Linebacker Derrick Brooks and defensive lineman Kevin Carter each played his 200th career game.

[Last modified October 28, 2007, 23:35:40]