Rookieto receive awaited chance

Defensive end Gaines Adams, frustrated at a lack of playing time, will get more Sunday.

By RICK STROUD
Published October 30, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Audio report Bucs squander an opportunity [James Borchuck | Times] Defensive end Gaines Adams, right, teams with Greg White to sack the Jaguars' Quinn Gray during the fourth quarter Sunday.

TAMPA - Frustrated Bucs rookie defensive end Gaines Adams will get more playing time the second half of the season, coach Jon Gruden said.

The fourth overall draft pick tossed his helmet in disgust on his way to the bench Sunday after being pulled in the fourth quarter for free agent Greg White, an Arena Football League refugee.

Adams, who played sparingly in the 24-23 loss to Jacksonville, had just run onto the field to replace injured starter Greg Spires when he was told to return to the sideline. A few plays later, he teamed with White to sack Jaguars quarterback Quinn Gray.

Spires suffered a calf injury and had further tests Monday, but he could be forced to miss Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He could be replaced by Adams, who has 16 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks this season.

"I think the way he played Sunday, I think he has the right to be frustrated a little bit," Gruden said. "But if you watch Greg Spires play, Spires will be frustrated because he didn't play, too. He played very well. Sometimes there is going to be some frustration when you're not playing, but Gaines Adams did a good job when he played in the game (Sunday). I expect him to be a real big part of the second part of the season. We're anxious to see what he can do."

The first defensive player taken in this year's draft, Adams signed a 6-year, $46-million deal thatincluded $18.56-million in guarantees.

But Adams has been reduced to a third-down pass rusher, falling behind Spires and White on the depth chart at right defensive end. Because Gray attempted just 16 passes Sunday, Adams spent most of the game on the bench.

Gruden said Adams will eventually become an every-down player but stopped short of saying he will start Sunday.

"We are going to do what we feel is right with the entire group, that goes from Greg White to Kevin Carter, all the guys," Gruden said. "It's not all about Gaines Adams here today. It's about our defensive line, and we do expect Gaines to be an every-down player and an impact player for our franchise for years to come. Whether or not that's this week or next week, we'll have to see."

Spires joins the growing list of Bucs casualties that include cornerback Torrie Cox, who left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and had tests Monday. The Bucs hope to get several players back as soon as this week, including cornerback Brian Kelly (groin) and tight end Alex Smith (ankle).

Running back Michael Pittman and receiver Michael Clayton, who are nursing ankle injuries, likely won't return until after the bye week, which comes after the Arizona game.

"Hopefully we will get some of our players back, so I'm eager to see the trainer because he's responsible for the mess we have on our hands at this time," Gruden said. "Some of the young players are getting better, and we feel like if we can get some guys back for the second half of the season that we can hang around and make this thing interesting."

One of those players who have shown improvement is Adams.

Defensive line coach Larry Coyer said last week that Adams has improved his technique as a pass rusher but still struggles against the run. That was why he didn't see the field more Sunday because the Jaguars ran on 15 of their first 16 plays, including a 50-yard drive for a touchdown in the first quarter.

"I was surprised by that, but I thought we did a better job in the second half, getting it squared away and playing better," Gruden said.

Tampa Bay is minus-five in turnover margin during their two-game losing streak.

"We knew they were going to come in and give us a heavy dose of run," linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "To be honest with you, for a team that ran the ball over 40 times, for us to hold them to 3 yards a carry, from our standpoint, it's a pretty good day. The frustrating thing about it was it limited our turnover opportunities. We were raking at the ball. A couple times it popped loose, but their guy falls back on it at the bottom of the pile."

The Bucs have struggled putting pressure on the quarterback and have just 16 sacks at the halfway point this season, on pace to improve on the league-low 25 sacks last season. Gruden thinks Adams should begin making a bigger impact.

"I think Gaines Adams had now a half of a season to get a feel for this league, who's in it, how the game is played, and I believe he's ready to take off," Gruden said. "I believe Gaines Adams has an opportunity now to sit back and look back at the first half of the season and understand that he belongs in the league, he knows how to play, he understands our defense now, and we expect big things from him."

[Last modified October 30, 2007, 00:22:48]