Jan. 12, 2002
Eagles fans are as tough as they come
TAMPA -- Perhaps only a handful of games are more important in Dave Moore's career than Saturday's Bucs-Eagles NFC wild-card game in Philadelphia, only about an hour or so from where he grew up in New Jersey. There certainly isn't a bigger one this season.
The no-holds-barred Eagles have a message for opposing offenses: Bring It On
The Eagles defense is going to get beat. And it's liable to happen more than once. Coach Andy Reid concedes that much.
 |
 |
10 and counting
Ronde Barber enjoyed a breakout season in 2001, tying for the NFL lead in interceptions. But the standout cornerback insists he will get even better.
Famous ahtletic twins
In addition to the Barber brothers, there have been many accomplished twins in the world of sports. Here are some notables with the help of Twinstuff.com. |
The No. 6 seed
Since the NFL adopted its current 12-team playoff system in 1990, road teams have a 12-32 record in the wild-card round, winning 27.3 percent of the time. Since 1995, their first-round survival rate drops to 20.8 percent, and in the NFC, it's 16.7 percent. The lone two NFC wins in the last 12 chances were hardly major upsets -- a 9-7 Arizona team beat a 10-6 Dallas squad on the road in 1998, and a 9-7 Minnesota team won at a 10-5-1 New York Giants team in 1997.
On the Net: Even online, you can hear Eagles fans boo
Few cities' sports fans have reputations to rival that of Philadelphia's, and if nothing else, Sunday night's regular-season finale between the Bucs and Eagles served to add another level to the proud Philly stereotype: even online, they'll boo their own when it's warranted.
Players can bundle up and stay nimble
Football players from the Big Ten are used to being cold and wet. But those who played in the SEC, well, sometimes they need a little help.
Offense still is hoping for the best
The Bucs brought in Brad Johnson to lift the offense. The results have been mixed, but the final verdict isn't in just yet.
The 'real' game should be hot
ESPN analyst Paul Maguire, who will call the Bucs-Eagles game for ABC alongside colleagues Mike Patrick and Joe Theismann, shared his thoughts about the game with the Times' Sharon Ginn.
Rookie just says no to Jerri Curls
Fullback Jameel Cook, a sixth-round pick out of Illinois by way of Miami Southridge, has had quite the first season in the NFL. Here he is on the Big Ten, pimping, South Beach, the Secret Service, flight attendants and Jerri Curls.
The Top Line
When they take the field around 4 p.m. today, the Bucs know they will be embarking on a journey never accomplished in the NFL: No team has won three road games en route to a Super Bowl appearance.
 |
Want today's Buccaneers news at your fingertips? Sign up for Bucs E-news |
