Sports: Christy closer to return

Christy closer to return

By ROGER MILLS and DARRELL FRY

TAMPA -- The Bucs returned to practice Wednesday with almost a full contingent of players, including veteran center Jeff Christy, who has been out since Aug. 18 with a left knee sprain.

"I did nine-on-seven (drills) and all the individual stuff and I feel pretty good," Christy said. "Yeah, there was definitely (a sense of relief). For me, there are just a couple more things I have to do before I can play on Sunday that I haven't done yet. Making certain cuts, running a certain way. But I'm sure I'll get that (today)."

Coach Tony Dungy said Christy did well and that the three-time Pro Bowler was "on course" to play Sunday against the Eagles.

"He feels good," Dungy said. "If he comes in tomorrow and doesn't have any ill effects, any swelling and can get three-quarters of the practice in, I'd say you can almost be sure that he would."

However, Christy said he will wait for final clearance from team doctors.

"Right now, I'm approaching it like I'm playing, like I did last week," he said. "They'll let me know. I have no control over that. All I can do is show them I can play in practice and help them make the decision. It'll be a safe bet (that I'll play).

OTHER INJURIES: Receiver Keyshawn Johnson (right thigh contusion) appears to be recovering rapidly and took part in light drills.

"Hopefully, he can do a little bit more tomorrow and be full go by Friday," Dungy said.

Cornerback Dwight Smith also returned to light workouts but remains questionable for Sunday. Defensive end James Cannida (left knee sprain) and guard Russ Hochstein (left foot fracture) are out.

SOLID DEBUT: While Christy has been rehabbing, backup Todd Washington made his first regular-season start and, according to him, held his own.

"For a first game for me I think I did well," Washington said. "Coaches said I played okay and graded out high. But, of course, there are always things to work on. I am happy to get that first game under my belt and now I have something to build on."

Washington said he was unsure whether Christy's apparent return would signal his return to the bench. "I have to prepare like I'm going to start," Washington said. "My mind-set has to be that I'm going to start the game off. My mental preparation, my physical preparation will stay the same."

A STRANGE FEELING: Backup fullback Rabih Abdullah is the only Muslim on the roster and, like his teammates, was taken aback by Tuesday's tragedies.

"I felt a little weird," he said. "But I feel the same as I always felt about my faith. I still have my conviction."

Abdullah said he can't afford to worry about people who automatically associate terrorist actions with people of Islamic faith.

"Most people I think in the nation are not that ignorant and short-minded," Abdullah said. "I just know that whatever the acts were, they were acts of madmen. They were mindless. I don't care what faith they were. It's not me, nor all the Muslims around the world. They were the actions of a few madmen."

SHORT MEMORIES: A lot is being made of the Bucs looking to avenge last season's 21-3 playoff loss at Philadelphia. The Bucs might use that as motivation, but for the Eagles, the game is practically ancient history.

"I think that was a heck of a game, but this is a different game, so we're going to approach it the best way we can," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I don't think on either side we're too concerned about the last time we played. I think we're both moving on."

Quarterback Donovan McNabb said the Eagles are confident they'll win, but it has nothing to do with last season's victory. "We don't look back to see what we did last year because this is a new year," he said. "They're a different team. There are different guys who are playing different positions through the draft and also through free agency.

SETTING A TONE: The Eagles know about stopping Warrick Dunn, shutting down Johnson and exploiting the Bucs defense. But McNabb said the real key for the Eagles is getting off to a good start.

"We have to come out and set the tempo early," he said. "We have to control the ball, control the chains, control the clock and then we can control the game."