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Bucs to urge on MacDill troops

By ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 25, 2001

TAMPA -- A contingent of Bucs players and coaches are scheduled to visit MacDill Air Force Base in south Tampa today to wish the area's military personnel well as they prepare for duty overseas.

Receiver Keyshawn Johnson, defensive end Simeon Rice, safety John Lynch, linebacker Shelton Quarles, running back Rabih Abdullah, tight end Dave Moore and punter Mark Royals are among the players expected to join coach Tony Dungy at the base from 1-3 p.m.

Other players and coaches may attend.

"I think we're like everybody else in the country in that we're trying to do whatever we can to help in any way," Royals said. "I don't know that this is going to make a big difference to anybody, but it might to some, and that's the important thing.

"The message is very clear. We're behind them and what they are doing is reality. We play a game. Their stuff, getting ready for war, is the real thing."

Quarles said he is thrilled to offer his support to members of the military who may become active players in the nation's response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

"I wish we would have had something organized so we could have done it more closely to when it actually happened," Quarles said. "But I'm looking forward to going out there and urging the troops on. I know they might have to go into duty. So we want to let them know that we're all back in Tampa Bay thinking about them."

Because of security concerns, the visit will be closed to the media.

GREEN MEANS GO: The Bucs turn their attention to traveling to Minnesota for Sunday's game against the Vikings. At least one Buccaneer will be thrilled to see the confines of the Metrodome: receiver Jacquez Green, who enjoyed his best day as a professional in Minneapolis in October in a 30-23 Monday night loss.

Green had a career-high 11 catches for 131 yards as he routinely found spots inside the Vikings zone and benefited from the constant double-teaming of Johnson.

"It was a good day," said Green, who started the season with a bang, catching eight balls for 75 yards in Dallas. "I was really in a rhythm and the quarterback (Shaun King) was looking for me that game. As opposed to other games. We were running a lot of combination routes, Keyshawn and I, and if (the Vikings) played him a certain way then it came to me, in my route."

Green said he couldn't really enjoy the effort because the Bucs lost.

"You always enjoy more if you play well and the team wins," Green said. "You certainly don't appreciate as much when you lose."

NUMERICALLY SPEAKING: It was not as bold a statement as some might think, but anytime Dungy puts a figure on how many wins the team realistically could have at the end of the season, it's worth noting.

On a Buccaneers.com online chat Saturday, Dungy responded to that question with: "We would like to win 12-13 games."

NAME GAME: Speaking of Johnson, some might have noticed him driving around town in a rather snazzy silver Ferrari. The car, which has border plates signifying Johnson's college affiliation (USC Alumni), also has a fairly unique license plate. It reads "7 Eleven."

Why? "Always open, 24 hours," Johnson explained.

INJURY REPORT: The time off over the past few weeks gave a number of players a chance to reflect on their good fortune, and it gave others a chance to heal, including center Jeff Christy (left knee), safety Dexter Jackson (hip pointer) and cornerback Dwight Smith (left foot sprain).

While Christy appeared ready to play last week had the game against Philadelphia not have been postponed, the same did not appear true of Jackson and Smith.

Jackson, in his first season as a starter, hurt his hip in the week after the Dallas game. Jackson said the injury limited his mobility and ability to turn.

"Unfortunately, the incident happened and it benefited me, I guess," Jackson said. "I'm ready this week to play."

Smith, a rookie from Akron, had an outstanding training camp and seemed set to have a notable season. But the sprain, sustained in the final preseason game in Atlanta, kept Smith out of the opener.

"I'm ready to go now," said Smith, who took part in the full practice Monday. "I'm still trying to favor it a little bit, one way or the other, because I know it's there, but I felt good to get back out here."

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