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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 2001
TAMPA -- The feeling is unanimous.
The Bucs aren't buying into the hype that the Vikings are falling apart. They aren't ready to believe that footage of receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss visibly upset during Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Bears was a sign things are breaking down in the Twin Cities.
This, they said, is nothing new.
"It doesn't surprise me," safety John Lynch said Wednesday. "I was at the Pro Bowl with Cris and he was yelling at the offensive coordinator to give him the ball, and he didn't even know the man. That's really nothing new.
"I think it was probably hyped a little and they were probably a bit more frustrated, but that's something that goes on there all the time. That's a recipe for disaster for most teams, just not acceptable. But up there, that's kind of how the way things are run."
The Vikings (0-2), known for their big-play capability, have 23 points through two games.
"Where have you all been for the last three years? They have been bickering the whole time," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "But they were just winning games. It's a lot easier when you're 15-1 to bicker about not throwing me the ball. (But) they are still an excellent ballclub."
Coach Tony Dungy said the Bucs would be writing their demise by assuming the Vikings are primed for another loss:
"Regardless of what it looks like, it's some competitive guys out there trying to get the job done. I've seen it before. They're going to come out and be ready to go and if we're not we'll be in big trouble."
HE'S NO ROBERT SMITH, BUT: It seems a little unfair to rookie running back Michael Bennett to ask him to fill the void left by Robert Smith, who retired after last season. The offensive woes certainly go beyond his 93 yards on 27 carries (over two games), but the team does seem to miss Smith's tenacious running style.
"The tendency with rookie running backs is that they have a knack for being impatient with their runs, rather than let (runs) develop," middle linebacker Jamie Duncan said. "Now, Robert Smith, he was a very patient back. He would get 2 yards here, 3 yards there and then all of a sudden, he'll get you for 40 or 50."
But the Bucs know the more familiar Bennett gets with the system, the more likely he is to be productive. So stopping the run still is top priority.
"It doesn't change our assignments and what we have to do," Duncan said.
DEALING WITH THE NOISE: Rookie left tackle Kenyatta Walker said he is eager to get to the Metrodome and play in a stadium known for its noise. The Metrodome has a national reputation for being one of the loudest indoor facilities and stadium officials have made it worse by piping music through the PA system.
Walker said he has been warned and knows how to deal with the racket.
"I've played in some loud games before and this is just one of them where you have to quiet them down," Walker said. "Get up on them early, shut them down."
ROSTER MOVE: The Bucs signed guard Shane Grice to a two-year contract. To make room former Florida center Leon Hires was cut.
Grice signed with the Bucs as a free agent in April before being released at the end of training camp. He was picked up by the Bears and placed on their practice squad. By NFL rules, a player taken off another team's practice squad must be placed on the active roster.
After being released at the end of training camp, Hires was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 3 and promoted to the active squad on Sept. 8 to give the Bucs insurance while Pro Bowl center Jeff Christy recovered from his left knee sprain.
EASY AS 1-2-3?: It might not be on the Vikings bulletin board yet, but the intro to the Web site Buccaneers.com might be a source of inspiration. Web surfers clicking on the Bucs site will first hear the Jackson 5's ABC, followed by the inscription that beating the Vikings is "as easy as 1-2-3."