Sports: Defensive backs know the Minnesota threat is deep

Defensive backs know the Minnesota threat is deep

The long pass is the top Vikings weapon, and the one the Bucs are geared up for.

By ROGER MILLS

The long pass is the top Vikings weapon, and the one the Bucs are geared up for.

TAMPA -- To a man, members of the Tampa Bay secondary know it's coming. They are not sure when, or how. But it's coming.

In losing the first two games this season, the Minnesota Vikings looked nothing like the offensive juggernaut that tormented defenses a year ago. More surprising, $78-million receiver Randy Moss, who had 15 touchdowns last season, has yet to catch a deep pass, much less smell end zone paint.

So as the Bucs prepare for another edition of a heated rivalry, the defensive backs are fairly confident of one thing: the Vikings will look to throw deep, and look to do it often.

"We anticipate (long passes) more because that's the strength of their team," Pro Bowl cornerback Donnie Abraham said. "That's their bread and butter. That's what they can do well and it's going to be on us whether we make plays or not, whether we're in the right positions to make plays."

Last season, the deep ball, usually to Moss, was the Vikings' most devastating weapon. With teams forced to pay close attention to other threats like running back Robert Smith, quarterback Daunte Culpeper and veteran receiver Cris Carter, Moss made a mockery of most secondaries.

In the preseason, Culpepper and Moss were at it again, connecting on long passes that either were touchdowns or led to touchdowns.

But in the regular season, something has changed. In their losses to Carolina and Chicago, the Vikings have not been able to connect on the deep ball. Their longest completion is 28 yards.

"They were 4-0 in the preseason with those bombs, 50- and 60-yard touchdowns," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said. "So far they haven't been allowed to do that. They feel like they can dominate everybody, and they have dominated us in the past. So you expect it. We're game planning like they are thriving on the big play."

Safety John Lynch said while the Vikings are not connecting on plays they commonly convert, the offense still is having some success.

"They're just struggling, not getting the big plays, which is something they have always done," Lynch said. "They are not hitting on that right now, but they are still moving the football. They really are. When you look at the yardage, they are up to 330 per game, and that's pretty good. They aren't converting when they get it (near the goal line). They are forcing a few things.

"So, we need to go up and play our game and if the opportunity arises where (the quarterback's) forcing the ball, we need to make him pay. That's what the first couple of teams, the Panthers and the Bears, did a good job of."

The Bucs, victimized by Moss' heartbreaking receptions in the past, have taken notice of how the Panthers and Bears handled the All-Pro receiver. Virtually ignoring a running game led by rookie back Michael Bennett, defenses have dropped safeties deep in the backfield to virtually lock down Moss and forced Culpepper to throw underneath to tight end Byron Chamberlain. Chamberlain leads the team with 12 receptions, twice as many as Moss.

"People are just figuring how to play them," Barber said. "You're not going to put a guy on Moss and bump-and-run cover him and expect to win. People are game planning right, sucking up their pride and playing the defenses that work. So far this year, that's what's happening."

The Bucs said they feel the combination of their experience at cornerback and their cover-two secondary scheme is enough to keep Moss in check for a third straight game.

"I guess the key to that is being in the right position," Abraham said. "When they throw the deep ball to Moss, you can't be even with him, you can't be behind him, you have to be on top of him. That's the only way you're going to defend the deep ball because of his height and his speed."

Bucs coach Tony Dungy said the key for his defensive backs is concentration.

"If you have a letdown, if you think the ball is not coming, you think you've got the guy covered, then that's when they are at their best," Dungy said. "And it can happen anywhere from play one to play 70. So, when you've got explosive guys like they have you have to play 70 plays. It takes a lot of mental toughness."

It also takes a talented free safety. In his first year as a starter, third in the league, Dexter Jackson has developed a reputation for being around the ball and coming up with plays. In the opener he had an interception, and would have had another wiped out by a penalty.

Dungy said Jackson's ability to cover ground and challenge receivers downfield in the cover-two zone will play an important role.

"He's an example of a guy that you pencil in and he's going to have to come through for you and he has," Dungy said. "There will be some opportunities. There will be some balls thrown in his area, I can promise you that."

Supremely confident, the man who took over from former starter Damien Robinson said he is eager to prove he can stay with the game's most dreaded scoring threat.

"If they throw the ball deep, I'm going to try to make a play on it," Jackson said. "I know that's Minnesota (style), I know I have to expect a lot more deep balls and hopefully I read my keys correctly and make a good break on the ball."

Teammates call Jackson a ball hog. Lynch said he has a natural instinct to get to the ball. Abraham said Jackson is trouble to receivers because he plays more like a cornerback (quicker to the ball and more athletic) than a safety. In fact, last season the Bucs worked Jackson out at cornerback.

"The athletic ability I have will help me adjust to overthrown or underthrown balls," Jackson said. "I've watched a lot of guys dealing with Moss in the past and the balls that he does catch, a lot of guys panic, fall down, jump with their arms down. The point about the deep ball is that you have to go up and get the ball. You have a right to the ball. You (have) got to get the ball first, not wait for him to get it."