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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 4, 2001
TAMPA -- With Warrick Dunn sidelined for three to four weeks, the Bucs enter Sunday's game missing one of their most consistent offensive players as they prepare to face the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense.
No problem, the Bucs said Wednesday. With or without Dunn, it's business as usual.
"We're not going to vary from our plan in terms of what we would have done if Warrick had been in there," coach Tony Dungy said.
Players said fullback Mike Alstott and second-year pro Aaron Stecker are capable of being as productive as Dunn has been since late last season.
"I think (Dunn's absence) hurts us a little bit," receiver Keyshawn Johnson said. "But I think we're going to design some things to get some guys the football; like a Mike Alstott, who has been a leader in this offense for so long."
Alstott and Stecker are different runners, which the Bucs acknowledge. But quarterback Brad Johnson said the game plan will not change much. "Warrick's a tremendous player, and any time you lose one of your top-notch players, you find out how (much) depth you have," he said. "Fortunately for us, we have some backs with some different strengths that can make a lot of plays for us.
"So we won't change our scheme. There will be different personnel. There will be a few phases in the game that will change. But the overall picture won't change that much at all."
INTRODUCING MR. G: Bucs rookie left tackle Kenyatta Walker had not heard about the guy -- might not even be able to say his name -- but after watching film, Walker said he has taken notice of Packers right defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who leads the NFL with six sacks.
"He's a fresh guy, a nickel guy who only has one thing to do. That is get around the corner on third down," Walker said.
"He does a good job. At his position, it doesn't surprise me. He's going to be fast, about 260 pounds coming around the corner, and doesn't get tired."
Gbaja-Biamila, 6 feet 4, 253 pounds, has piled up sacks strictly coming off the bench in passing situations.
John Thiery, an eight-year veteran out of Alcorn State, starts. "They rotate them in and out and keep them fresh," Walker said.
"That might wear down hard on a lineman. But all I have to do is stick to it and go out there and play ball."
Asked if he could pronounce Gbaja-Biamila's name, Walker responded: "No. 94."
For the record, it's kah-BEER BAH-jah BEE-ah-MIL-lah.
ROSTER MOVE: The Bucs signed former Georgia running back Robert Arnaud to the practice squad and released center/guard Eric Thomas.
"I'm ready to get out there and give the defense a real good look," Arnaud said. "I'm going to be basically a practice squad guy who will spell the guys a little bit because Warrick is down.
"And I have to do a good job of doing that."
Arnaud played with the Redskins during this preseason, coming over in a trade from the Saints.
He was an undrafted free agent with the Ravens in 2000 and spent that year on the practice squad.
At Georgia, Arnaud had 90 carries for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns in 25 games.
"For me, I'm in a different boat because I have no certainty," Arnaud said. "So every time I go out there, it seems like a game. I approach it as such, and hopefully, they'll get a good look at me."
PATRIOTIC SPIRIT: Wednesday morning, Keyshawn Johnson distributed white T-shirts. On the front, they had a red, white and blue logo, resembling an American flag and bore the inscription, "Not in Our House," referring to acts of terrorism on U.S. soil.
The shirts were sent to Johnson by his financial management team. They also had the words "God Bless America" on the back of the neck and "09/11/01" on the sleeve.
OTHER INJURIES: Defensive end James Cannida (left knee sprain) was walking smoothly and expects to begin light running next week. He said his knee feels better but is at least two weeks away from being 100 percent.