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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 7, 2001
Something to prove
The Bucs defense surrendered 402 yards Sunday against the Vikings, and players were disappointed at a 96-yard drive given up in the fourth quarter.
Facing one of the more productive offenses this week, the Bucs believe the time has come to play up to their potential.
"Now is the time," defensive end Simeon Rice said. "We licked our wounds and were humbled by the situation last week. "I think you have an awareness of what went on, but you have to move on. I think a lot of guys want to have blockbuster games this week to kind of give an indication of what we are."
On their way to a 3-0 record, the Packers have allowed an average of 54.3 yards rushing. But that's not the scariest fact. Granted, they have led in most of their games, forcing opponents to pass, but in the second half the Packers have allowed 16.3 yards rushing. ... Bucs rookie left tackle Kenyatta Walker recently appeared in a pictorial in Gentleman's Quarterly magazine, but insists modeling is not in his immediate future. "It was fun," said the 6-5, 302-pound first-round pick. "A lot of people don't get a chance to be in GQ, so I took advantage of it."
Defensive tackle Warren Sapp has 62.5 career sacks (including playoff games) and they have come at the expense of a number of quarterbacks. The leading victims: Green Bay's Brett Favre (eight) and Detroit's Charlie Batch (six).
With an 11-yard completion to Antonio Freeman in the first half against the Panthers on Sunday, Favre released his 5,000th NFL pass. There are 12 other QBs in the game to throw 5,000 or more passes. Can you name eight of them?
2: tackles Keyshawn Johnson has this season
4: career TDs Mike Alstott has against Packers.
31: tackles Derrick Brooks needs to reach 1,000.
Other members of NFL's 5,000 club: Dan Marino (8,358), John Elway (7,250), Warren Moon (6,823), Fran Tarkenton (6,467), Dan Fouts (5,604), Joe Montana (5,391), Dave Krieg (5,311), Vinny Testaverde (5,280), Boomer Esiason (5,205), Johnny Unitas (5,186), Jim Hart (5,076) and Steve DeBerg (5,024).
"If I were a fan, he would be my favorite player in the league. He's a guy who loves the game of football and plays it with great enthusiasm. It's infectious to his teammates and puts him in a position to elevate the play of the entire team. He ... will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL. He's a great challenge for us."
-- Bucs safety John Lynch on Favre