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Bucs defense earns bit of needed redemption

Defense makes key interception and stops on Ahman Green, Antonio Freeman to seal the win.

By ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 8, 2001

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TAMPA -- For a week, members of the Bucs defense heard it from every angle, every sage, every smart alec with an opinion.

After giving up a winning 96-yard drive to the Minnesota Vikings, the Bucs defense, expected to be one of the best in the league, needed a boost.

Sunday's performance in a 14-10 victory over the Packers was more like a rocket launch.

Aside from giving up a 67-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre to Bill Shchroeder, the Bucs replenished hope in the bend-but-don't-break philosophy and did something it did not do last week -- make big plays.

"I guess this was a small justification for our defense, the way we let the team down last week," linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "A small redemption. We were able to hold and preserve the win. I thank God for the win but to me it's small in the whole scheme of things that is happening in the world today. To me, personally, I dedicate this win to the people over (in Afghanistan) fighting for us right now."

Redemption began early. After struggling to make tackles against the Vikings, linebacker Shelton Quarles said midweek he was ready to move on by playing well against the Packers.

He wasted no time. After almost intercepting Favre late in the first, Quarles wrote himself into Bucs history by stepping in front of a pass intended for tight end Bubba Franks at the Bucs 2 and racing 98 yards for the first score.

"I had the opportunity to make the interception (before) but I really didn't think about it at the time," Quarles said. "I was just trying to break up the play and make a tackle on the guy. I probably could have caught the ball but I said maybe I will get another opportunity later, and I just had to capitalize if I got a chance."

After breaking a tackle, Quarles rambled down the right side of the field, under careful escort from cornerback Ronde Barber, and plunged into the end zone, exhausted but exuberant.

Defensive end Simeon Rice joined the Bucs in the offseason carrying baggage of being less aggressive against the run. Though his primary job is to get to the passer, Rice's fourth-quarter stop of receiver Antonio Freeman was equally critical.

On third and 10 from the Bucs 31, the Packers handed off to running back Ahman Green, who handed off to Freeman on a reverse. Rice never bit and dropped Freeman for a 5-yard loss.

It was instinctive," Rice said. "They felt as though I would overplay the run and they thought wrong. You're going to get that. It's a beautiful thing for me to come out and make the big stop to help the team move forward. I can't play the run. Not at all."

Brooks said Rice is beginning to fit in with the defensive scheme.

"Simeon is coming up big," Brooks said. "I think he's really getting a feel for how this defense plays. The guy is stepping up."

And then there was safety Dexter Jackson. After missing several opportunities against the Vikings, including being caught out of position on a Cris Carter touchdown, Jackson was eager to make amends. He finished with five tackles and a interception, his second of the season.

"I took it hard on myself last week. I felt there were a couple plays I should have made," Jackson said. "But I studied film hard all week and (defensive backs) Coach (Mike) Tomlin did a great job helping me prepare for Favre.

"On the pick I was reading his eyes when he threw the ball and I just took off trying to get the ball. I ran hard and then looked up and saw the ball coming to me. I was thinking, 'Catch the ball. Catch the ball.' I was able to do it."

Linebacker Jamie Duncan said the gratifying feature was the defense got one special play from the linemen, linebackers and secondary.

"That's the beauty of team sports," Duncan said. "When your number is called you have to be accountable and make the play.

"Everyone's going to have a chance to make a play and it's up to you to make it work. That's what it's all about."

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