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Packers take advantage of Bucs' rookie left tackle

By SHARON GINN, BRANT JAMES and ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 8, 2001

Flash photo/audio gallery Photo gallery

TAMPA -- Kenyatta Walker knew the day would come when the left tackle would be exposed as the "rookie" left tackle.

The 14th selection in April's draft out of Florida struggled in all facets of his game Sunday, committing a hold and a 15-yard face-mask penalty in the first half and allowing four sacks -- three by second-year defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila -- in the second.

"I played like a rookie. I looked like a rookie," Walker said. "They confused me. They threw some different looks at me. I was (upset), but I can't let it get me down."

The consolation is he didn't relinquish any sacks in the fourth quarter as the Bucs rallied for a 14-10 victory against the Packers.

"I fought through it," Walker said. "It looked like everything was new to me, but I didn't get down on myself. "I have to look at it like this: It's a long season, and I have to go back there and stick it out."

Another lineman, second-year guard Cosey Coleman, bruised his right knee in the first half. X-rays were negative.

"I was trying to get back in. I went out the next two drives, but it wasn't working," he said. "I was hoping it would be one of those things that would go away. But it just wasn't. I'll be ready Sunday."

BROOKS INJURED: Linebacker Derrick Brooks injured his left foot on the game's final play. He was limping badly an hour after the game. X-rays were negative, and trainers called the injury a foot sprain.

"I was jumping up to make the play," Brooks said. "I came down on the wrong foot. Hopefully, it's a minor twist. We'll know more about it (today)."

CHALLENGED: Bucs coach Tony Dungy has a dubious history with challenging on-field rulings, but he won one Sunday when he questioned the mark on a third-and-3 run by Ahman Green in the second quarter. After a review, it was determined Green was stopped 6 inches short. The Packers then punted.

"I was right in front of it. I thought he missed it by 6 inches live," Dungy said with a wink. "Fortunately, I had a chance to see it on the replay, so I thought it was going to be an easy one."

OFFENSIVE: The Bucs' offensive woes were well-demonstrated with 1:19 left in the first half, when they took over at their 49. They lost 3 yards (in part because of a 15-yard face-mask penalty against Walker) on five snaps and punted. After Walker's penalty moved the Bucs back to their 34, Brad Johnson completed a 6-yard pass to Keyshawn Johnson and a 9-yarder to Jacquez Green. But Brad Johnson was sacked on third and 10 at the Bucs 49.

PICKED OFF: It was a long time coming for the Bucs' interception leader from last season, but Donnie Abraham, who had seven in making the Pro Bowl, got his first Sunday when he picked off Brett Favre with 6:46 left in the first quarter.

MISSING: Safety John Lynch makes much of his reputation as a hitter, but his abilities as a cover man and tackler were underscored on the Packers' first touchdown.

With Lynch on the sidelines in the second quarter because of a sprained left hip, Bill Schroeder beat Abraham, caught a pass up the right sideline and went 67 yards for the score after Lynch's replacement, Eric Vance, did not give support coverage in time.

Lynch returned on the subsequent series but limped noticeably the rest of the game.

FINALLY: Tight end Dave Moore, who had career-highs in receptions (29) and yards (288) last season, entered the game with no catches but was integrated into the offense quickly. He caught two passes for 12 yards on the first drive.

He finished with three catches for 18 yards.

Reidel Anthony, who had 15 catches for 232 yards last season, also caught his first passes, finishing with three for 40. "It felt good to get back into the offense and get some first downs and some balls thrown to me," Anthony said. "Five- and 10-yard chunks get us first downs, not just shots down the field."

HIGH YIELD: Schroeder's four catches for 131 yards fattened his league-leading yards-per-catch average to 23.6.

ETC.: The Packers had not allowed a second-half point before Sunday. ... Mike Alstott has five career touchdowns against Green Bay. ... The Packers have never won at Raymond James Stadium. ... The loss snapped a league-high seven-game win streak. ... Five of the past six meetings between the teams have been decided by seven points or fewer. ... Dwight Smith averaged 26 yards on three punt returns.

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