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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 8, 2001
Talk of the town
Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio:
WELCOME BACK: Fair is fair. We picked on the defense last week for failing to protect a lead and not providing a big play. It did both Sunday.
RAMBLING, SCRAMBLING MAN: As a scrambling quarterback, he might have more in common with Fran Drescher than Fran Tarkenton, but give Brad Johnson credit. That broken play he turned into an 11-yard gain immediately preceded the winning touchdown.
TWO DEEP OR TOO DEEP?: With opposing defenses employing a two-deep coverage to prevent long pass plays, the Bucs have chipped underneath. We'll accept that as a partial explanation. But isn't it necessary to occasionally go deep to keep the defense from stacking the line? THE LITTLE THINGS: By the end of the game, it was long since forgotten, but Aaron Stecker made an injury-saving block in the second quarter. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was heading full speed toward Brad Johnson's blind side when Stecker appeared from nowhere with a block. SAD SACKS: Not to harp on this but, after three games last year, the Bucs had 18 sacks. The defensive line was supposed to be even better this year, yet has four.
Five reasons to smile today:
5: They let Reidel Anthony and Dave Moore out of the locker room.
4: Ref Bob McElwee has such good eyesight that he can tell from a poor angle on a replay if a runner holding a ball in the air is within 6 inches of a first down.
3: The Packers handed off to Dorsey Levens on first down from the Bucs 13 with 44 seconds and one timeout remaining. When did they hire Mike Shula?
2: Displaying the type of unity that sports fosters, even Packers fans removed the cheese wedges from their heads during pregame ceremonies.
1: Shelton Quarles had to go 98 yards instead of 99.
With Warrick Dunn on the sideline with a foot injury, the Bucs employed five different formations in the backfield. Here is how they fared:
I-FORMATION WITH MIKE ALSTOTT AND JAMEEL COOK: The most popular formation, particularly in the second half. Running totals: 13 rushes, 75 yards. Passing totals: 9-for-10 for 66 yards and one sack.
ONE-BACK SET WITH ALSTOTT: Used predominantly on first- and second-down. Running: 3 rushes, 13 yards. Passing: 6-for-8 for 43 yards and one sack.
SHOTGUN WITH AARON STECKER NEXT TO BRAD JOHNSON: Used 11 times, including nine third-down situations. Running: 0 rushes. Passing: 7-for-8 for 59 yards and 3 sacks.
ONE-BACK SET WITH STECKER: Scrapped after first half. Running: 3 rushes, 11 yards. Passing: 0-for-2.
SHOTGUN WITH ALSTOTT NEXT TO JOHNSON: The only time this was used was a key third and 6 on the lone touchdown drive. Passing: 1-for-1, 16 yards.
Checking out the best bets (and the Bucs) for Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans:
1. RAMS: With one-quarter of the regular season done, St. Louis is the only unbeaten team.
2. RAVENS: What the heck has happened to the Titans? With Tennessee already out of the way, the Ravens should cruise in the AFC Central.
3. GIANTS Could have sworn this team was a fluke last year, but the defense is hard to ignore.
4. RAIDERS: What Jerry Rice is doing at this age may be more impressive than when he was in his prime.
10. BUCS: They're back in contention, although the division could come down to Nov. 4 at Green Bay.
Is Shelton Quarles still huffing?