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Gimme five

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 15, 2001

Talk of the town

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio:

Flash photo gallery Photo gallery

THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE: Tampa Bay's bend-but-don't-break philosophy on defense is getting bent out of shape. The Titans converted more third downs Sunday than they had in three previous games. The Bucs may use the Ravens as an example of what a team can do with a dominating defense, but Tampa Bay is not in Baltimore's league when it comes to stuffing opponents.

POETIC JUSTICE: Based on replays shown by Fox, the referee erred in overruling Kevin Dyson's touchdown. There was not conclusive evidence Dyson stepped out of bounds. Still, it was not a miscarriage of justice. Dyson was in position to make the catch because he committed offensive pass interference by pushing off on Brian Kelly's helmet.

NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT: When did they invite the replacement officials back? These guys managed to tick off head coaches of both teams while calling phantom penalties for face masks, illegal formations and huddling to take straw polls on what should have been simple calls.

DeRON JENKINS: Not to say Tennessee's cornerback can be beaten, but this guy couldn't provide enough cover to get into a nightclub.

KEYSHAWN JOHNSON: Played like a star should. Seven of his receptions went for first downs, including three on the tying drive. Not to mention a key block on Warrick Dunn's touchdown reception.

A list of five

Five most likely options on third and long:

5: Screen pass to Dunn.

4: Screen pass to Dunn.

3: Successful screen pass to Dunn.

2: Screen pass to Dunn.

1: Screen pass to Dunn.

Five Titans blunders/penalties that kept the Bucs alive:

INVITING ZACH PILLER IN HUDDLE: The Tennessee offensive lineman committed two penalties that wiped out first downs on a first-quarter drive. Two plays after his second penalty, Derrick Brooks made an interception.

PAYING TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO SEAN McDERMOTT: Watching the Bucs long snapper adjust the ball, Josh Evans jumped offside on a field-goal attempt. The Bucs got a first down and scored a touchdown seconds later.

NOT LEARNING FROM THEIR MISTAKES: After Evans jumped offside on the field-goal attempt, Aric Morris did it on a Bucs punt. Another first down that resulted in a second touchdown.

FAILING TO WAIVE JENKINS AT HALFTIME: Tired of being beaten in pass coverage, Jenkins resorted to pass interference on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter. Two plays later, a third touchdown.

DEPTH-PERCEPTION PROBLEM: Defensive lineman Kevin Carter lined up offside to negate a Titans interception. Fifty-nine seconds later, a fourth touchdown.

Big easy picks

Checking out the best bets (and the Bucs) for Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans:

1. RAMS: Impressive come-from-behind win against the Giants, but Marshall Faulk's injury could create major problems.

2. PACKERS: Brett Favre rediscovers Antonio Freeman.

3. GIANTS: Playing defense like the Ravens did last year.

4. RAIDERS: May be the best in a watered-down AFC.

11. BUCS: If this was the BCS, the Bucs would be buried. They are .500 while playing opponents with a combined record of 7-11.

Final five words

At least they were aggressive.

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