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Bye gives Bucs a chance to regroup

By ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 16, 2000

TAMPA -- Tyoka Jackson caught a cold. Keyshawn Johnson flew to California. Shaun King attended Tulane's homecoming in New Orleans and Jerry Wunsch spent time at home with his new son.

But whatever the Bucs did over their two-day vacation, this much is certain: The bye week came at the right time and has been good for the team.

"I like it because it doesn't let us get into too much of a lull," Wunsch said. "Usually with a bye week you get like five days off. But with the way we're set up now, it works to our advantage so that we keep on working through."

The Bucs, who played at Minnesota on Monday, returned to full practice Sunday with a renewed focus on victory. By the time the Bucs kick off against the Lions on Thursday night, one month will have passed since their last win.

"That's a long time to go without winning," coach Tony Dungy said of his 3-3 team. "We've got to get back to playing well and doing things right. ... We haven't played in 10 days and playing on Thursday night will be exciting."

After losing three straight, returning to action at home, linebacker Jamie Duncan said, should provide extra incentive: "I think it could be tremendous. Any time you play at home there's always that X factor where the crowd can get you right back in it so fast. We could build some momentum just by playing the next few games at home and get this thing rolling the other way."

INJURY UPDATE: Defensive end John McLaughlin (left ankle), linebacker Shelton Quarles (right groin strain), safety Eric Vance (neck strain) and defensive end Steve White (right ankle sprain) are listed as probable. Quarles didn't practice but is expected to play Thursday. White also didn't practice.

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