Sports: Offense seeking identity

Offense seeking identity

"We have to decide what we're going to be,'' Bucs coach says.

By RICK STROUD

TAMPA -- Bucs coach Tony Dungy was an ocean apart from the front office at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii in February when he agreed during a conference call to change offensive coordinators.

But he knew once that decision went from surf to turf, it could create some challenges for his defending NFC Central champions.

"It's the normal thing that's going to happen," said Dungy, who replaced Mike Shula with Les Steckel. "We didn't make the decision lightly. I'm not second-guessing the decision, this is just sort of what happens.

"I think that's part of our problem, we're trying to get the quarterback going and get him some throws and kind of get each (running) back some things. We have to decide what we're going to be and how we're going to move the ball and really work towards that. Whoever that is. I think all our guys can do the job and we have at times. But we've got to get an identity of what we're going to be."

They'd better do it fast.

After Thursday's 28-14 loss to Detroit, the team's fourth straight -- the longest winless streak since Dungy went 0-5 to start his first season, 1996 -- the Bucs are in danger of falling out of playoff contention.

After his news conference Friday, Dungy met with his coaching staff to determine whether the Bucs can return to their formula of running the football and keeping their defense fresh to slam the door in the fourth quarter.

The Bucs had 8 yards per carry in the first quarter Thursday and finished with a 5.7-yard rushing average. But Steckel only ordered four running plays in the second half, despite a tied score until midway through the fourth quarter.

Instead, the Bucs relied on second-year quarterback Shaun King to make plays in the passing game, even on third and 1, and it resulted in three interceptions by King, two coming with the score tied and resulting in 10 points for the Lions.

"We averaged 5.7 a run and we only had three or four runs in the second half of the game," Dungy said. "We called the plays that we thought would work. We had a chance to make some of those plays. We didn't make them, but we have to look at what we do best and how we're going to do it. How are we going to use everyone? And we definitely have to get our running game going."

They'd better do it fast.

At 3-4, they are saddled with the same record as this point a year ago when they won their first division championship in 18 years. But Dungy warned the Bucs can't rely on what they accomplished in the past.

"I don't think it's time to forfeit and cancel the rest of the season," Dungy said. "But obviously we can't continue to go this way and have a successful year."

Dungy said he had no plans to make personnel moves, including at quarterback. But 13 turnovers in the last four games have put the defense in bad positions.

The defense yielded 170 yards rushing and three touchdowns Thursday night, participating in 75 plays. But for the third time in four games, the Bucs lost despite being tied or having the lead in the fourth quarter.

"I don't know if we started out the year with those three wins and our mentality was that games weren't going to be close," Dungy said. "Now when they are, we're not there. I think last year's team had an identity, and we're searching for that. I think last year's team thought we were going to be in a lot of close games. It doesn't seem like we're taking it by the throat."

Once again, it was a fumble by fullback Mike Alstott that turned the game. In short order, Tampa Bay went from owning the ball and an 8-0 lead to being tied 11-11 at halftime.

"We're doing all we can to eliminate those (Alstott fumbles)," Dungy said. "It's tough. I don't think we're going to never give him the ball again. We're going to try to eliminate them."

On Thursday, Alstott wasn't even the first option in short yardage situations. And Dungy was at a loss to explain why the Bucs abandoned their running game despite not trailing until late in the fourth quarter.

"I think you have to be able to run it down there and we've got guys who can run," Dungy said. "And earlier this season, we were. Mike was very effective down there. So we've got to look at that and see how we're going to attack." It won't get any easier. The Bucs host unbeaten Minnesota Oct. 29. And Dungy said the losing skid might begin to affect his club's confidence.

"When you lose four in a row, you can start to doubt yourself a little bit," said Dungy, whose team returns to practice Monday. "I've always preached to the team that the week before really doesn't have a bearing on the next week. You can't let a four-game losing streak affect your next game. Hopefully, that won't be the case."