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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 9, 2001
TAMPA -- Last weekend it was Lambeau Field. This weekend it's the Silverdome. Next month, it will be Soldier Field.
The Bucs are making their final rounds through NFC Central Division cities, and a sense of nostalgia is creeping to the surface.
"It's just places that you know and people that you're accustomed to playing," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "The Silverdome, Lambeau Field, Triple H (Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome), Soldier Field. Come on, you can't replace those with the Georgia Dome, Death Valley and New Orleans. Come on. It just doesn't have the same ring to it."
The NFC is switching alignments next season, and the Bucs will be moved to the new NFC South with Carolina, New Orleans and Atlanta. The Bucs play in the Silverdome next season but, like most of the venues in the current division, no longer will routinely travel to Detroit.
"I'm in the Black and Blue division right now," Sapp said. "What are we going to call (the NFC South)? Sunny and meek? I don't get it. But that's the league we play in, and we've got to play the schedule that they put up there."
RETURN CONCERNS: After giving up a game-winning 55-yard punt return to Green Bay's Allen Rossum Sunday, the Bucs must turn their attention to the Lions' Desmond Howard, a Pro Bowl returner considered one of the best in the game.
While returning kickoffs is Howard's specialty -- he leads the NFC with an average of 28.5 yards -- he is second in the NFC in punt return average (12.8 yards). "He's playing very well," Bucs coach Tony Dungy said. "On kickoff returns he's been phenomenal. They're getting the ball out to midfield quite a bit. (On) punt returns, he's still dangerous. They really do a good job in their return game. They believe in him, and we're going to have our hands full."
OH, I REMEMBER HERE: This is quarterback Brad Johnson's first visit to the Silverdome with the Bucs, but he has been there with the Vikings and the Redskins.
Johnson's last game in Detroit is likely one he wants to forget. In a 15-10 Redskins loss to the Lions on Sept. 10, 2000, Johnson threw a career-high four interceptions, including Terry Fair's INT with 49 seconds left with the ball on the Lions 20-yard line.
Johnson said looking at just the interceptions is unfair because of how they came about.
"I remember all games I have played," Johnson said. "Good or bad. I've won in Detroit, I've lost in Detroit. It's a tough, tough place to play. I've had bad games, and I remember how the game went and how good a team they were."
LOOKS GOOD TO ME: Lions first-year coach Marty Mornhinweg added a taste of perspective to the Bucs' woes on a conference call Wednesday. After watching film of the Bucs, Mornhinweg was asked to identify the source of the Bucs problems.
Considering his Lions are 0-7, Mornhinweg said: "I don't think there are any problems in Tampa. Really, I don't. Sometimes the ball tends to bounce funny occasionally. That stuff goes in streaks."
RECEIVERS GETTING A LOOK: The Bucs Tuesday worked out six free-agent receivers: former Florida Gator Travis McGriff, Karsten Bailey (Auburn), Shockman Davis (Angelo State), Windrell Hayes (Southern California), Ramondo North (North Carolina A&T) and Willie Spencer (Tiffin).
INJURY UPDATE: Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland (right knee sprain) is out for Sunday, and receiver Jacquez Green (left groin) was downgraded to doubtful after missing practice Thursday.
Cornerback Donnie Abraham (lower back contusion), cornerback Ronde Barber (left hamstring), linebacker Derrick Brooks (left foot sprain), running back Warrick Dunn (right hamstring strain) and Sapp (left shoulder strain) are probable. Sapp did not practice but could return today.
Tight end Todd Yoder continues to have concussion symptoms and may not be ready for Sunday. Dungy said the Bucs would consider activating Mike Roberg from the practice squad to take his place.
Dunn continues his steady march toward recovery from his hamstring injury but said his sore big toe will be a concern the rest of the season.
"I'm almost back," Dunn said. "I have a little pain that's probably going to be there with me until the end of the season just because of the type of injury that I have. It's just something that I have to overcome, but I'll be fine."
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "No. No. No. Everybody will be on suicide watch then. And I'd be the first one on that list. That's nasty saying that. Then you compound that by saying (we) lost to an 0-7 team. Can you imagine the barrage that would come?" -- Sapp on the possibility of the Bucs going 3-5.