Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Dungy sees return of injured players

By ROGER MILLS and ERNEST HOOPER

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 11, 2000

TAMPA -- Coach Tony Dungy frequently recites the NFL adage that the best ability is availability.

Well, it seldom has applied to the Bucs more than it does going into Sunday's game with the Packers.

Quarterback Shaun King and defensive end Marcus Jones, both of whom had the flu this week, appeared to be healthy at Friday's practice. And defensive end Chidi Ahanotu and starting linebacker Shelton Quarles are likely to play although recovering from a left knee bruise and a right groin strain, respectively.

Jones said he dropped from 292 pounds Monday to 280 pounds Wednesday but has regained most of that weight.

In addition to the flu, King's tonsillitis was a concern for Dungy on Thursday morning.

"We kept his voice down today and tried not to use those voice muscles," Dungy said, joking. "I think he's going to be fine. We think Shaun is going to be much better by (today)."

Ahanotu's problem is similar to Warren Sapp's last weekend, which didn't keep the defensive tackle out of the game against the Falcons.

"Chidi, I think, is going to be fine," Dungy said. "It's got a little fluid in there and there doesn't seem to be any structural damage, so we think he'll be fine."

Quarles missed the game in Atlanta but was upgraded from questionable to probable Thursday and practiced Friday.

HEY, THAT'S MINE: During the second quarter of Sunday's game, the Bucs sacked quarterback Chris Chandler on three consecutive plays. Defensive tackle Steve White got the third, defensive tackle James Cannida got the second, but there's a friendly squabble over who got the first.

It appeared that Cannida and safety John Lynch combined for the first sack, but Lynch was credited with the takedown.

"I had to come in the office and politic a little bit to get it back," Cannida said. "They said they were going to look into it."

Cannida said his defensive line teammates are behind him and have been messing with Lynch, accusing him of stealing Cannida's thunder.

"He's begging," Lynch said, joking. "He shouldn't even be talking like that because the next play I was in there again. I should have had two."

Stay tuned.

HURT SO GOOD: Defensive end John McLaughlin described his block of Dan Stryzinski's punt Sunday as the most thrilling moment of his NFL career. But it didn't come without a price. Pain.

McLaughlin said the ball hit the palm of his hand and left more than an imprint.

"It hurts," McLaughlin said. "It hit me right in the palm of the hand and after the play was over I looked down on my hand and I thought it was split open or something. It was just stinging."

Known for his zany approach to life, McLaughlin said he will put up with the pain if he can continue to block punts and eventually down one in the end zone.

"It's about as thrilling a thing that can happen to you," the second-year player said. "So far in my life the biggest thing that has happened to me is blocking a punt in the NFL. It's been my highlight. Now, I just have to fall on the ball and get a touchdown so I can do my little premeditated celebration (punting the ball into the stands). I'll take the fine. I think it's about $500."

DOING HIS THING: Cornerback Donnie Abraham finished last season with a career-best seven interceptions, falling two shy of the team record set by Cedric Brown in 1981. After two against the Falcons, Abraham has six with seven games left.

"He really makes the most of his opportunities to get them," Dungy said. "He doesn't drop many balls and has a knack for them. (His skill is) just being a good player, understanding the system, knowing where to be and having the confidence to go at the ball. A lot of guys don't have that confidence that they can make plays. Donnie does and has had it ever since he's been here."

Despite his strong season last year, Abraham didn't make it to the Pro Bowl and Dungy said he wouldn't be surprised if Abraham is overlooked again this season.

"I actually thought he should have made it last year," Dungy said. "I was surprised then, so I guess I won't be surprised this year. The Pro Bowl is kind of strange voting sometimes. You just never know how that's going to go. Sometimes, the best players don't always go, as we know."

Abraham has 12 interceptions in his last 16 games.

INACTIVES: Tackle DeMarcus Curry, safety David Gibson (left quadriceps strain), wide receiver Andre Hastings and tight end Todd Yoder will not dress Sunday. The Bucs will declare four additional players inactive 90 minutes before kickoff, which is set for 4:15 p.m.

FOOD DRIVE: The Glazer Family Foundation has joined with Divine Providence Food Bank and Raymond James Financial to conduct the annual holiday food drive Sunday. Fans are asked to bring food and/or monetary donations to the RJS gates at they enter the stadium.

Fans can drop off donations at all gates beginning at 2:15 p.m. Sunday.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright