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Bucs sideline

By ROGER MILLS
© St. Petersburg Times,
published December 9, 2001

THE FIRST WORD

Known as one of the most accurate passers in NFL history, quarterback Brad Johnson entered his 10th season with a completion percentage of 61.8, ranking him third all-time behind Steve Young and Joe Montana. In his first Bucs season, the former Florida State QB has played as advertised. Johnson enters today's game completing 64.6 percent of his passes and routinely connects with six or seven receivers every game. He explains that his accuracy is a product of a number of things: "One, you have to get your feet set. And then two, you have to be able to throw the ball. Then you need guys around you who are able to make the catch."

DID YOU KNOW?

Bucs running backs have enjoyed good days against the Lions. Warrick Dunn has 111 rushes for 410 yards with one touchdown and 39 catches for 488 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Alstott has 104 carries and 357 yards and four touchdowns.

GOT TRIVIA SKILLS?

Ronde Barber's blocked punt last weekend in Cincinnati, which resulted in Todd Yoder's 11-yard touchdown return, was the first of his career. Who was the last Buc to block a punt?

A. Singleton

B. Abdullah

C. Abraham

D. Gooch

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• 0 -- teams that have started 0-12 in past 20 seasons.
• 8 -- catches Keyshawn Johnson must average through last five games of the season to break Herman Moore's single-season record of 123.
• 10 -- TDs Bucs have allowed this season from red zone.
• 29.4 -- third-down conversion rate of Bucs opponents in past six games.
• 93 -- combined games missed by Lions players this season because of injury.

WHEN LAST THEY MET

It took a 35-yard Martin Gramatica field goal with four seconds left to give the Bucs a 20-17 victory against the Lions on Nov. 11. The winner came, however, only after the Bucs blew a 17-7 lead. The highlight for the Bucs was Karl Williams' 84-yard punt return for a TD.

MAKES YOU GO HMMM!

At least this week, the Bucs running game can't feel that badly. At 79.8 ypg, the Bucs are 29th in the NFL in rushing. This week, however, they play the Lions, who at 78.8 ypg are 30th. ... The Bucs are 5-1 against rookie quarterbacks during Tony Dungy's coaching tenure. ... For a guy who was demoted to the bench, Donnie Abraham is still doing his thing. He has four interceptions. ... The Bucs have held four consecutive opponents to less than 100 net yards rushing. ... The Lions have won 10 of the past 14 regular-season games against the Bucs.

TRIVIA ANSWER

A. Al Singleton blocked and returned a punt 28 yards for a TD against Arizona, Sept. 28, 1997.

THE LAST WORD

"It's helped. That's one of the things we want to do, was get our percentage of completions up. He's done that and that's helped us move the ball." -- Dungy on Brad Johnson's accuracy

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