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The running back, playing injured, is tired of the backfield debate.
By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 14, 2001
TAMPA -- He has tried to play through the pain, elude tacklers who overpower his offensive line, explode into creases the size of an eyelash and make yards when there are only inches.
But when confronted with the great debate over who should carry the football for the Bucs, Warrick Dunn will not run from it.
"I think all people see is whoever is playing well, that's who we should go to. To me that is stupid, it's not looking at the big picture," Dunn said. "The thing is, they forget sometimes who's done what or who's gotten you here."
When the season began, Dunn was the primary ball carrier and Mike Alstott was mostly at fullback. And why not? Dunn led the Bucs in rushing three of the past four seasons, topped by his 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns in 2000.
But a severe foot sprain in Week 2 and a related hamstring strain three weeks later forced him to miss two games.
Compounding the injuries was the ineffectiveness of the offensive line, which has produced the 30th-ranked rushing attack in the league and the worst in team history.
Face it, Dunn says, no running back can thrive without blocking.
"You can't do it by yourself. You need all 11 guys on the field," he said. "By no means am I going to go out and break nine tackles. Sometimes, what I need to do is I may have to have a free one where no one touches me and then it gets you going. Maybe if I break one tackle. But I can't break five or six tackles.
"Our offense has changed when you have a new guy (Kenyatta Walker) on the left side and a new guy at right guard (Cosey Coleman). Some cohesiveness is gone. You have Randall McDaniel who's a vet, (Jeff) Christy hurt his knee and I think that hurt him when he first came back. You play through all that and you see the result. Sometimes you're trying to just dodge guys because you know they're coming after you."
Dunn also has not had the luxury of playing behind rookie fullback Jameel Cook, who has opened holes for Alstott. A year ago when Alstott was injured, Dunn rushed for 520 yards during a four-game stretch with the help of fullback Charles Kirby.
Offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said Dunn will get some carries behind Cook on Sunday at Chicago.
"I think we'll do it more and more and more," Christensen said. "I think Warrick didn't end up with many carries in this one. You ended up with 31 two-minute snaps. But I think the more Jameel plays and the better he plays, the more he'll just be in there as the fullback. So it's not by design. It's more about Jameel than this combination or that combination."
Christensen said Dunn's toughness allowed him to play through injuries that would've sideline most players.
"I don't think we've seen a full-speed Warrick Dunn yet," Christensen said. "We all know what he can do. We all know how tough he is. He's different. Most people let you know how hurt they are and stuff. Even when he's hurt, he tells you he's fine. The kid's got a heart of a lion and plays in a ton of pain. He's one of the real tough guys in this league, so I don't think any of us will know the pain he's played in. We haven't seen the 100 percent Warrick Dunn much this year."
This marks only the second week Dunn has been healthy enough to participate in all practices.
"It's been difficult," Dunn said. "It's one of the most frustrating things because usually when you get hurt, the injuries heal quick. For me, when I first got hurt, I thought I'd be out forever. Then I found out it wasn't as serious as we thought and I had to play on it. But the reality is it's not going to heal completely until I just rest and get off of it. So the odds are against me."
While Dunn has slumped to a career-low 2.8 yards per carry, he has remained effective as a receiver. Dunn is second behind Keyshawn Johnson in receptions with 57 for 469 yards and two touchdowns.
And, no, Dunn said he has not pressed to remain on the field because he will become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Although, he admits his timing could be better.
"It's unforeseen circumstances," Dunn said. "I get hurt in a contract year. If I had another year, I could come back, get in shape and prove myself again. But hopefully, this organization remembers what I've done. You can't judge me because I was out there on the football field giving my all and I got hurt and I've been trying to come back from an injury sooner than most people would have. Most people wouldn't have played with what I have."
If Bucs fans have short memories, Dunn does not.
The Florida State star has made some enormous plays over the past few seasons to propel the Bucs to the playoffs -- his improvised pitch to quarterback Shaun King on fourth down to spark the winning drive against the Rams; his Houdini escape from a certain safety and reception to set up the winning field goal against Miami; or his recovery of a King fumble that he turned into a first down in the win against Washington in 1999 divisional playoffs.
"Getting hurt and knowing the level you're used to playing at. That's humbling in itself," Dunn said. "But I think my friends and family have tried to make me understand where I was, where I am today and that it's just going to happen. It's going to come back. You have to be patient. I have been injured, I've been playing hurt and doing my best.
"My experience is, once it happens, they come in bunches. To me, just getting hurt early and fighting through something the whole season, it's been frustrating. But I just have to try to remember where I've been and where I want to go."
As for the debate -- Dunn or Alstott, Alstott or Dunn?
"Myself and Mike, we've both helped this football team win football games," Dunn said.
"I don't think there should be a debate. What they have to pull for is for both of us to succeed. They should say this team has won football games because of that."