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Bucs sideline

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 16, 2001

NO SECRETS

Sunday in Green Bay, a heated exchange between Bears defensive players and offensive coordinator John Shoop was caught by two media outlets and reported during the game.

In their 17-7 loss to the Packers, Fox sideline reporter Pam Oliver and Bears flagship radio reporter Mike Adamle reported that defensive players were angered about Shoop's conservative play-calling.

The Bears, who did not deny the squabble, claimed the reporters were eavesdropping and complained to the NFL.

"The Bears have contacted us and we're following through to ensure it doesn't happen again," league spokesman Greg Aiello said.

Bears coach Dick Jauron said that issue is inevitable.

"The problem is that everything that's said on the sidelines is public," Jauron said. "They record every single word you say, and that's difficult."

Adamle, a former Bear, said one problem is there are no specific rules.

"I'm more than happy to follow the letter of the law, if I knew what it was," Adamle said. "I reported it in such a way that there was an exchange and there was shouting. I didn't name names."

DID YOU KNOW?

To say that the Bucs running game hasn't played to its potential is like saying it's cold in Siberia. But here's a telling statistic: Through the first 12 games, the Bucs have run 151 times on first down and 107 carries have been for 3 yards or less.

FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING

1 -- first-quarter touchdown for Bucs this season.

16 -- first-quarter points for Bucs.

959 -- rushing yards for Bucs.

1,094 -- rushing yards for Packers running back Ahman Green.

WHEN LAST THEY MET

Receiver Marty Booker caught touchdown passes of 28, 44 and 66 yards to lead the visiting Bears to a 27-24 win four weeks ago. Down 24-9 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Bucs rallied behind touchdown runs by Mike Alstott and Brad Johnson. But with 6 seconds left, Martin Gramatica's 48-yard field goal to tie hit the right upright.

MAKES YOU GO HMMM

Bears running back Anthony Thomas rushed for 58 yards on 23 carries in the first game. Tampa Bay held the Bears to 68 yards on the ground. ... Eight running backs have gained more yards than the Bucs have as a team. ... In their first meeting time of possession for the Bears was 29 minutes, 17 seconds. Time of possession for the Bucs was 30:43.

THE LAST WORD

"Actually, we moved the ball pretty well in the first half. ... In the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, we were down and had to start throwing the ball and we moved the ball very effectively and scored 15 in the fourth quarter. We did some good things. They hit ... three big plays on us (between 8:21 of the second quarter and 9:33 of the third)." -- Brad Johnson, Bucs QB on the offensive effort in the first Bears game.

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