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Bucs happy to have fate in their hands

By ROGER MILLS and BRUCE LOWITT
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 18, 2001

TAMPA -- As disappointed as the Bucs were in Sunday's 27-3 loss to the Bears, players were holding heads high Monday.

The playoffs are still a possibility and a number of players said that was a reason for optimism.

[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] Clyde Christensen is frustrated but has the support of the coach and players.

"You don't have to get into it mathematically, we win three and we're in," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "That's the best thing about it. We're sitting in the driver's seat, not so much the driver's seat, we're pretty close to where we can get to it. We win our games and we're in. That's pretty much all we can ask for, the way we've been playing the last 13 weeks of this season."

Added veteran receiver Karl Williams: "You always want something to play for and we control our own destiny if we win these last three games. There are a lot of teams that wish they were in the position we are in right now."

As ugly as Sunday's collapse was for the Bucs, the team is upbeat because of its 11-1 regular-season home record in December under coach Tony Dungy. The Bucs face the Saints Sunday, the Ravens Dec. 29 and the Eagles Jan. 6, all at home.

"That's what you have to build off of," running back Warrick Dunn said. "We have some games that if we win out, we're in the playoffs. Now, there's still a lot of work to do, but we have to use that as motivation."

A victory Sunday would give the Bucs a tiebreaker advantage over the Saints, another team battling for the playoffs.

"We've got to win this game and put ourselves in position where we don't need any help," Dungy said.

DO YOU KNOW ME?: Expect Reidel Anthony, a former first-round pick, to play Sunday. He was inactive for the Bears game.

In Chicago, the Bucs opted to activate running back Aaron Stecker because Warrick Dunn and Jameel Cook were slightly banged up. The Bucs went with receiver/returner Frank Murphy in the fourth receiver spot.

Murphy severely sprained his right ankle and appears doubtful for the Saints.

"I think Reidel will be more of a factor this week, definitely," Dungy said.

INJURY REPORT: Sapp, who left Sunday's game early in the fourth quarter with a sprained left shoulder and likely will be limited in practice, said he expects to be in uniform Sunday. "Come hell or high water, I'll be in there," he said.

Cornerback Ronde Barber, who has a strained hamstring, also will have limited practice. "They seem to think they're going to be able to play," Dungy said, "and I wouldn't bet against them. I don't know how much they'll be able to practice."

Cornerback Brian Kelly's sprained left ankle "looks like it's a lot better than it was (Sunday)," Dungy said. "Hopefully he'll be able to practice, but he should be probable for the game."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "There's no time when we came out and teams just rolled over us. At no point, since I have ever been here, that we got rolled over. Back early, we just didn't know what the hell we were doing. Sometimes it seems like that now. (Chicago) was running like ain't nobody out there. Like we're the scout team." -- Sapp on Sunday's defensive effort.

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