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No light packing on this road trip

By ROGER MILLS and ERNEST HOOPER

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 23, 2000

TAMPA -- Considering the forecast for North Pole-like weather, equipment manager Darin Kerns has his hands full making sure players and coaches are well-dressed on the sideline.

"We like to give them options," Kerns said. "We have body suits made of polypropylene material that's been proven to perform really well in cold weather. It's light, but there's something to it to protect your skin from the weather. Guys wore it in Chicago and seemed to like it, so we're going to give them the same options."

Kerns said regardless of what the players wear they will be cold, but added that once the game starts, the players seldom have concerns about the equipment.

"That's what pregame is for," he said. "We decide on the length of the cleats in pregame, we decide on how many layers they want to wear. We try to get all the kinks worked out in pregame."

Kerns said the body suits have become thinner over the years and less constrictive.

THE FINAL LEG: The race to determine who finishes with the Bucs' single-season sack record is entering its final leg, and predictably, defensive tackle Warren Sapp is paving the way with a career-high 151/2 sacks.

But defensive end Marcus Jones isn't far behind with a career-high 13.

"I can catch him, conceivably," Jones said. "But I guess the only way I can do that is by catching him this week."

Remarkably, in one season Sapp and Jones were able to pass and tie Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon's 23-year team record of 13 sacks.

While Sapp's accomplishments surprise few, considering he is the reigning defensive player of the year, it is Jones' mark that has made the airwaves.

Left unprotected two years ago during the expansion draft, Jones has turned his career around and was rewarded with a seven-year contract extension on Nov. 9. He said a lot of the credit goes to Sapp.

"I hold him as one of the best in the league," Jones said. "He brings consistency throughout and when you play along someone like that, you yourself have to pick up your game to the next level. He's a great player and I'm striving to get to that level."

FINISHING UP: The Bucs are hoping their strong December performance is a precursor to the playoffs, especially when you consider there aren't that many teams playing well toward the end of the season. That's just one more reason the Bucs need to beat the Packers Sunday, to stay on a hot streak.

"You do have some momentum based on how you came in," coach Tony Dungy said. "I think we saw that last year. We saw some teams that were hot and playing well that continued on and some teams that had some injuries that they went out early. It's a one-game knockout and sometimes one play can do it for you. So you just have to be ready to play."

Since 1998, the Bucs have the league's best December-January record at 10-2. The Jets are second at 9-2.

Here's how the playoff contenders have fared this December: Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Green Bay and the Giants are 3-0; Denver, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh are 2-1; Philadelphia is 1-1; Minnesota, Oakland, Miami, Detroit, St. Louis and the Jets are 1-2.

MIXED EMOTIONS: While most in Tampa Bay were rooting for the Bucs Monday night, Detroit players were in an emotional quandary. The Bucs' victory over the Rams enhanced the Lions' chances, but that didn't make it any easier for Detroit defensive end Luther Ellis.

"I never root for Tampa Bay," Ellis said. "I know other people think I'm crazy, but they could lose the last two games as far as I'm concerned."

Safety Ron Rice had nearly as much of a problem pulling for the Bucs.

"It was tough," Rice said, "but I was rooting for them. Sometimes St. Louis would hit a play and I'd jump up and say, "Yeah,' because I don't like that guy, but I had to catch myself and say, "Oh, we want Tampa Bay to win.'

"It was kind of hard watching them. You're cheering for a divisional opponent and that's always tough, but I had to have my priorities in order for Monday night."

INJURY REPORT: Center/guard Todd Washington was listed as inactive for Sunday's game after a minor hamstring strain Thursday. He did not practice Friday. Receiver/returner Karl Williams (left thumb strain) practiced with his thumb in a special cast and Dungy said he should be able to play Sunday. Fullback Charles Kirby (left hamstring), linebacker Shelton Quarles (left ankle sprain), left tackle Pete Pierson (left calf strain) and guard Frank Middleton (left ankle sprain) are probable. Other inactives for Sunday's game are receiver Frank Murphy, linebacker Al Singleton and running back Aaron Stecker. SIGNING: Tight end Randy Palmer was signed to the practice squad. Rookie defensive end Mawuko Tugbenyoh was released.

What to pack

Here's a list of equipment the Bucs will make available to each player:

1 pair of cold weather gloves

1 stocking cap

1 skeleton mask

1 pair of thermal socks

1 pair of tights

1 long sleeve mock turtleneck

1 pair of hand muffs that wrap around the waist

1 pair of hot pack hand warmers for coat pockets or hand muffs

1 sideline coat when not playing

1 polypropylene body suit

-- Compiled by the Bucs equipment staff.

Recent coverage

Green pacing the Packers (December 22, 2000)

Stecker jumps at the idea of scoring in his hometown (December 21, 2000)

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