Sports: First glance remains unflattering

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First glance remains unflattering

By ERNEST HOOPER

ONTIAC -- The Bucs should consider merging with the Chicago Bears after almost going scoreless in the first half for the fourth straight game Monday.

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Tampa Bay scored only three points against the Lions in the first two quarters and trailed 6-3 at the half. In their first four games, the Bucs have been outscored 58-3 in the first half, facing deficits of 21 points (Minnesota), 16 points (Green Bay) and 15 points (Chicago). Only against Chicago did the Bucs come back to win.

The Bears have been the antithesis of Tampa Bay, outscoring opponents 58-24 in the first half but getting outscored 75-20 in the second. The Bucs outscored their first three opponents 49-20 in the second half. The biggest problem has been an ineffective running game. On Monday, Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott combined for only 12 yards in the first two quarters.

REMEMBER ME: Michael Husted's 43-yard field goal with 13 seconds left in the half was his first of the season. Husted missed his only other attempt, in the opener against Minnesota.

Husted has three extra points. His field goal tied him with former K Donald Igwebuike for the team's all-time scoring record, 416 points.

GREEN OUT: The Bucs waited until game time before deciding WR Jacquez Green would not play because he still is recovering from thumb surgery. Green, wearing a soft cast, warmed up and tried to catch passes. After watching the workout, the coaches decided to make him inactive.

BUCS GET ROBBED: WR Robb Thomas made his first reception of the season, and it was a big one: a 13-yarder that set up Husted's field goal. Thomas' services were needed more than ever after WR Brice Hunter left with a concussion late in the first half. With Green and WR Bert Emanuel sidelined, the Bucs were down to three healthy receivers.

NEED TICKETS: Coach Tony Dungy, who grew up in Jackson, Mich., had plenty of fans and friends to accommodate. Dungy estimated he had to get more than 100 tickets to appease all the requests he got from his hometown.

PRIME-TIME PLAYER: RB Barry Sanders has had outstanding games throughout his nine-year career, and a number of those have been in prime time. Sanders is averaging more yards and more carries in his Monday night appearances. He has 102.93 yards per game on 20.32 carries. In seven previous Monday games, he averaged 116.3 yards on 24.0 carries.

NAME THAT TUNE: After each Detroit score, Perry Brown stands and sings Gridiron Heroes, the Lions' victory song. The song was written in the late 1930s after the team moved to Detroit from Portsmouth, Ohio.

WWJD: The acronym WWJD -- for "What Would Jesus Do?" -- has become a popular slogan for Christians, but someone in the Silverdome took it a step further in criticizing erstwhile starting quarterback Scott Mitchell.

A banner hanging in the end zone read "WWJD?: Trade Mitchell."

WALKER HONORED: Former Lions running back Doak Walker was honored with a moment of silence before the game. Walker, who won the 1948 Heisman Trophy before helping the Lions to two NFL championships, died Sunday. He was paralyzed in a skiing accident this year and died of complications from the paralysis.

AERIAL SALUTE: It wasn't as impressive as the B-52 that flew over Raymond James Stadium last week, but during the national anthem, the Lions had an eagle soar over the field from Section 317 to the 15-yard line on the other side.