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Katherine Smith, The Tampa Tribune, published 14 October 2002
NOTHING SPECIAL
The Bucs' field goal unit was a comedy of errors. But it wouldn't have been so funny had Tampa Bay lost to Cleveland. The Bucs had a field goal blocked in Sunday's 17-3 victory. They botched a snap on another and had one field goal sail wide left. Former USF standout Anthony Henry blocked a 45-yard attempt in the third quarter, followed by K Martin Gramatica's 34-yard attempt that sailed wide left. The unit finished with a low snap by Morris Unutoa, which holder P Tom Tupa could only run with and get tackled for a 9-yard loss. ``It was just one of those days,'' Tupa said. ``We've got some things to work on this week. Luckily we didn't hurt ourselves today.'' Before the breakdowns Sunday, Gramatica had converted nine consecutive field goals, including a long of 52 yards against New Orleans. ``It's a better feeling when you win, but it still hurts that I wasn't able to help the team,'' Gramatica said. ``We won, so that's all that matters.''
GUESS WHO'S BACK?
During the season's first game, RT Kenyatta Walker watched from the sideline because of his ineffectiveness in camp. After rebounding with two good performances, Walker was forced to the sideline again, this time for two weeks with an ankle sprain. Walker started Sunday for the first time since he was injured in the Sept. 23 Monday night victory against St. Louis. ``It felt good,'' Walker said. ``It felt real good to be back out there. For [Coach Jon Gruden] to say he needed me and we rushed for more than 100 yards, it felt good.'' Not only did the Bucs gain 186 yards on the ground, but for the first time this season, QB Brad Johnson was not sacked. FB Mike Alstott, who rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns, was quick to credit the offensive line for his success. ``Pretty much every time I touched the ball, there was either a hole to the right or up the middle or there was some huge cutback lanes,'' Alstott said.
AIMING HIGH
Ronde Barber led the league last season with 10 interceptions. On Sunday, he got his first of the year, moving him into a tie for fifth place with three others on the club's career interception list with 17. One more will tie Barber with teammate John Lynch. Barber is aiming higher. He's shooting for former Buc Donnie Abraham's club record of 31. ``I'm chopping some wood on that record,'' Barber said. ``Donnie's up there, but I'm chopping some wood. I'll get up there sooner or later.''
INJURY UPDATE
Shelton Quarles was shaken up in the first quarter when he got the wind knocked out of him after tackling Cleveland WR Quincy Morgan for no gain. He was replaced by Nate Webster, but returned in the second quarter. Lynch (knee sprain) and NT Anthony McFarland (foot sprain) started Sunday, even though both missed most of the practices last week with injuries. Lynch said as of Saturday night, he didn't think he would be able to play, but felt better Sunday. The Bucs reported no serious injuries following the game.
SACK MARK
Warren Sapp's two sacks extended the Bucs record of at least one sack to 50 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the NFL. The longest streak in the NFL prior to the Bucs' run was by Denve from 1994 to 1998, when it had a span of 50 games with at least one sack.
THE UK CONNECTION
Paul Stewart and Phil Jones, both members of the Buccaneer Supporters Club UK, made their annual trek from England to Tampa this past weekend. The two capped off a busy weekend with Sunday's game at Raymond James Stadium. They began the trip with a visit to One Buc Place, then attended a high school football game Friday night. On Saturday, they gathered with a group of Bucs fans at Lee Roy Selmon's restaurant.
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