Defense Handles Campbell, Redskins Anwar Richardson, The Tampa Tribune, published 20 November 2006 The Bucs defense has not been able to enjoy many days like this in 2006. Tampa Bay's once-celebrated unit was ranked 24th entering Sunday's game against the Redskins, and the Bucs had been outscored 197-112 in nine games. Turns out Washington was just what Tampa Bay needed. While Tampa Bay might be underachieving, the Redskins also have struggled. Washington's defense was ranked 30th entering Sunday, and a team that some thought could compete for a Super Bowl spot only had three wins in nine games. Washington stumbled into Tampa with running back Clinton Portis on injured reserve because of a broken bone in his right hand, receiver Santana Moss out with a left hamstring injury, and starting quarterback Mark Brunell benched in favor of untested Jason Campbell. Having to stop Washington's undermanned offense may have been the equivalent of hitting a slow-pitch softball, but Tampa Bay's defense whacked away to a 20-17 win. "A win at this point, especially with what we had going last game and the game coming up, feels good. [It's the] second half of the season and we're 1-1. We are just trying to build from here. Trying to get into the big picture of this season is too complicated," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said. "We've got a job to do, and we have to go out and do it." The task of having to shut down Campbell was one of the easier assignments Tampa Bay's defense has received this season. Campbell completed 19 of 34 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns, but his longest completion was 26 yards, and the Bucs held Washington to 64 rushing yards on 20 carries. "We definitely wanted to put some pressure on the kid. He's got the talent. He has a big arm, but he's young. We tried to give him as many different looks as we could. We gave him a lot of pressure. Dewayne [White] and those guys up front helped us out a lot with the pressure they created in the first half," Barber said. White had one sack, while Barber and Greg Spires each recorded a half-sack. Tampa Bay's biggest defensive play occurred in the fourth quarter. Washington faced third-and-13 on its 32-yard line when Campbell completed a short pass to running back Ladell Betts. He was able to gain 6 yards before Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips caused Betts to fumble, and cornerback Juran Bolden recovered the loose ball. Three plays later, Tampa Bay quarterback Bruce Gradkowski completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to receiver Joey Galloway, putting his team ahead 17-10 with 9 minutes, 35 seconds remaining. "It was an opportunity to make a play. They always say we need turnovers. It was a screen play to Betts. [Derrick] Brooks took on two linemen. Juran was outside, so when the back cut back, I was like, 'This is my opportunity.' So I just shot my gun and dislodged the ball. It was a great feeling," Phillips said. It also was a feeling the defense will not be able to savor for long. Tampa Bay travels to play the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, which will limit its preparation time. After the Cowboys, four of the Bucs' five remaining games will be against teams in playoff contention, and the other contest will be at Cleveland on Christmas Eve. The next six games will be difficult for Tampa Bay's defense, but for once, the Bucs had a day they could enjoy. "I really don't know some of the guys very well on defense that we're playing right now. Jovan Haye and Jon Bradley I do know, but these guys were giving us everything they had. We beat a good football team. I don't really care what their record was," Jon Gruden said.