Offense Unhappy With Lack Of Production Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 26 November 2007 The Bucs played the entire second half without any first downs and without any illusions. "Our defense played great and there's nothing else to say about it," second-year guard Davin Joseph said after the Bucs beat the Redskins 19-13, despite being limited to only 13 snaps in the final two quarters. "It's very disappointing to hang them out to dry like that." Tampa Bay turned four first-half fumble recoveries into a touchdown and three Matt Bryant field goals, then held off Washington's furious comeback bid while quarterback Jeff Garcia watched most of the game from the sideline with a bruised back. The Buc offense was on the field for only 5:14 after intermission. Coach Jon Gruden was so concerned about the lack of production, he ordered Garcia back in the game with 11:13 remaining. "I was the biggest cheerleader out there for our defense," said tight end Alex Smith, who caught three passes for 41 yards from backup Bruce Gradkowski. "The Redskins gave us a lot of different looks in the second half and we were struggling. All those three-and-outs nearly killed us." In their four full second-half possessions, the Bucs failed to generate a first down, gaining 16 yards in 12 snaps before Garcia's final kneeldown - a pose that seemed appropriate on a day Tampa Bay converted one of 12 third-down situations. "A win's a win, but if you're going to be effective late in the season, we have to be more productive," Joseph said. "Our running game was OK in some spots, but too many times it wasn't clean enough in terms of communication and execution." One locker room stall over, veteran center John Wade was succinct in his appreciation. "Defense, defense, defense," Wade said. "That's the story today, gentlemen." Gradkowski completed nine of 19 passes and was sacked twice, but the Bucs didn't commit a giveaway while forcing six turnovers and improving to 6-2 within the NFC. "Our defense did a great job today and we protected the football," said Gradkowski, who ran onto the field only three snaps into the game. Talk about your two-minute warning. "That's why a No. 2 quarterback always has to be prepared," he said. "Jeff takes some shots out there and that's why I'm always on the edge of my seat, ready to play. When I came in, I just didn't want to make any big mistakes." With Washington defenders crowding the line of scrimmage in Garcia's absence, Earnest Graham rushed for only 22 yards on 11 carries during the final three quarters. Only the strong right leg of punter Josh Bidwell kept the Redskins from assuming better field position as they attempted to rally against a club that is now 39-4 in the Gruden era when leading after three quarters. "The story of the game at this level is do not turn the ball over," said Redskins wide receiver Keenan McCardell, the former Buc who caught five passes in the second half. Still, despite the turnover flurry, the Redskins found themselves with an opportunity to end a two-game slide. "You can't say enough about that defense," Gradkowski said. "They've been playing their tails off these last couple of weeks and that's the reason we're winning football games."