'Learning Experience' Katherine Smith, The Tampa Tribune, published 18 December 2005 John Wade likes to look at the game film before making an assessment about the offensive line's performance. He didn't need the tape following Saturday's 28-0 loss to New England to verify two things. "I know Chris [Simms] got hit too many times and the running game wasn't there," Wade said. Tampa Bay's offensive line had been on a roll, helping string together four consecutive games with 100-plus rushing yards. And then there was the manner in which the line was protecting Simms, allowing only six sacks in the past five games. That roll came to a halt when the defending Super Bowl champions stalled the Bucs' ground game and teed off on Simms, sacking him a season-high seven times. "We have been jelling," Anthony Davis said. "I wouldn't call this a setback, but it's something we can learn from though. Definitely, we can learn from this experience." Tampa Bay's running game produced a season-low 30 yards and the seven sacks were the most New England has collected since the 2003 season. In fact, the Patriots' sack yardage (47) exceeded the Bucs' rushing total. "We came in with a lot of seven-man protections," Jon Gruden said. "We weren't outnumbered. We got whipped a couple of times." Alex Smith sported a purple bruise on his forehead after Saturday's game. The Bucs' rookie tight end was part of the max-protection unit that suffered from multiple breakdowns. "It was a physical game," Smith said. "I think when they were able to stop the run, it put our whole offense in a bind. Once we got down big, they were able to send some blitzes at us. They were expecting the pass and they have a good scheme for that." When the Bucs fell behind 21-0 in the first half, Wade said the offense became predictable, throwing often in an attempt to come from behind - a situation pass rushers thrive on. "I don't think they really did a lot of stuff to confuse us," right tackle Kenyatta Walker said. "It's just when you play a team like the Patriots and you get behind, and they want to blitz anyway, it's a tough day. When you get behind like that, no offensive line likes it. It's just straight pass protection. Eventually, they're going to win some." New England linebacker Mike Vrabel won one battle when he came clean around Walker near the end of the first half and forced a fumble. The turnover led to the Patriots' third touchdown. "Offensively, we just had breakdowns all across the board up front, me especially," Davis said. "We've just got to tighten that up. We had a lot of mental breakdowns out there today and we had a lot of physical breakdowns, too. We've got to tighten it up. We'll be back home against Atlanta, so we've got to tighten it up."