Talib leaves early, leaving secondary vulnerable Stephen F Holder The St.Petersburg Times, published 18 December 2011 The Bucs were encouraged when they learned CB Aqib Talib would return for Saturday's game against the Cowboys after missing Sunday's contest at Jacksonville with a hamstring injury. With a potent passing game on tap, Talib's presence was necessary. But Talib didn't last long, exiting midway through the first quarter of the 31-15 loss and leaving the defense in a vulnerable position. Talib's absence left the Bucs to face a quick-strike Dallas passing game, led by hot-handed QB Tony Romo, without its best defensive back. And the lack of depth at cornerback immediately became an issue, with the Cowboys completing numerous passes against Elbert Mack and Anthony Gaitor. Last year's third-round draft pick, Myron Lewis, was inactive, a coach's decision. "It makes you do different things," Raheem Morris said. "Aqib had a premier matchup vs. Dez (Bryant). That changed where (CB) Ronde (Barber) was going to be, and obviously that changed where everybody else was going to be. We wanted Ronde in there with (Dallas WR) Miles Austin on third down in the slot. You want Aqib outside dealing with Dez Bryant."