Bucs defense delivers stout effort in loss The Tampa Tribune, published 22 December 2014 They stiffened in the red zone. They chased Aaron Rodgers off his spot. From sideline to sideline, they hit the Packers hard and often. And once again, it wasn’t enough. Playing without All-Pro tackle Gerald McCoy the entire game, Tampa Bay’s defense suffered another blow Sunday when middle linebacker Mason Foster was sidelined with a first-half Achilles injury. But despite an offense that mastered the art of going three-and-out before intermission, the Bucs stayed close to Green Bay for most of a 20-3 loss. “Our defense played really well today, especially against an offense like that,’’ Bucs center Evan Dietrich-Smith said. “They did their part — we did not.’’ The Packers rolled up 23 first downs and 431 yards, but Tampa Bay trailed only 10-3 through three quarters against Rodgers and an attack that had averaged 31 points per game. “It’s all right to say that we’ve got to do better, but we played good defense today against the best quarterback in the league, a guy who is probably going to win the MVP award,’’ Bucs cornerback Johnthan Banks said. “That’s a great team over there and you expect them to make some plays, but we made them kick field goals most of the day.’’ Tampa Bay’s defensive highlight came in the third quarter at the end of a long drive as Randall Cobb caught three passes from Rodgers for 42 yards. The Packers had a first-and-goal from the 6-yard line before Eddie Lacy gained five yards up the middle. Runs by Lacy and John Kuhn failed to gain an additional yard and Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy bypassed a chip-shot field goal on fourth down from a yard away. Rodgers lined up with an empty backfield and his slant pass intended for Cobb was broken up by corner Leonard Johnson. “You can’t guess on that play, you just have to read your keys and play what they show you,’’ Johnson said. Although Cobb (11 catches for 131 yards) and Jordy Nelson (nine for 113) each topped the 100-yard mark, the Packers knew they had been in a physical matchup. “They made us earn it,’’ Nelson said. “We had to dink and dunk, but I expected that. That’s a Lovie Smith defense. Same thing as Chicago. They make you go the long way. They don’t let you get behind them. You have to be patient and attack where you can.’’ Tampa Bay’s lone takeaway came five minutes into the game when right defensive end Michael Johnson slanted inside for a sack, forcing a Rodgers fumble that was recovered by defensive tackle Clinton McDonald. “We should have done a little more of that this year,’’ Johnson said of his inside rush. “We were fighting hard for each other out there, and it showed. Our guys in the back did a good job making Rodgers hold onto the ball. That’s an offense I saw score almost 60 points by the third quarter in prime time (42-0 halftime lead against Chicago), so we had our hands full.’’ The Packers added a field goal and a touchdown in the final 11 minutes to pull away, but not before making a vivid impression. “I have to salute their effort and hustle,’’ Packers rookie center Corey Linsley said. “A lot was asked of them and they did a nice job. I mean, losing McCoy is tough, but they didn’t seem to miss a beat.’’