Bucs spank Rams 24-3 ...

[Nemesis21]

Bucs defense shines in 24-3 rout of struggling Rams


TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued to build a new identity on defense, leaving the winless St. Louis Rams to answer more questions about another puzzling performance on offense.

Hard-hitting safety Jermaine Phillips and reserve cornerback Phillip Buchanon intercepted passes as the revamped Bucs throttled Marc Bulger and routed the sputtering, injury-riddled Rams 24-3 on Sunday.

Obviously giving up three points is a tremendous feat in pro football, but we're expecting a lot more from them," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said.

"Nothing's good enough yet on defense, and we're going to hold the standards where they belong here. Until we get some quick three-and-outs and we start scoring on defense, we're going to be asking for a lot more."
The Bucs won the Super Bowl five seasons ago and had one of the NFL's stingiest defenses for nearly a decade before slipping to the middle of the pack statistically during Tampa Bay's 4-12 finish in 2006.
The unit is still led by Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber. But there are five new starters and several young reserves like Buchanon -- a former first-round pick given up on by two other teams -- being counted on, too.

Seldom-used running back Earnest Graham entered the game in the fourth quarter and scored on runs of 8 and 28 yards for Tampa Bay (2-1). Carnell "Cadillac" Williams rushed for a 7-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Matt Bryant kicked a short field goal in a brief but intense rainstorm to give the Bucs a 3-0 lead at the half.

St. Louis (0-3) remained winless despite finally getting Steven Jackson involved in an offense that's suddenly found it difficult to score points. The fourth-year running back had 115 yards on 30 carries and caught four passes for 18 yards.



The Bucs are currently 2-1, and are in a place No One expected. everyone expected us to be 0-3.

[PR07]

The Bucs are really surprising some people. Way to go...

Defense is playing well, and Garcia is giving the offense some good play.