(3-1)
vs.
(3-2)
1:00 EST, CBS
@
The Bucs are running on empty.
Three of their premier backs -- Mike Alstott, Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman -- are on the shelf.
Williams and Alstott suffered season-ending injuries. Pittman will miss six-to-eight weeks with a high-ankle sprain.
That leaves fourth-year pro Earnest Graham and rookie Kenneth Darby as the only two healthy tailbacks as well as recently signed FB Zach Crockett.
It's a bad situation heading into a game against a Titans team Sunday at Raymond James Stadium that is ranked third overall against the run.
The Titans will be playing their third straight game against an NFC South opponent when they meet the Bucs Sunday. Their only loss was a two-point defeat to the Indianapolis Colts. The Bucs lost to the Colts 33-14 Sunday.
"They do an excellent job of stopping the run," QB Jeff Garcia said. "In watching film, there just aren't many windows of opportunity in the passing game, either. One of the things that this Titan defense is, is that they're very opportunistic. When they are forcing quarterbacks to throw the football, they are in the right place at the right time, picking off passes, scoring touchdowns and doing things that are helping their team to be as successful as they are.
"I give a lot of credit to the players on that team and the coaches on that team for the way that they play together, the way they get after the running game, the way they get after the quarterbacks and the way that they lock down outside with coverage on receivers, tight ends and running backs. They do a great job of playing overall outstanding defense."
Garcia, 37, has not thrown an INT this season. He will have to be sharp early against the Titans in hope of setting up the running game with success in the passing game.
Defensively, the Bucs have to be concerned with quarterback Vince Young.
In addition to his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet, he is a natural leader. There's a reason why the Titans have turned their fortunes around the last two seasons under Young.
The Titans also have a promising running back in LenDale White, who has been known to fumble the ball.
But Young sets the tone and can scramble away from pressure. The Bucs have struggled to put heat on a pocket passer, so it's not likely they will rattle Young.
"He's only been in the league for two years," Gruden said. "No mistake -- the Titans are 3-1 now and they won six straight to end the season or whatever it was last year. They won a lot of games at the end of the season. They're the real deal right now. Vince Young is coming on. Norm Chow deserves a lot of credit. You see moments where maybe he wishes he had a throw here or there back, but he's not afraid to pull the trigger. And when all hell breaks loose and he's got to create with his legs, there's nobody like him that I know. He's a winner."
