10/30/2007 -
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Jeff Garcia tried to put a positive spin on Tampa Bay's third loss in four games.
The team's promising 3-1 start has dissolved into a 4-4 record, however the Buccaneers are confident they will regroup the second half of the season and remain in contention for a playoff berth.
``We can beat ourselves up about a lot of things, but we're only halfway through the season and I'm not going to allow myself to hang my head and be disappointed,'' Garcia said, reflecting on Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
``I think there are a lot of positive things to look at. We have eight games remaining, and I know this team's going to come back this next week, give everything they have to give, fight, battle, and do whatever it takes to turn this season around.''
A lopsided loss at Indianapolis four weeks ago was much easier to swallow than setbacks the past two weeks against Detroit and Jacksonville, which held off the Bucs despite playing without injured quarterback David Garrard.
Tampa Bay outgained the Lions and Quinn Gray-led Jaguars by hefty margins, but undermined themselves with turnovers and other mistakes.
Tampa Bay lost two costly fumbles at Detroit and Garica threw three interceptions during the loss to Jacksonville. Meanwhile, the Bucs defense didn't force a turnover in either game.
``You can go through all the statistics you want, play fantasy football and draft whoever you want. At the end of the day it's turnover ratio that decides football games,'' coach Jon Gruden said.
``We turned it over too many times in two weeks, and we haven't gotten any turnovers. Usually that'll do you in.''
Injuries have been a factor in the slide, but so have youthful mistakes and penalties.
Despite gaining 422 yards against Detroit and 385 against Jacksonville, the offense has struggled to finish drives and score touchdowns. Two of the four TDs the Bucs scored against the Lions and Jaguars came on long receptions by Joey Galloway.
With tailbacks Carnell ``Cadillac'' Williams and Michael Pittman sidelined by injuries, the running game has been inconsistent. The defense also has been affected by injuries, with cornerback Brian Kelly and end Patrick Chukwurah missing significant playing time.
Still, the Bucs are very much alive in the NFC South, where division-leading Carolina, New Orleans and Atlanta all have at least three losses.
``If we can get some guys back in the second half of the season, we could hang around and make this interesting,'' said Gruden, whose team has missed the playoffs three of the past four seasons.
Linebacker Derrick Brooks agreed.
``The reality is we're one game out of first place and we play that team again, so let's not hold your heads down,'' said Brooks, though the Bucs actually trail the Panthers (4-3) by a half game.
``We're trying not to get frustrated because we're doing so many things well. On the same token, it's about finding a way to win. For us to not have turnovers (the past two weeks), from my standpoint defensively, is not a way to turn the corner. We've really got to find a way to do it.''
The first step is rebounding next Sunday against Arizona (3-4), which is coming off a bye.
``Right now we're going to find out the true character of this team,'' defensive end Kevin Carter said. ``Basically, we've got to establish whether we're gonna be a playoff contender or not.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brett Favre added to his legend under the
lights, finding Greg Jennings for a game-winning 82-yard touchdown in
overtime, sending the Green Bay Packers to a dramatic 19-13 victory over the
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Tallahassee, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Florida State has suspended backup
quarterback Xavier Lee for two games.
"Xavier (Lee) has been suspended for two games for violation of academic
policy," said head coach Bobby Bowden. "That'
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Dallas, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Devin Setoguchi scored two goals in his NHL
debut to help the San Jose Sharks overcome the Dallas Stars, 4-2, at
American Airlines Center.
Setoguchi's first goal tied the game with 8:07 left, and
<< Ole Miss DE Hardy suspended
Oxford, MS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mississippi defensive end Greg Hardy has been
suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
Hardy leads the SEC with eight sacks.
"As I look across the country I see guys getting arrested, being pu
McFadden, Razorbacks hoping for big November >>
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -Darren McFadden agrees with the critics who say he's lagging in the Heisman Trophy race.He also remembers how important a few late-season performances can be.``I don't feel like I've done enough to be worthy of top considerat
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LOS ANGELES (AP) -Their No. 1 quarterback is still sidelined, their backup is limping, their leading rusher is out with a sprained knee, and their top receiver is sidelined by bruised ribs.What already was an up-and-down season for UCLA seems in per
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HONOLULU (AP) -Colt Brennan isn't surprised by Hawaii's perfect 8-0 start and believes the 12th-ranked Warriors are just getting going.Hawaii's star quarterback said he withdrew from the NFL draft and returned for his senior season, in part, to lead
Report: Torre to Dodgers >>
Westchester, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly
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Kurt Warner to start, Matt Leinart to watch
Despite the debate that's swirling , Kurt Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said today. The Arizona Cardinals are the +7 point underdog at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com for this Sunday's game.
Green's comment came in a statement released by the team following an ESPN report that Green decided that rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner as starter for Sunday's game at Atlanta.
"Generally talking about the starting lineup is not something we do," Green told the AP. "However, given the speculation that was out there we want to make it clear. We're disappointed after last week, but we still expect to be a playoff football team and we fully expect Kurt Warner to be the quarterback that leads us. That has not changed."
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Terrell Owens could return for Cowboys next game
A bye week will allow Terrell Owens broken hand to recover just in time for the next game the Dallas Cowboys are slated to play, according to reports. MySportsbook.com, an football sportsbook, has posted football betting lines on TO playing.
Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger Sunday night and had a plate surgically attached to it Monday. Although Owens' hand was swollen and aching Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he's optimistic the receiver will be back at work next week and catching passes a week from Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
MySportsbook.com online sportsbook listed Terrell Owens with odds of 7-2 (or $7 paid out for every $2 bet) to return back for the game against Tennessee.
"I certainly wouldn't rule it out now," Parcells said, referring to Terrell Owens immediate return. "Maybe five days from now I might, but I wouldn't rule it out now. ... I know we're looking to try to get him moving around pretty good in the next day or so. So we'll see where we are."
Owens did not speak with reporters Wednesday, but said Sunday he'd be out two to four weeks. A return against the Titans would be 13 days after the surgery. The Cowboys were listed as an early -7 1/2 favorite vs. the Tennessee Titans for Week 4 at MySportsbook.com
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