| | | | | | | |  Monday, December 23, 2002
Bucs ready for redemption
By Melissa Stark
Special to ABC Sports Online
There's a lot riding on the outcome of Monday night's Pittsburgh Steelers-Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ABC, 9 p.m. ET) matchup. The tight playoff race brings a heightened awareness to the importance of this game for both teams.
The 8-5-1 Steelers can't afford a loss if they want to stay atop the AFC North. The Bucs (11-3) have clinched a playoff spot, but a victory would help their bid at securing home-field advantage -- which would be huge. They don't want their road to the Super Bowl traveling through Green Bay or Philadelphia.
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Matchup To Watch
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Wayne Gandy vs. Simeon Rice
With 14.5 sacks, Rice is having a monster year. In the past, the knock on Rice was that you never knew what you were going to get from him. But this season, he's playing with a lot more consistency. He's been aggressive and determined to get to the quarterback.
An unrestricted free-agent after this season, Gandy has a lot to prove in this game. He's been hampered by a calf injury, but the eight-year veteran is looking to make a statement against the Bucs.
Last week, head coach Bill Cowher knew Gandy's calf was hurting. He pulled Gandy aside and told him that he could sit against Carolina, but that he needed him against Simeon Rice and the Bucs on Monday night.
--Melissa Stark
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This battle has grown more heated after the Steelers manhandled the Bucs last season in Tampa (Pittsburgh won 17-10). That win was a big confidence-builder for the Steelers and really got their season rolling.
That game has been a big topic of conversation. The Bucs are aware of the Steelers capabilities. And their offensive line is definitely looking for redemption. Especially Kenyatta Walker who had a particularly bad day, giving up three of the Steelers' 10 sacks.
There's also the bulletin board material supplied by Steelers' safety Lee Flowers, who last year deemed the Bucs "paper champions." The Bucs haven't forgotten. Warren Sapp and Flowers have been going at it all week.
When I asked Flowers if he regretted his comment, he said, "No. Not one bit." In fact, he added some fuel to the fire by adding that the reason the comment received so much publicity was because he was saying what people had been thinking for a long time.
Offense has never been a strong suit for the Bucs. But this year, Brad Johnson has really flourished in Jon Gruden's system. One of the top-rated QBs in the league, Johnson has really got the Bucs going. Surprisingly, Johnson was not selected to the Pro Bowl -- many of his teammates have voiced their disappointment.
But it's looking more and more like Johnson won't be playing this week. He's been bothered by a hand and thumb injury, but it's lower back problems that may keep him on the sidelines.
If Johnson is out, Shaun King will get the start. King is a more mobile quarterback, but he's only thrown one pass all year. The Steelers No. 3 ranked defense will no doubt, keep pressure on King and try and exploit his lack of playing time. They're anticipating him to be jittery and trying too hard. They'll try and force him to make mistakes.
But don't count King out. Who knows? It certainly wouldn't be the first (or second) time this season that a somewhat rusty quarterback came in and got the job done.
If King gets the start, the Bucs will be somewhat limited offensively. Look for them to utilize Mike Alstott and the run. Which is no small task -- the Steelers are the best in the league against the run. And their confidence is not wavering. Flowers was adamant that there is no way they'll allow the Bucs to run the ball effectively.
In addition to the run, Pittsburgh also expects the Bucs to come out playing typical Gruden-style football -- relying on the quick throwing offense where they can spread you out. Similar to game plans used by New England and Oakland in the first two weeks of the season -- both teams effectively picked apart the Steelers defense and came away with a win.
Offensively, the Steelers have become more of a passing team -- which bodes well considering running backs Jerome Bettis and Amos Zereoue have not practiced all week. But Tommy Maddox will have his work cut out for him, airing it out against a tough Bucs defense.
Maddox can't afford to make mistakes. The Steelers have been preaching "no turnovers" all week. A good portion of Bucs points have been generated by their defense. Not only do they make the big plays -- they turn them into points.
Key Injuries:
Tampa Bay will be without their best run-stopper, DT Anthony McFarland.
Steelers linebacker James Farrior is out with a shoulder injury.
Melissa Stark is Monday Night Football's sideline reporter and a regular contributor to ABC Sports Online.
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