By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Monday, November 14, 2011

TAMPA — You recognize the 6-foot-6 player under center, the curly hair squeezing from underneath the helmet. The strong right arm and No. 5 on his back are dead giveaways.

But Josh Freeman isn’t the same quarterback as he was last season.

Needless to say, the Bucs aren’t the same team, either.

Freeman was intercepted three more times Sunday — one deflecting off the hands of Kellen Winslow, one deflecting off the hands of Arrelious Benn — in the Bucs’ 37-9 loss to the Texans before 56,037 at Raymond James Stadium.

“Nothing is wrong with me,” Freeman said. “I feel like I’m a better quarterback this year than I was last year. As crazy as that might sound looking at the numbers, I feel like I continue to get better with my preparation and execution. I feel like I’m throwing the ball as well as I ever have. Things just aren’t going my way.”

For the ninth time in nine games this season, Tampa Bay failed to score an offensive touchdown during the first quarter.

It trailed 16-3 at halftime and 30-3 to start the fourth.

By losing their third straight game and fourth of the past five, the Bucs (4-5) are closer to the cellar in the NFC South (two games ahead of Carolina) than first place (2½ games behind New Orleans).

In the third quarter, when the game was still within reach, Freeman went 1-for-5 for zero yards, was sacked three times and intercepted twice.

A year after throwing 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions, Freeman has nine and 13, respectively. His 72.1 passer rating is 23.8 points lower than where he finished 2010.

It might be as simple as this: Freeman doesn’t get to face the Bucs defense.

It took only 12 seconds for the Texans (7-3) to make Freeman play catch-up.

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, the Bucs defenders bit hard on a play-action fake to running back Arian Foster before Matt Schaub connected with Jacoby Jones. Jones caught the ball at the Bucs 47, evaded safeties Tanard Jackson and Sean Jones and ran toward the end zone for an 80-yard touchdown.

The Bucs’ poor tackling also accounted for the Texans’ second touchdown. Foster caught a short pass from Schaub in the left flat and sidestepped matador tackle attempts by Jones and cornerback Aqib Talib on his way to a 78-yard touchdown.

After watching his team be outscored 136-46 in its past four losses, coach Raheem Morris tried to shoulder the blame.

“I refuse to believe that our guys are that bad,” he said, “so it has to be my fault.”

For the game, the Bucs were outgained 420-231 (185-90 on the ground) and held the ball 10:12 less than the Texans. Despite claiming defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (five tackles, blocked extra point) off waivers from New England on Wednesday, Tampa Bay couldn’t slow Foster (17 rushes, 84 yards, one touchdown) or Ben Tate (13 carries, 63 yards, one touchdown).

Oh, and Houston played without the injured Andre Johnson, one of the league’s top receivers.

Unable to shake the Bucs from their doldrums, Morris said he would change the practice routine this week and hinted at more padded workouts in preparation for Sunday’s game at Green Bay against the defending Super Bowl champions.

“The last few weeks have been tough,” Morris said. “The guys right now are not playing well, and we’ve got to find a way to get better.

“You’ve got to go out and get your pads on because we’re not making plays in pads.”

Despite playing with a bandage on the right thumb of his throwing hand (which he sprained three weeks ago against Chicago), Freeman said it had no effect on his performance. He finished 15-of-35 for 170 yards, was sacked four times, intercepted three times and finished with a passer rating of 31.8.

In fact, 14 Texans points came after interceptions.

“They’re a really good defense. They came as advertised,” Freeman said of the Texans, who entered with the NFL’s top-ranked unit and maintained the ranking. “They generated some pass rush and really didn’t allow us to get into any offensive rhythm.

“It’s just that we have not played nearly up to our potential. We are a young team. And as a young team, you have to understand this is the NFL. You see some success, and you can’t rest on that.”

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

Brother of Bucs receiver shot near Illinois campus

Illinois linebacker Trulon Henry, the older brother of Bucs receiver Arrelious Benn, was shot above the right wrist, the bullet exiting through his ring finger, rupturing an artery and breaking bones, as he tried to get teammates to leave a large house party near campus early Sunday. Henry, a 27-year-old senior who is married and has a daughter, had surgery Sunday and will miss at least the rest of the regular season.

“I was only there for three minutes,” he said. “I was trying to get everyone in the car. (Someone) started shooting. It’s crazy.”

Urbana police said two others, neither Illinois students, were wounded. Coach Ron Zook said Henry went to the party to clear out his teammates after a player called to tell him a fight had broken out. Police were searching for the shooter. Benn also played at Illinois.

Times wires

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Times staff

In Print: Monday, October 17, 2011

7-3

20-10

23-13

26-20

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By: SportsDirect

Times staff

In Print: Monday, October 10, 2011

7-3

24-3

34-3

48-3

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bucs Report

Times staff

In Print: Sunday, September 25, 2011

Bucs vs. Falcons

4:15 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Radio: 620-AM, 103.5 FM

Line/over-under: Bucs by 11/2; 451/2

The poll

Which was the biggest play in the Bucs’ 24-20 victory against the Vikings last week?

52 percent: LeGarrette Blount’s 27-yard touchdown run

18 percent: Preston Parker’s 6-yard reception on third and 4

13 percent: Dez Briscoe’s 19-yard catch (plus 15-yard roughing the passer penalty)

9 percent: LeGarrette Blount’s winning 4-yard touchdown run

8 percent: Arrelious Benn’s 25-yard touchdown reception

Total: 458 votes

By the numbers

0-4 Bucs’ record against the Falcons since Raheem Morris took over as coach

5.8 Bucs’ average margin of loss in the four games

74.0 QB rating of the Bucs’ Josh Freeman in his four games (all losses) against Atlanta

65.9 QB rating of the Falcons’ Matt Ryan against the Bucs, his worst against any team; still, he is 5-1 against them

0 Bucs sacks of Ryan in the past two meetings

What they’re saying

For Tampa Bay, the challenge of stopping Matt Ryan and Michael Turner and Roddy White and … (deep breath) … Tony Gonzalez and Julio Jones and Harry Douglas and all the rest will be formidable enough given the Buccaneers will go into the game with a defense ranked 28th in the league, including 31st against the run at 156 yards per game. They better control the ball — and the clock — and get LeGarrette Blount involved often.

Chris Harry Sports Illustrated

This was a great win on the road, particularly coming from 17 down, but Josh Freeman and the Bucs need to get going earlier in the game. That said, he may be the best fourth-quarter QB in the game. The Bucs will take this momentum into their divisional matchup with Atlanta.

Brian Billick, Fox Sports

The picks

Terrific comeback last week for Josh Freeman. There’s something about this kid that’s impossible not to like. It won’t surprise me at all if, in 10 years, we look at the careers of the two quarterbacks in this game and say Freeman’s been a better pro than Matt Ryan. And believe me, that’s not meant to be a knock on Ryan. It’s how strongly I feel about Freeman. Bucs, 20-16.

Peter King Sports Illustrated

This is the first division game for both. The Falcons haven’t been as good on defense as they expected. The Bucs haven’t been as good on offense. I look for a physical game with a lot of Michael Turner. The Bucs have speed issues on offense, which will show up against the Falcons. Look for a big game by the Atlanta running game. Falcons, 23-17.

Pete Prisco CBS Sportsline

Both offenses look to be hitting their stride. The Falcons get the edge on the road because of the sharpness of Matt Ryan, who has won his last five starts against Tampa Bay. Falcons, 28-24.

Sam Farmer Los Angeles Times

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Friday, September 23, 2011

Mike Williams

TAMPA — Mike Williams doesn’t need the praise of his opponents to confirm he has built a reputation among NFL defensive coordinators.

That fact is obvious each time the Bucs’ second-year receiver tries to escape the two defenders that often shadow him. In a weird way, that’s a compliment for a receiver.

After putting together a record-setting debut season in 2010, with a franchise rookie-record 11 touchdowns, stopping Williams is high on an opponent’s list of priorities. The result, on Sunday against the Vikings, was Williams finishing with one catch for minus-4 yards.

“When (defenses) go to Cover 2, the corner, instead of dropping down into his zone, he’s following me,” Williams said. “So, it’s like (there’s) a safety over the top and the corner’s coming, too. Even the ball that I did catch, I got hit by the safety, too. It’s always two defenders where I’m at. I just have to adjust to it. Hopefully we keep getting wins and whatever happens, happens.”

The Bucs did win Sunday in spite of their featured receiver’s lack of big numbers. That’s because, even without the ball in his hands, Williams is having an appreciable impact.

For instance, because Williams drew two defenders, other targets were available to quarterback Josh Freeman. Slot receiver Preston Parker had six catches for 98 yards. Tight end Kellen Winslow and flanker Arrelious Benn become threats in single coverage, too.

“I’ve been saying for two years that we have a good receiving corps,” said Williams, who had a 17-yard touchdown against the Vikings negated by a penalty. “If they double one guy, another guy is going to step up.”

That said, the Bucs aren’t the same team without Williams getting sufficient opportunities. He’s too big a part of their offense, catching 65 passes for 964 yards in 2010.

So, offensive coordinator Greg Olson is looking at a number of things to keep defenses guessing, because the Bucs expect other teams to follow the Vikings’ blueprint.

Among the options: putting Williams in presnap motion or lining him up in various spots at different times. Also, according to Olson, the plan is to keep Williams and Winslow on opposite sides of the field, thereby forcing the defense to make difficult choices. On Williams’ called-back touchdown, for example, the Vikings had opted to double cover Winslow, Olson said.

The coverages, and the Bucs’ approach, will vary from week to week.

“Some (teams) are going to challenge Mike (with single coverage), and it’s going to be up to him to win,” coach Raheem Morris said. “Some people are going to try to contain Mike, and then you have to try to move him around to different spots on the field. … It’s about getting him open, getting him more space and more opportunities.

“Then, at the same time, you might sometimes want to put him in one spot, let other guys do what they have to do and let the system work.”

Then there’s always going to be the occasional jump ball that Williams and Freeman combined on so often last season. Williams is adamant he can come down with a majority of them, even against two defenders.

“I feel like I’m going to be 90 percent on opportunity balls,” Williams said. “I tell Josh to go ahead and put it up. Throw right over his head, and I’ll go up and get it.”

And Williams is having an effect in the running game by throwing downfield blocks. One helped pave a path for LeGarrette Blount’s momentum-shifting, third-quarter touchdown against Minnesota.

Asked about it, Williams’ face lights up. The satisfaction almost makes up for the lack of catches … almost.

“It’s only frustrating when you lose,” he said. “When you get a win, it’s like, ‘Hey, whatever. I blocked great in the running game, so I’ll put that in my stats.’ That’s my personal high this week, getting those corners and safeties out of there.”

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Saturday, September 17, 2011

Bucs receiver Mike Williams catches a 47-yard touchdown from Josh Freeman off a play-action last season against the Cardinals.
	[DANIEL WALLACE | Times (2010)]

TAMPA — Bucs receiver Mike Williams made his share of big plays last season, but few were as effortless as his 47-yard touchdown catch against the Cardinals.

Williams streaked past single coverage and caught a tight spiral from quarterback Josh Freeman, crossing the goal line before he was touched.

It was the sort of play the Bucs have promised but didn’t deliver in Sunday’s season-opening loss to Detroit, when they had just one play longer than 20 yards.

But coaches and players insist big plays will come. And they’ll likely be a result of the very thing that let Williams score that easy touchdown in Arizona: play-action passes.

Every team uses it to varying degrees, but for Tampa Bay, the tactic is a basic tenet.

“That’s kind of our formula,” coach Raheem Morris said. “If you’re trying to get the formula for our offense, we want to run the football and be able to have some hard play action and throw the ball down the field and be able to get the ball in our playmakers’ hands.”

The Bucs have said all week they intend to get back to their offensive identity Sunday against the Vikings. For all the talent the Bucs have at receiver, they know those players can’t be as effective without consistent play action.

Play action, which involves a fake handoff to the running back and a “hard sell” by other players, can impact a defense in many negative ways.

“You see (defensive backs) jumping out of their coverage to go jump the run,” Williams said. “You end up, sometimes, with some wide-open routes. With play action, you have to have a good running game. You have to have (defenders) thinking, ‘I have to go down there and help.’ You see them jump and then you’re wide open. That’s what I love.”

But for play action to work, everything must come together. And there are many moving parts.

In a perfect world, here’s how it all works:

First, the running game has to be consistent and successful. Last season, LeGarrette Blount was the best thing to happen to the team’s play-action passing game. His battering-ram style required multiple defenders to make tackles, and often those extra defenders came from the secondary.

Once the running game is established, safeties begin to play closer to the line of scrimmage to support the front seven.

It’s pretty obvious when the running game is clicking, receiver Dez Briscoe said. “They start loading the box and you start to see the safety biting.”

When that happens, it falls on the receivers to take them out. Williams and Arrelious Benn are very skilled and willing blockers, a key element of the play action.

“When they’re out there taking out safeties, the safeties start looking at them because they don’t want to get hit,” receivers coach Eric Yarber said. “And they’re also looking for the run coming their way, too.

“Really, we’re setting them up.”

If the receivers prevent safeties from chipping in on run support, then it falls to the cornerbacks to help. All the while, coaches in the skybox watch the sequence and keep offensive coordinator Greg Olson abreast. When the time is right, he’ll dial up a play-action shot down the field.

“They’re watching, and they’re waiting (to use) that hard-sell play action,” Yarber said. “Once we go play action, Mike will come in and act like he’s going to hit the safety, but then he’ll go (run) a route. That’s why we call it hard-sell play action.”

If it all comes together, you get the result Williams got on that touchdown against Arizona: no safety and a cornerback trailing the play. All the ingredients were there that day. Blount ran for 120 yards, breaking numerous tackles. On Williams’ touchdown, Freeman used a fake handoff to Blount that, if only for a milli­second, froze the defense.

“When the quarterback sees dead feet, he’s going deep,” Briscoe said. “What I was always told is, when you’re even, you’re leaving.”

Without play action, however, the Bucs’ passing game won’t go anywhere.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com.

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By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist

In Print: Monday, September 12, 2011

Lions cornerback Chris Houston intercepts a pass intended for Arrelious Benn during the second quarter. The Bucs scored one offensive touchdown, with 1:35 left in the game.
	[DANIEL WALLACE | Times]

TAMPA

Do not be fooled by the scoreboard, where things were prettied up by the end.

Do not be tricked by the final statistics, which urge you to think that maybe this loss wasn’t that bad.

Do not be swindled by the wackiness of the final play, which suggests that the Bucs were closer to victory than they were.

This was ugly, and this was lopsided and this was a disappointing way to start a football season. For most of the afternoon, it was like watching an opponent stuff Tampa Bay’s hope into a pinata, hoist it up the crossbar and then spend 60 minutes whacking at it. Whatever you thought of the Bucs’ prospects before this game, it is doubtful you feel the same resolve about it today.

Detroit 27, Tampa Bay 20. And anyone who says this was a close competition is trying to sell you a ticket.

That’s the disappointment here. It was not so much that the Bucs lost because as the losers in Week 1 always remind us, half of the teams in the NFL start 0-1. For the Bucs, the bigger jolt is the manner in which it happened. They didn’t tackle, they didn’t block, they didn’t show a lot of imagination.

In particular, they didn’t show enough offense.

After all, that was supposed to be the hope around here, wasn’t it? Despite an unimpressive preseason, the great equalizer was supposed to be Josh Franchise and the boys, flinging it around, dancing in the end zone, making the opposing defense play chase all over the field.

Instead, you may sum up the Bucs’ opening statement this way:

Clunk.

Also, plop.

And furthermore, thud.

Look, you knew the game was blacked out. You didn’t think the offensive game plan was going to be, too.

For most of the day, the Bucs were a misfiring engine, spewing and sputtering and spinning its wheels. They looked slow, they looked out of synch, and they looked as if short yardage was a long distance call.

Remember how dangerous the Bucs looked last year when Freeman, Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blount were charging down the field? Well, they didn’t look like that Sunday. For most of the day, they looked like stalled traffic.

“I didn’t feel like we were in rhythm all day long,” said center Jeff Faine.

“We weren’t us today,” said tight end Kellen Winslow.

Consider:

• In the first quarter, the Bucs gained all of 4 yards. Even that total was inflated when, on the final play of the quarter, Freeman hit Earnest Graham for a 3-yard pass on third and 10.

• You could say the Lions stopped Blount, but the Bucs helped. Blount, fresh off of his 1,000-yard season, was a spectator for most of the second half. He had five carries all afternoon, gaining 15 yards, because the Bucs spent much of the second half in the two-minute offense. Why they cannot incorporate one of their best players into their offense remains a mystery.

• The Bucs scored one offensive touchdown all afternoon, and that came with 1:35 left in the game.

• The Bucs started their day offensively on the Lions 21-yard line. Four plays later, they had moved all the way to the 20, a full 36 inches. They kicked a field goal.

• Their running backs combined for 28 yards on 11 carries. Whee.

• Early in the second half, the Bucs ran on second and one. They didn’t make it. They ran it again on third and one. They didn’t make it.

• Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Bucs went for it on fourth and one at the Detroit 11. They didn’t make it.

• As Freeman pointed out, the Bucs didn’t get the ball enough. On the other hand, they didn’t keep it enough. They had 11 offensive possessions. In six of them, they failed to get a first down.

It’s hard to blame the Bucs for trying to put the best possible spin on the disappointment. Hey, you lay an egg, you talk about how great omelettes are, you know. No one expects Tampa Bay to surrender.

But this wasn’t a matter of running out of time. This was a matter of running in place.

Here’s a number for you. The Bucs ended up with 313 yards. That doesn’t sound that bad, does it? On the other hand, more than a third came on drives when Detroit had a two-score lead. The Bucs went 67 yards for a field goal when Detroit led 20-10, and they went 59 when Detroit was ahead 27-13. It is fair to wonder how much softer the Lions’ secondary might have been playing.

If this season is going to be successful, if the Bucs are going to be contenders, they cannot play this way. They need a little more imagination. They need a little more explosion. A first down in a first quarter shouldn’t be too much to ask. Nor should a second touchdown.

Granted, it was only one loss. You are going to hear that a few dozen times this week. And it’s true. A bad day doesn’t always mean a bad season is going to follow.

On the other hand, it’s hard to see the Bucs as a team on the move as long as the offense is standing still.

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By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist

In Print: Monday, September 12, 2011

Lions cornerback Chris Houston intercepts a pass intended for Arrelious Benn during the second quarter. The Bucs scored one offensive touchdown, with 1:35 left in the game.
	[DANIEL WALLACE | Times]

TAMPA

Do not be fooled by the scoreboard, where things were prettied up by the end.

Do not be tricked by the final statistics, which urge you to think that maybe this loss wasn’t that bad.

Do not be swindled by the wackiness of the final play, which suggests that the Bucs were closer to victory than they were.

This was ugly, and this was lopsided and this was a disappointing way to start a football season. For most of the afternoon, it was like watching an opponent stuff Tampa Bay’s hope into a pinata, hoist it up the crossbar and then spend 60 minutes whacking at it. Whatever you thought of the Bucs’ prospects before this game, it is doubtful you feel the same resolve about it today.

Detroit 27, Tampa Bay 20. And anyone who says this was a close competition is trying to sell you a ticket.

That’s the disappointment here. It was not so much that the Bucs lost because as the losers in Week 1 always remind us, half of the teams in the NFL start 0-1. For the Bucs, the bigger jolt is the manner in which it happened. They didn’t tackle, they didn’t block, they didn’t show a lot of imagination.

In particular, they didn’t show enough offense.

After all, that was supposed to be the hope around here, wasn’t it? Despite an unimpressive preseason, the great equalizer was supposed to be Josh Franchise and the boys, flinging it around, dancing in the end zone, making the opposing defense play chase all over the field.

Instead, you may sum up the Bucs’ opening statement this way:

Clunk.

Also, plop.

And furthermore, thud.

Look, you knew the game was blacked out. You didn’t think the offensive game plan was going to be, too.

For most of the day, the Bucs were a misfiring engine, spewing and sputtering and spinning its wheels. They looked slow, they looked out of synch, and they looked as if short yardage was a long distance call.

Remember how dangerous the Bucs looked last year when Freeman, Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blount were charging down the field? Well, they didn’t look like that Sunday. For most of the day, they looked like stalled traffic.

“I didn’t feel like we were in rhythm all day long,” said center Jeff Faine.

“We weren’t us today,” said tight end Kellen Winslow.

Consider:

• In the first quarter, the Bucs gained all of 4 yards. Even that total was inflated when, on the final play of the quarter, Freeman hit Earnest Graham for a 3-yard pass on third and 10.

• You could say the Lions stopped Blount, but the Bucs helped. Blount, fresh off of his 1,000-yard season, was a spectator for most of the second half. He had five carries all afternoon, gaining 15 yards, because the Bucs spent much of the second half in the two-minute offense. Why they cannot incorporate one of their best players into their offense remains a mystery.

• The Bucs scored one offensive touchdown all afternoon, and that came with 1:35 left in the game.

• The Bucs started their day offensively on the Lions 21-yard line. Four plays later, they had moved all the way to the 20, a full 36 inches. They kicked a field goal.

• Their running backs combined for 28 yards on 11 carries. Whee.

• Early in the second half, the Bucs ran on second and one. They didn’t make it. They ran it again on third and one. They didn’t make it.

• Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Bucs went for it on fourth and one at the Detroit 11. They didn’t make it.

• As Freeman pointed out, the Bucs didn’t get the ball enough. On the other hand, they didn’t keep it enough. They had 11 offensive possessions. In six of them, they failed to get a first down.

It’s hard to blame the Bucs for trying to put the best possible spin on the disappointment. Hey, you lay an egg, you talk about how great omelettes are, you know. No one expects Tampa Bay to surrender.

But this wasn’t a matter of running out of time. This was a matter of running in place.

Here’s a number for you. The Bucs ended up with 313 yards. That doesn’t sound that bad, does it? On the other hand, more than a third came on drives when Detroit had a two-score lead. The Bucs went 67 yards for a field goal when Detroit led 20-10, and they went 59 when Detroit was ahead 27-13. It is fair to wonder how much softer the Lions’ secondary might have been playing.

If this season is going to be successful, if the Bucs are going to be contenders, they cannot play this way. They need a little more imagination. They need a little more explosion. A first down in a first quarter shouldn’t be too much to ask. Nor should a second touchdown.

Granted, it was only one loss. You are going to hear that a few dozen times this week. And it’s true. A bad day doesn’t always mean a bad season is going to follow.

On the other hand, it’s hard to see the Bucs as a team on the move as long as the offense is standing still.

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TAMPA, – Quarterback Josh Freeman declared the young Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-team offence is ready.

“It really is practice. You want to get tuned up and ready for the regular season,” said Freeman, who will not play in Thursday’s pre-season finale at Washington. “You want to work on your base stuff, get the offence gelling together. As far as what the pre-season is for, we got that accomplished.”

The discomfort and apprehension the 23-year-old quarterback took into last season, after breaking his thumb in the pre-season opener, is gone.

“I feel a lot more prepared,” he said. “Last year at this time I could barely even grip a football. It was definitely a nervous time, very anxious going into that first game. This year everybody’s healthy, everybody’s ready to rock and roll.”

Freeman finished his pre-season with 26 completions in 46 attempts for 255 yards after missing several open receivers in Saturday night’s 17-13 win over Miami.

“Obviously, with more playing time you’re going to hit some of those throws you might have missed in the Dolphins game,” he said. “With reps, everything continues to get better. I’m really excited about where we’re at.”

Starting his third NFL season, the 23-year-old Freeman is working with several skill-position players that are even less experienced. Starting wide receivers Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn were rookies a year ago, and 1,007-yard rusher LaGarrette Blount didn’t sign with the Bucs until Sept. 6.

“Last year (at this time) Free didn’t throw a ball in the pre-season and LaGarrette Blount was a Titan,” noted coach Raheem Morris.

Blount’s pre-season numbers are even more pedestrian than those of Freeman, and the Bucs have yet to show any resemblance to the rushing attack that finished eighth in the NFL. Backup quarterback Josh Johnson is Tampa Bay’s leading rusher through three pre-season games.

“I’m not really worried about it,” Freeman said. “It’s a matter of getting LaGarrette cranked up, and the pre-season is tough because you only get a couple drives and you have to make the most of ‘em.” Veteran centre Jeff Faine said he felt progress.

“We put a couple long drives together. It wasn’t exactly what we wanted, but I think it’s going in the right direction,” he said. “I don’t know how much we can tell by the pre-season, but I think it’s on track.” Freeman wrapped up his exhibition season with a long touchdown drive just before halftime Saturday night.

“Those are the things I really look for in the pre-season,” Morris said. “Some teams can do that. That’s the beauty of having Drew Brees and Tom Brady; those guys can wake up and go 15-for-15 for 132 yards and have a 110 quarterback rating and everything looks great. Free’s working his way there and he’ll be there soon enough.”

Notes: The Bucs cut their roster to 80, releasing cornerback Ashton Youboty and waiving nine players — wide receivers Aundray Allison, Jock Sanders and Detron Lewis, cornerback Vince Anderson, tight end Collin Franklin, defensive end Brandon Gilbeaux, fullback Rendrick Taylor punter Robert Malone and guard Brandon Carter. Carter was waived/injured.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Monday, August 29, 2011

TAMPA — For Bucs receiver Arrelious Benn, Saturday’s preseason game against the Dolphins couldn’t kick off soon enough.

It might have looked and felt like just another exhibition game to most. But for Benn, the game marked the conclusion of nearly nine frustrating months of waiting and hoping.

After a December knee injury that involved a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Benn finally made his return to action Saturday.

“I was real anxious,” Benn said after the 17-13 victory. “I had to calm myself down. (Receivers) coach (Eric) Yarber did a great job of calming me down. I just went out there to fly around and have some fun. I couldn’t wait to get hit.”

And if you didn’t know about Benn’s injury and subsequent surgery, nothing in his play Saturday would have offered a hint.

Benn started and caught one pass for 12 yards and rushed 11 yards on an end-around, a play the Bucs believe he is ideally suited for. But more important, he didn’t feel any effects from the injury. Benn has been far along in his recovery since June, when he began running routes with quarterback Josh Freeman in player-organized workouts during the lockout.

But the knee hadn’t been tested to the extent it would in game action. The results affirmed exactly what Benn was hoping for.

“I actually forget about my knee until somebody asks me how my knee feels,” he said. “It feels good. I felt like I didn’t even get hurt.”

Now, it’s a matter of Benn again finding his place in the offense. When he went down in Week 16 against Seattle, Benn had recently carved out a prominent role for himself. While Mike Williams is the split end, the outside receiver who gets the majority of the deep balls, Benn, the flanker, has proved he is adept at turning short passes into long gains. And he also showed an ability to get vertical with receptions of 53 and 64 yards.

Benn’s snaps on Saturday came at the expense of the emerging Dezmon Briscoe, who has shined during training camp and the preseason. It’s expected he will have a package of plays as coaches attempt to involve him, but Benn’s unique talents are something the Bucs are intent on taking advantage of, too.

“He’s a guy who has a lot of burst for us,” coach Raheem Morris said. “He provides a lot of spark. He’s a physical guy. He’s going to catch that one pass and knock some tacklers off of him, shed some tackles. He’s exciting. We’re going to try to look at that every week, if we can.

“If we can get some explosive plays from Arrelious Benn, and the consistent play we’ve been getting from all the other guys, we’re really going to love that.”

An important key for Benn is his current grasp of the offense compared with this time last year. The second-round pick struggled to learn his duties as a rookie, largely because of the volume of information flankers are required to know. Also a factor was the sharp contrast between the Bucs offense and that of the University of Illinois, where he played in college.

Because of his understanding of the offense, Benn is playing more naturally and less mechanically, he said.

“I felt totally different than last year,” he said. “Now I understand the game. Last year was just a learning process for me.”

Even so, Benn managed 25 receptions for 395 yards despite playing only sparingly for the first quarter of the 2010 season. Those totals were good enough to rank fourth and third, respectively, on the team.

What can Benn do this season? That will become clearer when the regular season begins in two weeks. But whatever impact he ends up having, Benn is adamant his knee injury won’t be factor.

“I’ve taken it one day at a time, even one practice at a time,” he said. “All that’s out the window for me. I got hurt but that was last year. If you’re going by what happened last year, then that’s on you. It’s a new year.”

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bucs Report

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Sunday, August 28, 2011

Running back LeGarrette Blount evades Miami cornerback Sean Smith on his way to a 52-yard catch during the first quarter.
	[DANIEL WALLACE | Times]

TAMPA — The Bucs’ LeGarrette Blount worked a lot this offseason on becoming a more well-rounded running back, including improving his pass-catching.

Though Blount rushed for 1,007 yards as a rookie last season, he had just five receptions for 14 yards.

The Bucs gave Blount a chance Saturday against the Dolphins. QB Josh Freeman targeted him five times, and Blount made three catches for a team-high 62 yards, including a 52-yarder in the first quarter on a checkdown pass.

“A lot of teams don’t respect the fact that I can actually go out and catch a pass,” Blount said. “So when I do it, it opens up a lot of things for me and for our team.”

On the 52-yarder, Blount caught the ball near the right hash, scampered up the sideline and cut back to avoid a defender before getting hauled down at the Miami 29.

“I was thinking touchdown,” Blount said. “That’s the only thing on my mind: Get a touchdown by any means necessary.”

He didn’t have as good a day rushing, with five carries for 10 yards.

ON THE MEND: TE Kellen Winslow, making his preseason debut, left early in the second quarter with an ankle injury. He likely would have returned if it had been a regular-season game.

“No big deal,” Winslow said.

Winslow made a third-down catch for 6 yards near the right sideline then limped off the field.

The Bucs held Winslow out of the first two games as a precaution, wanting to make sure his chronically sore right knee made it to Week 1 of the regular season.

WELCOME BACK: WR Arrelious Benn, making his preseason debut after offseason left knee surgery, showed no ill effects, including picking up 11 yards on a reverse late in the first quarter.

Benn, who started, made one catch for 12 yards.

“It feels good just being out there with the guys, being in my place and doing anything I can to help the offense and get us to win games and all those little things to help the team,” Benn said.

DT Brian Price (pelvis) also made his preseason debut.

LEE LOSES IT: James Lee, who is competing with Jeremy Trueblood for the starting right tackle job, had a rough night. It included picking up a 15-yard personal foul for his role in a scuffle with Dolphins LB Jason Taylor. It was one of three penalties called on Lee in one series; the others were for illegal formation and false start.

HOT CORNER: With CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) out again, CB E.J. Biggers and CB Myron Lewis (making his preseason debut) took turns covering Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall.

Each drew a pass interference penalty. Marshall beat Biggers for a 60-yard touchdown on the Dolphins’ first possession with a stutter-and-go route along the right sideline, racing 30 yards after the catch.

“I just got to finish,” Biggers said.

Biggers would finish when he forced a Marshall fumble late in the second quarter. After Marshall caught the ball in the right flat, he broke a Biggers tackle and ran upfield. But Biggers chased him from behind and knocked the ball loose. LB Geno Hayes recovered.

“You can never give up on a play, no matter what.” Biggers said. “You fall on the ground, you’ve got to get up like it’s hot.”

FLAG OF DAY: The Bucs received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the Dolphins’ first touchdown because coaches challenged the call. Under new rules, all scoring plays are automatically reviewed.

Miscellany: S Ahmad Black (ankle) and DT Roy Miller (knee) also were inactive. … P/K Michael Koenen had another strong game, averaging 40.2 yards per punt. … TE Nathan Overbay kept the ball from his winning touchdown in the fourth quarter: “Hopefully, I get more, but one is good to start with.”

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Posted: Aug 23, 2011 02:38 PM

It appears the wait is over for Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Arrelious Benn.

Coaches have been cautious with Benn during training camp and the preseason, considering he’s coming off offseason left knee surgery. But Benn said he’s ready for his first exhibition action, Saturday night against the Dolphins.

“I don’t anticipate to do anything out of the normal,” Benn said. “Just follow my game plan and do what I need to do.”

Benn has impressed with his rapid recovery from the injury, with receivers coach Eric Yarber calling him a “medical marvel,” not being able to tell which leg was hurt by the way he ran. But he’s sit out the first two preseason games, with Dezmon Briscoe getting the starts opposite of WR Mike Williams.

Williams saying he’s excited to see the starting offense finally together, specfically the receivers.

“If we’re all out there, and we’re rotating together, nobody can stop us,” Williams said. “To see the whole offense together, and Regis back, it’s going to be good to see that.”

Both Williams and Briscoe say there’s been an emphasis in practice for the receivers to step up, considering they lost some one-on-one battles in a loss to the Patriots.

“We think we’re good where we’re at,” Williams said. “But it’s a week we got to go out and prove that we’re the receivers we say we are.”

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