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Run Defense To Get Another Test

Published: Oct 26, 2007

TAMPA - There has not been a week this season when the Bucs did not have to worry about stopping one of the top rushers in the NFL.

Tampa Bay has faced Shaun Alexander (Seattle), Deuce McAllister (New Orleans), Reggie Bush (New Orleans), Steven Jackson (St. Louis), DeShaun Foster (Carolina), LenDale White (Tennessee) and Kevin Jones (Detroit) so far.

It does not get any easier Sunday when the Bucs host the Jacksonville Jaguars, who feature RB Maurice Jones-Drew as the leader of the NFL's third-ranked rushing offense. Drew has rushed 67 times for 359 yards and four touchdowns this season. In addition to Jones-Drew, Jacksonville also has Fred Taylor, who has rushed 72 times for 352 yards.

"Fred Taylor's still got it. I don't know how many operations he's had, but he can still run the ball better than anybody in the NFL," Bucs DT Chris Hovan said. "Maurice is just a little bowling ball. He just finds the lane, gets there and goes. We're going to have to be ready for a very physical offensive line and a great running attack."

Tampa Bay's defense is 21st against the run, giving up an average of 123.3 yards per game.

Alexander (105), Jackson (115) and Indianapolis RB Kenton Keith (121) rushed for more than 100 yards against Tampa Bay this season. With QB Quinn Gray starting in place of David Garrard, Jacksonville probably will rely heavily on its running game against the Bucs.

"Like they do against most teams, they are going to try and run the ball because they have two great backs, not just good backs, great backs and a good O-line, too," Bucs MLB Barrett Ruud said. "That is what we have to stop first like always. Stop the run and then we have to try and get pressure on the quarterback."

HILLIARD IN PERSPECTIVE: If it seems like Bucs WR Ike Hilliard is having a great year, well, he is.

Hilliard has 36 receptions for 455 yards and one touchdown after seven games. He already has more receiving yards than in four of his last five seasons.

"Coach [Jon Gruden] has a good game plan. I'm fortunate to be a starter this year and get more plays and looks. Coach Richard Mann [receivers] doesn't get enough credit and this is my third year in the system, so I'm comfortable with what I'm doing," Hilliard said. "Joey [Galloway] demands so much attention, it's easy for me to get clean looks."

CLAYTON RECOVERING WELL: Bucs WR Michael Clayton used masking tape to attach an iPod to his shoulder on Thursday, but outside of that, he looked normal after suffering an ankle injury Sunday.

Clayton said he should play again after the bye week (Nov. 11), but he is trying to recover in time for Sunday's game.

"I've been through a world of injuries and I know how to deal with it," Clayton said. "My body recuperates well with the series of injuries I've had. I think timing-wise, the injury recovery will be very rapid."

Besides Clayton, Gruden said TE Alex Smith (ankle) and CB Brian Kelly (groin) did not practice Thursday.

COACH OF THE WEEK: Jefferson High School coach Michael Fenton has been named the Buccaneers' seventh Coach of the Week this season.

Gruden presented Fenton with a commemorative certificate and personalized football after the morning practice. Fenton, Jefferson athletic director Bob Morgan and student-athletes Max Holloway, Gorby Loreus and Troy Wolfe were in attendance as the coach received $1,000 for his high school football program.

Anwar S. Richardson