Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Carolina 10 at Tampa Bay 23 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Carolina Panthers: This team was all about defense today. They stayed in the game for almost 4 quarters with solid defensive play (2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles). Their offense was bland and ineffective. QB Rodney Peete played with the middle finger on his throwing hand taped, and his accuracy seemed to suffer; resulting in 3 interceptions on the day. With Peete playing sub par ball, the rest of the skilled position players suffered as well. Muhsin Muhammad led receivers with 59 yards, and Lamar Smith led rushers with 46 yards. Steve Smith did manage to catch a TD. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The defense was dominant once again piling up 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and a forced fumble. QB Brad Johnson spread the ball around well, hitting 7 different receivers on his way to 253 yards and 2 TDs, without throwing a pick. Keyshawn Johnson was his favorite target, hauling in 7 balls for 74 yards and a TD. RB Michael Pittman was Jon Gruden's flavor of the week at running back; amassing 57 yards on 21 carries. He ran hard, but never seemed to make anyone miss. He just runs into defenders like a battering ram. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Carolina Panthers QB: Rodney Peete - did not look good today. His middle finger on his throwing hand was taped (torn flexor tendon) and that may have affected his accuracy. He threw 3 interceptions and missed open receivers throughout the afternoon. He finished 22/38, with 205 yards, 1 td, and 3 interceptions. RB: Lamar Smith - was his usual self today, picking and choosing his way to patient gains on the ground. He has good vision, but lacks the speed required to break the big runs. He only got 15 rushes, which isn't even close to the number he needs to put up numbers that could help your fantasy squad. He had 46 yards on the ground and another 4 on 1 reception. Dee Brown - looked pretty quick when he was given the chance. He had 4 runs for 17 yards, and 6 catches for 44 yards. WR: Muhsin Muhammad - Was open on a few occasions for nice gains, but Rodney Peete was off target. He finished with 3 catches for 59 yards, and he looked healthy. Steve Smith - Had 4 catches for 30 yards and a TD. The 20 yard TD was a very nice leaping grab. TE: Wesley Walls caught 2 balls for 21 yards. Age is catching up to the old man - he seems to get hurt on every other play. None of the injuries were serious. Pass Defense: For the most part, the Carolina secondary did a good job behind a front 7 that leads the league in sacks. There was the occasional breakdown though. For example, on one blown coverage, Keenan McCardell was left wide open and strolled into the end zone untouched for a 22 yard TD. Rush Defense: Mike Minter comes up often in run support, but the linebacking core and front four are quite good against the run on their own. The unit caused 3 fumbles on the afternoon. They only allowed 2.6 yards per rush, and no rushing TDs. They are excellent in short yardage situations. Special Teams: Shayne Graham went 1/2 , hitting for 42 and missing from 44. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB: Brad Johnson - is getting better and better with Jon Gruden's system. He spreads the ball around well and occasionally draws a comparison to Rich Gannon, but with less mobility. He has good pocket awareness and knows where all of his receivers should be. If he gets into trouble, he doesn't make stupid mistakes; he throws the ball away. He finished the day 22/40 with 253 yards and 2 TDs. RB: Michael Pittman - was Jon Gruden's running back of choice today getting 21 carries to Alstott's 2. Pittman hit the holes hard and ran with reckless abandon. Unfortunately, he didn't elude any tacklers, merely running into them like a battering ram. It isn't hard to see why Pittman is prone to concussions (he didn't suffer any today). He only managed 57 yards on the ground, and 21 through the air on 4 receptions. WR: Keyshawn Johnson - is also growing into Jon Gruden's system and being targeted more often than early in the season. He is seeing a lot of redzone looks, and caught a TD from the 1 yard line. He finished with 7 catches for 74 yards. Keenan McCardell - ran great routes and often got open. He had 4 catches for 56 yards and a TD, where he was wide open on a blown coverage. Joe Jurevicius - is a fine receiver in the Ed McCaffrey mould, but gets limited looks being number 3 on the depth chart. He made the most of his 2 catches with excellent runs after the catch finishing the afternoon with 48 yards. TE: Ricky Dudley - was the only Buccaneer tight end to catch a ball today. He took that reception for 21 yards. Pass Defense: The front four caused havoc all day long, sacking Rodney Peete 4 times. The secondary was excellent as well, with both Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly smothering Panther receivers. The secondary had 3 interceptions. Rush Defense: Warren Sapp and company are TOUGH against the run. The defensive line eats up a lot of runs in the backfield; but what they miss Derrick Brooks cleans up with 11 solo tackles on the afternoon. This unit allowed only 63 rushing yards all day, and no rushing TDs. Special Teams: Aaron Stecker is a pretty good kick return man and one of these days he's going to take one back for a TD, breaking Tampa's streak of no kickoff returns for TD. Martin Gramatica was perfect on the day, going 3/3.