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. Tampa Bay 20 at Atlanta 6 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The defensive line was dominant. Often rushing only four, the Bucs still pressured Atlanta QBs all day and knocked Michael Vick out of the game. Brad Johnson was efficient on the day, but not special. He finished the day with 261, 1 td and 1 int. He didn't go down the field at all, everything was short to intermediate. Keyshawn Johnson scored his first TD of the season on a play where he was single covered by cornerback Juran Bolden. It was a 76 yard TD. He finished the day with 6-131-1 TD. Tampa's leading rusher on the day was Michael Pittman and he was average at best. He shows good power, but no elusiveness or vision. He ran for 62 yards. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Vick was inaccurate and out of rhythm early and was eventually knocked out of the game on a Simeon Rice sack. He has an AC sprain in the shoulder and could miss week 6. Stay tuned. TJ Duckett was the superior running back today showing the speed, power, and quickness that made him a first round draft choice for the Falcons. He carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards while Warrick Dunn ran 9 times for 14 yards. Brian Finneran was the Falcons' leading receiver today which isn't a great feat. He caught 5 balls for 61 yards. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB: Brad Johnson - was very conservative on the day. He never threw the ball downfield. It was dump offs and intermediate patterns all game. It's a good thing he has a pretty quick release because he is as slow as molasses. He is not accurate when on the run; he missed open receivers a couple of times. He finished the day with 261, 1 TD and 1 INT. RB: Michael Pittman - has good power and leg drive but below average vision and agility. His longest run was 11 yards and he only averaged about 3 yards a rush. He's not as big a part of the passing game as he was in Arizona. On the day he had 62 yards on the ground and 9 yards on 2 receptions. Mike Alstott - got 4 carries for 9 yards. Jon Gruden has confidence in Alstott in the redzone, but he did not score on the day. WR: Keyshawn Johnson - scored his first TD of the season on a 76 yard pass play where he beat cornerback Juran Bolden. Johnson is still one of the best receivers in the league showing great body control, and route running. He often makes acrobatic catches. He was targeted on 2nd and goal from the 6, but pressure on Brad Johnson made him throw an inaccurate pass. He finished with 6-131-1 TD. Keenan McCardell - looked very fluid and comfortable in the Buc offense. Quick slants were Tampa's staple play and Brad Johnson looked to McCardell often. He caught 6 balls for 83 yards. TE: Tampa Bay tight ends were non existent on the day not catching one pass. Pass Defense: The Tampa Bay pass rush was fearsome. The front four is dominant and can apply a lot of pressure without blitzing. They sacked Atlanta QBs 4 times, but harassed them all day. Brian Kelly and Ronde Barber were excellent at corner, blanketing wide receivers from whistle to whistle. The Buc defense had 4 interceptions in the game. Rush Defense: The line is big and strong and the linebackers are fast. Its tough to run on this team; especially to the outside. A big back like Duckett has more of a chance against this team than a fast back like Warrick Dunn, who's speed is neutralized by the likes of Derrick Brooks. Special Teams: Martin Gramatica - Was 2/2 on the day and did not jump in the air when celebrating his field goals. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Atlanta Falcons QB: Michael Vick - looked rusty early in this game. He was inaccurate with his passes and his rhythm was off. This could have been a result of having a bye last week. This also could have been a result of the relentless Tampa pass rush throwing off his timing. He took a lot of hits in the game and was eventually knocked out with a sprained shoulder in his non throwing arm, which he suffered on a vicious blow by Simeon Rice. Doug Johnson - threw some nice passes early showing a good arm, nice accuracy and good pocket awareness. Then things fell apart for him, which was more a result of the Tampa defense than it was of poor play on his part. He finished with 150 yards and 3 interceptions without throwing a TD. RB: TJ Duckett - looked to be the most talented Falcon running back in the game. He not only runs with great power and agility, but shows nice vision and patience as well. He got the majority of the carries with 11 and amassed 52 yards, averaging almost 5 yards a carry. He added 34 yards on 3 receptions. Warrick Dunn was shut down. The fast Tampa linebackers neutralized his speed and he was often replaced by TJ Duckett. He finished with a paltry 14 yards on 9 carries and only had 2 receptions for 13 yards. WR: Brian Finneran - is sure handed but has difficulty with high balls, allowing a couple to go off his fingertips. He has good size and was the best Falcon receiver which isn't saying too much because he only caught 5 balls for 61 yards. Shawn Jefferson - looked like the crafty veteran receiver that he is when given the chance. He caught 2 for 32. Willie Jackson - was almost invisible catching one ball for 16 yards. TE: There aren't enough balls to go around for all the tight ends the Falcons want to use. Brian Kozlowski caught 2, Alge Crumpler and Reggie Kelly each caught 1. Nobody impressed. Pass Defense: They had 2 sacks on the day and pressured Brad Johnson often. They had 2 interceptions as well. This defense isn't scary, but they aren't bad. Rush Defense: Nice pursuit - Keith Brooking is a premier linebacker in the NFL. Special Teams: Alan Rossum is an excellent return man. He averaged 27.8 yards per return and his best effort was 47 yarder. Jay Feely went 2/3 on the day, missing badly from 46. He made a great play on an onside kick early in the game catching the Bucs by surprise.