Buccaneers’ Offense Locks Up When They Can’t Find the Key

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s time to go back to the drawing board--as in drawing up more plays for Keyshawn Johnson.

After acquiring him in the most talked-about move of the summer, they didn’t utilize him enough to change the static nature of their offense.

In the season-ending 21-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, he had six receptions for 106 yards, but most of the passes came after the Buccaneers had already fallen hopelessly (for them) behind by 18 points. He had only two catches for 24 yards in the first three quarters.

“Opportunity is the key,” Johnson said. “If you don’t get the opportunity, there’s nothing you can do.

“Hopefully in the off-season we’ll take a long look at what we do offensively.”

As it stands, the passing game consists of short passes to the running backs and tight end Dave Moore more than longer passes downfield to Johnson or wideouts Jacquez Green and Reidel Anthony.

The Buccaneers also need to find more creative ways to get the ball to Warrick Dunn, the way the St. Louis Rams always manage to find Marshall Faulk.

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Sometimes mobile quarterbacks such as Donovan McNabb make life difficult for an offensive line. It’s tough to block for somebody if you don’t know where he is, and if he starts running around before he throws the ball you might take off and be called for an ineligible receiver downfield.

On Sunday, the Eagles’ offensive line made life easy for McNabb. They kept Tampa Bay’s defensive line from smothering him. The Buccaneers had only two sacks. One of those came on a botched handoff attempt, another was a fumbled snap that McNabb covered.

“They’ve just been preparing all throughout the week,” McNabb said of his line. “We’ve been getting better each week. They’ve been able to jell and develop a chemistry all year.”

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It might sound strange, but one of the biggest setbacks for the Buccaneers was when they scored first. That’s because they got only a field goal instead of a touchdown after getting a first down at the Philadelphia 17-yard line.

“If we would’ve scored [a touchdown] right there it would’ve been over,” Johnson said. “Our defense would have had more energy.”

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Dumpy old Veterans Stadium will never look pretty, but workers had it in good condition for Sunday’s game considering eight inches of snow fell the day before.

No snow was visible on the field (they brought in a tarp to keep it covered) or on the sidelines. The stands were almost completely devoid of snow as well. About 150 people were on hand late Friday night before the snow began to fall, and another 300 reported for duty at 5 p.m. Saturday. Then 300 more showed up before dawn on Sunday to finish the preparations.