The Buccaneers defense essentially threw a shutout against the Cleveland Browns yesterday as the only points the Browns scored was on the defensive TD.  DT Chris Hovan had a big game with 7 tackles and a sack.  Derrick Brooks had a fantastic game with 7 tackles and an interception that he returned 21 yards for a TD.  S Jermaine Phillips also had a great game with 4 tackles and 2 interceptions.  The Browns ran the ball 20 times for 91 yards (4.6 ypc).  The Browns were awful throwing the ball as the Bucs only let them complete 10 of 28 passes for 97 net yards passing and the Bucs intercepted Derek Anderson 4 times!

The offense made the Browns pay for their mistakes.  Tim Rattay had a solid game completing 16 of 26 passes for 212 yards and an INT.  Michael Pittman got the start because Cadillac Williams was injured and he carried the ball 16 times for 86 yards (5.4 ypc) and a TD.  He also caught 4 passes for 21 yards.  Mike Alstott was busy with 22 carries for 56 yards (2.5 ypc).  Ike Hilliard (4 rec, 67 yards) and Alex Smith (4 rec, 45 yards) led the way for the Bucs receiving corps.

The Bucs improved to 4-11 on the season with this easy win in Cleveland.