Jeff Garcia has brought a winning attitude to the West Coast of Florida.  But, the Bucs need him to stay healthy or they will be roadkill in the playoffs if they even make it.  Garcia has helped the Bucs with both his arms and his legs although the Bucs would like him to run a little less considering his advancing age.  Garcia has completed 182 of 282 passes (64.5%) for 2,135 yards with 11 TD passes and 3 interceptions (96.0 QB Rating) so far this season.  He has also carried the ball 34 times for 116 yards (3.4 ypc) with a TD run.

The Bucs did a great job of making the Redskins turn the football over and that was the big reason for the win last Sunday.  Derrick Brooks (12 tackles) and Barrett Ruud (10 tackles) led the way for the Bucs defense.  But, it was rookie safety Tanard Jackson who had a monster game with 6 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries.  The Redskins finished up with 120 yards rushing on 31 carries (3.9 ypc) and they also completed 30 of 49 passes for 292 yards.

Jeff Garcia only completed 2 of 4 passes for 9 yards as he left this game due to an injury.  Bruce Gradkowski played the bulk of the game and he completed 9 of 19 passes for 106 yards and he also carried the ball 2 times for 24 yards (12.0 ypc).  Ernest Graham had a solid game with 21 carries for 75 yards (3.6 ypc) with a TD run and he also caught 2 passes for 9 yards (4.5 avg).  Ike Hilliard led the way in the passing game with 4 catches for 44 yards (11.0 avg).  The Buccaneers finished up with 99 yards on 25 carries (4.0 ypc) and they also completed 11 of 23 passes for 92 yards.

The Bucs beat up on the Falcons in Atlanta yesterday.  Jeff Garcia was efficient as he completed 10 of 20 passes for 159 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions.  Ernest Graham had an outstanding game as he carried the ball 17 times for 102 yards (6.0 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Michael Pittman also had a solid game as he carried the ball 10 times for 44 yards (4.4 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 17 yards.  Joey Galloway (2 rec, 63 yards, TD) and Alex Smith (3 rec, 51 yards, TD) both had solid games for the Bucs yesterday.  The Bucs finished up with 149 yards rushing on 31 carries (4.8 ypc) and they also completed 11 of 21 passes for 156 yards.

Cato June led the Bucs with 9 tackles against the Falcons yesterday.  CB Ronde Barber had a big game with 4 tackles and a fumble recovery that he returned 41 yards for a TD.  DE Greg White also made a big impact with 2 tackles and 2 sacks.  The Falcons finished up with 49 yards rushing on 19 carries (2.6 ypc) and they also completed 31 of 48 passes for 226 yards.

It’s amazing that the Cardinals kept the score this close when you consider that the Bucs possessed the ball in this game for an amazing 43:07!  Jeff Garcia was efficient in this game as he completed 18 of 28 passes for 196 yards with a TD an 0 INTs.  Ernest Graham was a workhorse in this game for the Bucs as he carried the ball 34 times for 124 yards (3.6 ypc) with a TD run and he also caught 2 passes for 13 yards.  Joey Galloway (5 rec, 84 yards, TD) and Ike Hilliard (7 rec, 70 yards) each played good games.  The Bucs finished with 162 yards rushing on 46 carries (3.5 ypc) and they also completed 18 of 28 passes for 188 yards.

Jermaine Phillips and Tanard Jackson each had two tackles and a interception in this game to lead the defense.  The Cards finished with 23 yards rushing on 12 carries (1.9 ypc) and they also completed 10 of 30 passes for 172 yards.

The Bucs have placed CB/KR Torrie Cox on the Injured Reserve List with a torn ACL.  Cox has made 5 tackles this season for the Bucs and he also returned 2 kickoffs for 41 yards (20.5 avg).  The Bucs will miss Cox due to his versatility.