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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost 28-year old DE Jimmy Wilkerson for the season due to a torn ACL. Wilkerson played in 15 games for the Bucs this season and he made 46 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, he forced 2 fumbles, defensed 2 passes and he had 6 sacks which was second on the team. The Buccaneers will miss Wilkerson against the Falcons this weekend as he is one of the best pass rushers on the team.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed RB Earnest Graham on I.R. ending his season due to a torn ligament in his right big toe. Graham played in 13 games for the Bucs this season and he carried the ball 14 times for 66 yards (4.7 ypc) and he also caught 14 passes for 109 yards (7.8 avg). The Buccaneers simply don’t use Graham right and he would be smart to leave in free agency.
The Buccaneers shocked the world yesterday by beating the Saints in New Orleans. It wasn’t just that they beat the Saints it’s how they did it. The Bucs scored 14 points in the 4th quarter to send the game into O.T. then Josh Freeman led them down the field to set up the game winning 47-yard field goal by Connor Barth. Josh Freeman was solid completing 21 of 31 passes for 271 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 INTs. He also carried the ball 2 times for 7 yards (3.5 ypc) yesterday. Cadillac Williams was outstanding for the Buccaneers yesterday with 129 yards rushing on 24 carries (5.4 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also caught 3 passes for 19 yards (6.3 avg). Derrick Ward pitched in with 32 yards rushing on 7 carries (4.6 ypc) yesterday. Ernest Graham only carried the ball 1 time for 8 yards but he also added 4 catches for 43 yards (10.8 avg). TE Kellen Winslow (4 rec, 76 yards) and WR Antonio Bryant (5 rec, 52 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Bucs yesterday. The Buccaneers finished up with 439 total yards on offense (176 rushing, 263 passing) in this game as they had possession of the ball for 36:15.
The defense was in a bend but don’t break mode yesterday as they gave up a lot of years without giving up a lot of points. Linebacker Geno Hayes led the way for the Bucs yesterday with 10 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit. CB Ronde Barber pitched in with 9 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 QB hit and a fumble recovery. The Saints finished up with 373 total yards on offense (124 rushing, 249 passing) yesterday. But, the Bucs also got a huge play in the third phase of the game (special teams) as Michael Spurlock returned a punt 77 yards for a TD with only 2:25 left in the game to tie it. The Buccaneers are now 3-12 on the season as they have now won 2 games in a row.
24-year old safety Tanard Jackson missed the first four games due to a NFL suspension but he has made up for lost time. Jackson has played in 10 games for the Buccaneers this season and he has made 61 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, defensed 6 passes, forced 1 fumble and he has 4 interceptions (two of which he returned for a TDs). Jackson gives the Buccaneers a playmaker at the back end of the defense so they need him to keep out of trouble off the field.
26-year old linebacker Barrett Ruud is having another great year for the Bucs. He has played in 14 games for the Bucs this season and he has 121 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble, 6 passes defensed and 1 interception. Ruud has been a tackling machine since getting drafted by the Bucs and he is showing that he is a guy they can build a defense around.
