Packers replay game report
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
PLAYER OF THE GAME
If there ever was an example of how much better your odds are ofobtaining a dominant player in the first five to 10 picks of thedraft, it's Tampa Bay defensive end Gaines Adams. The fourth pick in2007, Adams is turning into one of the best all-around ends in thegame. "He's a force," Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffinsaid. "I love Gaines Adams because he can run. I liked him when Isaw him run at Clemson. Take those guys who can run." Adams was allover Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He didn't have a sack but hehit him once and chased him all over the field, including the playbefore Rodgers threw his last interception. Rodgers had to flip theball out of bounds to avoid a sack. Besides being part of adefensive line that stymied the Packers' running game, he droppedback into coverage and intercepted Rodgers to seal the Buccaneers'victory. It was his second straight game with an interception, tyinghim for the team lead.
MISSING IN ACTION
The Packers' running game was awful. The line was dominated atthe point of attack despite the Buccaneers playing mostly with sevenplayers at the line of scrimmage. Ryan Grant had a fumble that wasreturned for a touchdown and cost the Packers the game. "I can tellwhen our defense is playing well," Kiffin said. "We were hitting.Grant got a few yards, but he was getting machine-gunned. There weresome slobber-knockers. I like those. Everybody was hitting." Grantcarried 15 times for 20 yards and didn't have a carry over 8. He hasfumbled in each of the last two weeks, leading to 10 opponentpoints. For the game, the Packers gained a piddly 28 yards in 18carries. "Offensively, we were poor today," coach Mike McCarthysaid. "We didn't run the ball very well. I thought they got after usup front. The running back and the run-blocking unit is not insync."
WHAT IF . . .
Had punter Derrick Frost performed better, the Packers would havehad a better chance. His 36-yard punt from the Packers' 5 in thesecond quarter set up the Buccaneers' field goal that made the score10-7. In the third quarter, he had a chance to pin the Buccaneersdeep in their territory and wound up with a touchback. Then from theGreen Bay 17 midway through the fourth, he hit a low 38-yard puntthat was returned 19 yards and gave Tampa Bay the ball at thePackers' 36. Nine plays and 30 yards later, Matt Bryant kicked thewinning field goal.
IF YOU MISSED IT
- When Matt Bryant's kickoffs started coming up short, specialteams coach Mike Stock lined up returners Will Blackmon and Jordy Nelson between the hashmarks with Blackmon at the 10 and Nelson atthe goal line.
- Tackle Allen Barbre was used as a tight end for one play andcommitted a false-start penalty. He was subsequently pulled from thegame.
- Cornerback Tramon Williams got hit in the helmet from about 20yards away by an official's flag. The penalty was on Charles Woodson.
- The Buccaneers introduced Bryant with their starting defense.Bryant's infant son died earlier in the week and fans gave him arousing ovation.
- Rookie guard Josh Sitton was active for the first time thisseason but did not play.
BY THE NUMBERS
