1. The offensive line is decimated » Tampa Bay is on its seventh starting offensive line combination after losing center Jeff Faine for the year. The result is a starting guard (Jeremy Zuttah) has been moved to center while two rookie guards play alongside him. Their best lineman, guard Davin Joseph, is among those lost for the season. Derek Hardman, one of three linemen promoted from the practice squad, is now starting at right guard. Left tackle Donald Penn has not played as consistently as he did a year ago.
2. LeGarrette Blount can run the ball » The offense has survived because it has a running back capable of pounding defenses. Blount, whose college career at Oregon ended in controversy, is a bruising runner. He has rushed for 599 yards this season, and all but 30 have come in the last seven weeks. Blount’s size (247 pounds) makes him effective, though there are questions about his running style. He hasn’t been effective in short-yardage situations and sometimes needs to get lower.
3. The defense is improving vs. the run » Tampa Bay ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed a game and 27th in yards allowed a carry. The defense was hurt by the loss of rookie safety and Oakton High/Virginia Tech alum Cody Grimm to a broken leg. Grimm was good in run support. However, several weeks ago the Bucs were ranked 31st against the run. Nose tackle Roy Miller and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy have started to mesh, and that has made a difference. Losing corner Aqib Talib will hurt what has been a good pass defense.
4. The quarterback doesn’t make mistakes » At least that has been the case most of the season, just not recently. In the past two games, second-year quarterback Josh Freeman has completed just 36 of his 75 passes. But for the most part Freeman has done a nice job, having thrown just six interceptions this season. One of his favorite targets? Rookie fourth-round wideout Mike Williams, who has 51 catches for 769 yards and seven touchdowns.
