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Katherine Smith, The Tampa Tribune, published 7 November 2005
Anthony Davis left Sunday's game just before the end of the first half with what the Bucs called a right knee sprain and did not return. How long the injury will keep Davis off the field is unknown. "We are concerned, obviously," Jon Gruden said.
The Bucs are awaiting the results of an MRI to determine the extent of Davis' injury, but backup Todd Steussie could be the left tackle for the foreseeable future. Davis was hurt on a first-and-10 from the Bucs' 28-yard line. Tampa Bay QB Chris Simms was sacked by Carolina DE Julius Peppers on the play. "I feel very bad for him," offensive line coach Bill Muir said. "Obviously it's his first year starting and he worked hard to get to that position. You hate to see anybody get hurt."
Steussie, who was pressed to action earlier this season against Detroit when Davis suffered a deep thigh bruise, gave up a sack late in the third quarter when former Carolina teammate Mike Rucker beat him outside to get to Simms. "I played against Mike Rucker every day in practice for three years and we know each other way too well," Steussie said. "I was trying to protect one of his favorite things he likes to do, coming underneath. I think I was just a little bit apprehensive at first, but once I became more comfortable, then things were better."
Mr Smith goes to the End Zone
Through three quarters, the Bucs secondary pretty much contained the league's leading receiver Steve Smith, who had four receptions for 71 yards heading into the fourth quarter.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Carolina QB Jake Delhomme connected with Smith for a 35-yard touchdown reception. Smith beat Pro Bowl CB Ronde Barber off the line, getting enough separation to pull away for the catch. Smith pretended to wield a saber in celebration after he scored.
"That was a little sword fight out there," said Smith, who finished with four receptions for 106 yards. "Hey, it's the Buccaneers."
 Clayton losing focus?
Michael Clayton said the cure for the Bucs' ills is to eliminate their numerous mistakes, which includes his problem with holding onto the ball. Clayton has dropped several passes in his second pro season, including two Sunday. "What caused it, obviously, is the big thing is focus," he said. "As a receiver, you have to, no matter what kind of traffic you are in, you have to keep your eye on the ball. I made that mistake. I feel like I never dropped as many balls in my life."
At least no flags on the kick returns this week
The Bucs got better results from their return game than in recent games. Entering Sunday's game, the Bucs were last in the league with an average drive start at the 21.9-yard line. Against Carolina, the Bucs bettered that average to the 27. Torrie Cox averaged 22.1 yards on seven kickoff returns, which included his longest return of the season -- a 30-yarder to open the second half. PR Mark Jones averaged 15 yards on three punts. None of the Bucs' 13 drives started inside their 20-yard line.
Did you see that cheap hit on Bidwell?
Josh Bidwell was down for a couple minutes after being blindsided by Carolina RB/KR Rod Smart late in the second quarter. Bidwell took a shot to the right side of his body after a 55-yard punt. He was running downfield to help on the tackle when Smart, a Lakeland native, hit him. "It was borderline in his back," long snapper Dave Moore said of the hit. "Josh is a tough guy. He got up, but he's got a pretty good hip pointer and is hobbling around right now. He came back and punted well for the rest of the game."
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