Just Like Old Times For Defense Joe Henderson, The Tampa Tribune, published 26 November 2007 All day long the offense kept getting it wrong. And every time it did, the defense was there to keep order - just like so many times in the past. Maybe you were thinking you had seen it all before. If so, you certainly weren't the only one. The Bucs were thinking the same thing. So not long after forcing their sixth turnover of the day - Brian Kelly's interception in the end zone with 17 seconds to play to seal a 19-13 win over Washington - cornerback Ronde Barber walked up to Kelly and said simply, "Seems like old times." Later in the locker room, Barber said with a grin, "It was positively 2001ish." It was that and more on a day when nothing less than a defensive effort straight out of the Way Back Machine would do. With quarterback Jeff Garcia missing three-fourths of the game with a back injury - the Bucs didn't have a first down in the second half - it was all on the defense to win the game. In the second half alone, the Redskins kept the ball for 24:46 out of the available 30 minutes. It would have been understandable if the Bucs had wilted, but they didn't. They forced (and recovered) four fumbles. And when they had to have it, they turned to players who helped define this team's image as a defense for the ages. And the aged. Start with interceptions by Kelly and Barber, who ruled the corners during the Bucs' run to a Super Bowl in 2001ish. Then throw in a stop by linebacker Derrick Brooks of Redskins running back Clinton Portis on fourth-and-1 at the Bucs 4-yard line late in the third quarter. It was a game-changer. It was potentially a season-changer for the Old Men and the D. Fun With Numbers: The Bucs are 7-4 and still lead the NFC South by two games. More Fun With Numbers: The Bucs forced four fumbles in the first 19 minutes, recovering each one as they went in front 16-0. Greg White forced two, while Phillip Buchanon and Jermaine Phillips forced one each. White also recovered one. "You look at our team history," Brooks said. "When we win the turnover battle, we win games." Depending on Garcia's health, the ability to force turnovers may well determine how long this season extends into January. Certainly it gave them the margin they needed Sunday. Actually, the play by Brooks in the shadow of his goal line might as well be called a turnover, too. The Redskins trailed 19-10 at the time but had kept the ball nearly seven minutes as they drove from their 30 to the Bucs' 4. Washington coach Joe Gibbs didn't hesitate, ordering his team to go for it. "We were looking for the sneak," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "They like to sneak quarterback Jason Campbell because he's a big guy." Campbell wouldn't say that Washington had called a sneak, but added, "I've got the option based on what we see defensively. They gave us a defense where we couldn't run the quarterback sneak." So he called an audible and gave the ball to Portis off the left side. Brooks made sure the play never had a chance. He fought off a block and crushed Portis for no gain, well short of the first down. The officials didn't even measure and the Redskins didn't argue. "They ran at me," Brooks said. "I just caught 'em good. There ain't a whole lot of magic to it." Who says? It was magic when Barber picked off a pass at the Bucs' 28 with 3:40 to play when Washington was driving to take the lead. Fittingly, it was his 32nd career interception, a team record. "Instincts just take over sometimes," he said. "I took a chance and was in the right place." It also was magic when Kelly, who has battled so many injuries, clinched the victory with his interception. "I'm going to be honest with you," Brooks said with a grin, "it feels good for the old guys to feel appreciated and make a play every now and then." Brooks. Barber. Kelly. Familiar names. Familiar finish. "Old guys playing in new times," Barber said. Ageless guys who never seem to age. Maybe we have seen it many times before, but it never gets old.