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The Tampa Tribune, published 1 December 2003
The Bucs offense compiled only 3 yards in the first quarter; Jacksonville picked up 97. Dwight Smith was fined for his actions during the Monday night game against the Giants, but not for his highlight-reel hit on WR Amani Toomer. Smith was fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct for celebrating after a third-quarter interception. It was Smith's fourth interception of the season, and he was not penalized on the play.
Prior to Sunday night's game, Jacksonville celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the awarding of its franchise. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue participated in the ceremony.
Penalty, Pick On Drive Sum Up Season
The Bucs' second series of Sunday night's game provided a microcosm of their struggles this season. It began with a penalty and ended with a turnover. Kenyatta Walker was penalized for holding, nullifying an 8-yard pass from QB Brad Johnson to TE Ken Dilger. Instead of second-and-one from their 44, the Bucs started the series first- and-20 from the 26.
Tampa Bay entered Sunday night with the second-most penalty yards in the league (837) behind Oakland (848), and the eighth-most penalties (87). Johnson ended the series on third-and-13 with an interception. Under heavy pressure, Johnson's pass intended for WR Charles Lee was picked off by Jacksonville MLB Mike Peterson. Johnson's interception, his 10th in seven games and the Bucs' 22nd turnover of the season, led to a Jacksonville touchdown. Tampa Bay had 21 turnovers last season.
Streaks alive
Tim Wansley's second-quarter fumble recovery extended the NFL's longest streak, getting a turnover in 53 consecutive games. Jacksonville TE Kyle Brady fumbled a 6-yard reception midway through the second quarter. Derrick Brooks forced the fumble, which Wansley recovered. The turnover led to Martin Gramatica's 47-yard field goal and a 10-7 Bucs lead.
The last time the Bucs failed to collect a turnover was during the 2000 season in a 28-14 loss to Detroit on Oct. 19. The streak began the following week in a 41-13 victory against Minnesota.
Injury report
Joe Jurevicius was active for Sunday's game but did not play. Jurevicius has been bothered by a knee sprain. He missed seven games after tearing his medial collateral ligament Sept. 14 against Carolina. The Nov. 16 game against Green Bay was his first back. Last week against the Giants, Jurevicius had three receptions for 43 yards, including a long of 22.
Corey Ivy suffered a left ankle sprain in the third quarter but returned. Wansley strained his left hamstring in the fourth quarter on Jacksonville's 48-yard touchdown pass. Dwight Smith took over at corner, with Jermaine Phillips filling in at safety. Jacksonville QB Byron Leftwich was tended to by the Jaguars medical staff after injuring his groin during a 6-yard run late in the second quarter. Backup QB David Garrard replaced Leftwich for one play before the rookie returned.
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