Talking 'bout practice
Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 26 December 2011

Veteran CB Ronde Barber can't figure out why the Bucs can't apply the principles they learn on the practice field to game day.

"That was an embarrassing performance, really, in the run game," Barber said of allowing 270 yards rushing. "It's frustrating to watch because you know what the problems are. It looks like guys want to do their own thing. You've got to believe the guy next to you is going to do his job.''

With CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) sidelined, Barber shadowed WR Steve Smith and limited Cam Newton's big-play target to one catch for nine yards. "They didn't even need him (Smith) today,'' Barber said. "That just shows how far they've come and how far we've gotten away from what we used to be.''

If the Bucs yield more than 24 points at Atlanta on Sunday, they will break the franchise mark for most points allowed in a season. The 1986 club allowed 473 points en route to a 2-14 record that led to the dismissal of coach Leeman Bennett.