Former Buc Thomas Jones vs. Bucs rush defense The Bucs' yearlong struggle to stop the run seems to be at an end. Since going back to a one-gap, mostly Cover 2 scheme they have shaved a full yard off opponents' rushing average and are allowing a respectable 3.9 yards per carry. For that trend to continue today, however, the Bucs are going to have to do a better job of tackling and carrying out their assignments, because Jones excels off other team's mistakes. He's a fairly slippery runner to begin with and, like Warrick Dunn, darts into holes in such a way that makes it very hard for would-be tacklers to get a good angle on him. Jones is quick to the hole, but he's best when running outside off the tackles so this is a game in which the Bucs will have to do a good job of rallying to the ball carrier and wrapping up against him. The real key to stopping Jones is wrapping up against him. Simply hitting him won't do much so the Bucs have to be sound in their technique and angles and get their arms around him. Antonio Bryant vs. Jets CB Darrelle Revis Whether it's a result of wanting the ball more or the fact he's simply playing much better, Bryant quickly has become a favorite target of rookie quarterback Josh Freeman. Freeman threw the ball to Bryant a team-leading 11 times during last week's loss to the Panthers and the rewards Bryant provided for those risks will no doubt result in Freeman taking a similar approach this week. If that's the case, though, Freeman has to be careful, because Revis is hot. He has three interceptions in his past two games and five overall this year and he's sure to spend today hounding Bryant and taunting Freeman. Bryant and Revis are similar in terms of size, strength and speed, so the winner of this battle is probably going to be the one who somehow manages to get position on the other at the moment the ball reaches them. Bryant may have an edge there because of his tremendous concentration, but the key for him will come in getting off the line and into his route against the physically adept Revis. He does a very good job of jamming receivers and rerouting them so Bryant will have his work cut out for him. This may be a day when the Bucs' best bet is to go back to keying on TE Kellen Winslow, even if it angers Bryant. Jets QB Kellen Clemens vs. Bucs coach/defensive coordinator Raheem Morris It's Morris' defense now, and this is a good chance for him to show just how savvy he can be. A veteran coordinator in this spot would no doubt make a point of throwing a series of confusing looks and blitzes at Clemens, who has very little experience, and Morris should follow suit. Whatever Morris dials up today, he has to gear the defense toward getting pressure on Clemens. Clemens does a good job of standing up to pressure, but like a lot of young or inexperienced quarterbacks, his throwing mechanics tend to fall apart when he's hurried. Like Freeman, Clemens moves around rather well in the pocket so he can be elusive, but he doesn't always go through his progressions properly and he will lock onto his receivers and try to force throws into tight spots when he's under duress. Clemens has a good arm and he can make all the throws, but he's never been a real accurate passer. He'll leave his receivers in some vulnerable positions and that can lead to turnovers. This games marks the third time in the past three weeks the Bucs have faced a backup quarterback. Morris has to make sure they take full advantage of the opportunity afforded them. The Tampa Tribune 13 December 2009