The offense sputters, and the defense is burned by a rookie QB and questionable penalty.TAMPA, Fla. — You know it's bad when tailback Rudi Johnson can't run, when wide receiver Chad Johnson tries to hide, when a sack draws a penalty flag and when instant replay turns an incompletion into a game-winning touchdown. Oh, yeah, and when an obscure rookie quarterback outplays a Pro Bowler who won the Heisman Trophy.
"That one hurts," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "You have an opportunity to close the game out, and we didn't get it done." Trailing 13-7, the Bucs had a first down at the Bengals' 32 with 2:58 remaining. Defensive end Justin Smith sacked Bucs quarterback Bruce Gradkowski for an 8-yard loss, but Tampa Bay got a lift when referee Mike Carey flagged Smith for roughing the passer. Carey said Smith "stuffed (Gradkowski's) head into the ground. We're directed to protect the safety of the quarterback." TV replays showed Gradkowski's shoulder landed first and took the brunt of the impact. Gradkowski finished the nine-play, 54-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Michael Clayton with 35 seconds to go. The play was ruled incomplete on the field, but reversed by instant replay, which showed Clayton diving across the goal line in control of the ball. Bengals kicker Shayne Graham missed a 62-yard field goal as time ran out. "I am really proud of our team," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "We had moments of frustration, but did enough on offense to find a way to win." Star of the Game Gradkowski, making his first home start, threw for 146 yards and two TDs in the second half as the Bucs overcame deficits of 7-0, 10-7 and 13-7. The Bengals' only TD came on a 33-yard pass from Pro Bowler Carson Palmer to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Goat of the Game Defensive end Robert Geathers had three of the Bengals' season-high 10 penalties. He was flagged for offsides, grabbing Gradkowski's face mask and roughing the passer. Turning point The Bengals, ahead 13-7, went three-and-out on a possession that started at 6:33 of the fourth quarter. Quote of the day "They might as well put a red jersey on the quarterback and play two-hand touch. You can't tackle the guy or it's a personal foul." — Houshmandzadeh |
