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Winless Bucs facing a tough task overseas
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Published: October 25, 2009
LONDON
The winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in London and hoping the change of scenery will finally help them get their season back on track.
Unfortunately, they'll have to beat the New England Patriots (4-2) today at Wembley Stadium to turn things around.
"I'm sure we're a major underdog. They've got the great Tom Brady, Randy Moss," running back Cadillac Williams of the Buccaneers said yesterday. "(But) any time you step out there on Sunday you give yourself a chance."
The Bucs (0-6) have lost 10 straight games and face a team that beat the Tennessee Titans 59-0 last week.
Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris said the Patriots have many assets, including "their head coach, their quarterback, their receiving corps, their defense."
"Everything about the New England Patriots is a great model to follow," Morris added.
The Patriots arrived in the British capital on Friday morning and were able to get in a light practice in the afternoon, but the Buccaneers landed late that same day. And because of rain yesterday, neither team was able to complete a walkthrough at Wembley.
"It kind of feels like a high-school game almost, where you don't maybe prepare as much as you do normally during the week," Buccaneers linebacker Barrett Ruud said. "There is a little bit of a shortage on preparation."
The Buccaneers are the "home" team this time, and quarterback Josh Johnson will be looking for the advantage when the game kicks off.
"It all starts here," Johnson said. "We maybe lost one game where a team physically beat us. We've been in games. We have cost ourselves."
Cornerback Ronde Barber tried to stay realistic about facing a team that scored 59 points last week.
"We understand where we are this season. We're not naive to that fact," Barber said. "But at the same time, we're professionals, they're professionals. We're not going to lay down for them, that's for sure."
Patriots coach Bill Belichick has said he is concerned about Tampa's running game, but Morris isn't worried about what others think.
"I appreciate Coach Belichick for giving us compliments, but he's just trying to lull us to sleep," Morris said.
The trip to London is a first for many of the players, but for some there is no time to sample what the city has to offer.
"If you ask if I'm enjoying London, no," Morris said. "I've got Bill Belichick waiting for me tomorrow. I won't be able to enjoy London until the offseason."
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