TBO.com - Live in the moment

Bucs Expecting 'A Black And Blue Game'

Published: Oct 11, 2007

TAMPA - After failing to match the speed and finesse of Indianapolis, the Bucs plan to fasten their chin straps a little tighter Sunday as Tennessee rumbles into Raymond James Stadium intending to impose its will.

Under Coach Jeff Fisher, the 3-1 Titans are one of the NFL's most aggressive clubs on both sides of the ball. Tennessee ranks fourth in rushing and No. 3 in stopping the run, led by 320-pound defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

"This is going to be one of the tougher games of the year," said Bucs DT Chris Hovan. "It's going to be a black and blue game and we have to get our minds right. It's going to take a lot of scratching and clawing to win this game."

The Titans rolled into Jacksonville for the season opener and ran for 282 yards, the franchise's high-water mark since Fisher's first full season in 1995.

The Titans are 14-1 under Fisher when running for at least 200 yards.

Haynesworth, a first-round pick out of Tennessee in 2002, keys a rushing defense that is yielding an average of only 72.3 yards per game.

"They're physical, no question about that," said Bucs coach Jon Gruden. "Albert Haynesworth is playing as well inside as anyone I've seen in the last two or three years. God help anyone that has tried to run between the tackles as of late. We have a former Volunteer, Arron Sears, who is going to get a chance to meet one of the great alums in Albert Haynesworth. He'll be a key to the game."

Haynesworth, suspended five games last season for stomping on the face of Dallas center Andre Gurode, did not practice Wednesday because of a sore ankle, but he is expected to play Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Bucs CB Brian Kelly, who tweaked a strained groin in Sunday's 33-14 loss to the Colts, missed practice. MLB Barrett Ruud (knee) and DE Greg White (shoulder) were limited in Wednesday's practice.

Ruud, the team's leading tackler, missed time in training camp with a bruised left knee, and veteran Jeremiah Trotter may dress for the first time this season if Ruud's knee doesn't improve.

"Trotter's in the bullpen," Gruden said. "He's ready to go if needed. You're always concerned when a guy's nicked up a little bit. We expect him [Ruud] and Greg White to play in the game."

When Gruden was asked for details on Ruud's condition, he generated some unintended laughs.

"We're calling it a sore body," he said, employing the same vague phrase he offered in August when asked about T Luke Petitgout, whose sore back kept him sidelined for 10 days of training camp.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE: QB Chris Simms, inactive for the first five games while recovering from last fall's splenectomy, was officially placed on injured reserve.

Simms, 27, owns a 7-8 record in the regular season as Tampa Bay's starter, and he helped the Bucs to a 2005 playoff berth in relief of Brian Griese. He started the first three games last year before suffering a season-ending injury against Carolina.

"Obviously, he's hurt," said Gruden, who insisted throughout training camp that Simms was not injured. "He's unable to get it going and his season is over. I just know he's a great kid, and it's very unfortunate. He's a young guy with talent. He's got to get himself squared away physically where he can go out confident and compete again. Until he does, he's got work to do."

BUC BITS: The Titans have beaten the Bucs in seven of eight meetings, including a five-game winning streak, and Fisher is 3-0 vs. teams coached by Gruden. … Tennessee has not allowed a point in the fourth quarter, yielding only 12 first downs. … The team re-signed RB Lionel Gates and releasing RB DonTrell Moore.

Ira Kaufman