BUCS

Turnover Bug Bites Gradkowski

Published: Nov 14, 2006

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Bruce Gradkowski had been more careful with the football than any other quarterback in NFL history.

The rookie quarterback set a league record with most pass attempts (186) with only one interception, which he threw on Oct. 15 against Cincinnati.

Since that turnover, Gradkowski had thrown 147 consecutive passes without an interception. That streak ended late in the first half against Carolina.

Gradkowski's 148th career pass attempt was picked off by Carolina CB Ken Lucas with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter. Lucas intercepted a deep pass intended for WR Joey Galloway. On the Panthers' ensuing possession, Bucs CB Ronde Barber got the ball back for the offense when he intercepted QB Jake Delhomme's pass intended for WR Drew Carter.

On third-and-1 at the Carolina 36-yard line, Gradkowski then threw his second interception of the game with 43 seconds remaining in the half.

Gradkowski wasn't done turning the ball over. On the Bucs' first possession of the third quarter, Gradkowski rushed for a first down at midfield when he was jarred by Carolina LB Chris Draft, forcing the ball loose. The fumble was recovered by Panthers DE Julius Peppers.

GALLOWAY MILESTONE: Galloway surpassed the 9,000 receiving yards mark with a 27-yard reception during the Bucs' first scoring drive.

Galloway would have reached the career milestone earlier in the game if he had laid out for what would have been a 45-yard touchdown reception during the Bucs' opening drive. A pass from Gradkowski was just out of Galloway's grasp.

After that series, Coach Jon Gruden had words with Galloway on the sideline as he was coming off the field.

Galloway finished with five receptions for 87 yards.

BACK ON TRACK: FB Mike Alstott went four consecutive games without a carry, and two consecutive games without touching the ball. He got more involved against Carolina.

The 11th year veteran moved past former Bucs WR Keyshawn Johnson into third place on the team's all-time receiving list with 299 catches. Alstott recorded that number late in the second quarter when he converted on second-and-10 with an 18-yard reception.

Alstott also picked up a first down with a 1-yard rush - his first carry in five games.

It could have been a more productive day for Alstott had he not dropped a short pass from Gradkowski in the fourth quarter as the Bucs were trying to rally. Alstott dropped the ball a play after he helped pick up a first down with a key block on Cadillac Williams' 5-yard run.

MISSING BUT STILL ACTION: The Bucs were missing three defensive starters, with MLB Shelton Quarles (knee), DT Ellis Wyms (ankle) and DE Simeon Rice (shoulder) remaining in Tampa nursing their injuries.

That gave LB Barrett Ruud, DT Jon Bradley and DE Dewayne White some rare starting time. White made his presence known early on when his fumble recovery set up the Bucs' first touchdown.

BUCS BITS: Starting RT Jeremy Trueblood lined up opposite Peppers for the first time and the Pro Bowl defensive lineman got the better of the rookie. Peppers had three sacks. … TE/LS Dave Moore tied former Bucs LT Paul Gruber for second place in team history with his 183rd game as a Buccaneer. … TE Alex Smith suffered a foot sprain in the second half. … DE Charles Bennett was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. To make room, the Bucs released WR Mark Jones.

Katherine Smith