cadillac williams

Behind a steady quarterback and a suffocating defence, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are erasing memories of a miserable 2006.

Former CFLer Jeff Garcia didn't throw an interception for the fourth straight game and ran for a touchdown, while the Bucs shut down David Carr, Steve Smith and the Carolina Panthers in a 20-7 win Sunday to move atop the NFC South.

Ike Hilliard caught seven passes for 114 yards, Michael Pittman rushed for 90 yards and the Buccaneers (3-1) overcame the loss of running back Carnell (Cadillac) Williams to a right knee injury to beat the Panthers (2-2) for only the second time in nine meetings.

A year after going 4-12 and finishing last in the division, the Bucs have been reinvented behind a new-look defence that made life miserable for Carr. Starting in place of Jake Delhomme, who was nursing a strained right elbow, Carr completed just 19 of 41 passes for 155 yards. He was sacked three times and the Panthers only avoided their first shutout in five years when Carr's screen pass to DeAngelo Williams turned into a 24-yard touchdown with 23 seconds left.

Jermaine Phillips intercepted Carr at the Carolina 28 early in the fourth quarter, setting up Matt Bryant's second field goal, making it 20-0 and sending thousands of booing fans to the exits.

Despite being without starting cornerback Brian Kelly (groin), Ronde Barber and Phillip Buchanon combined to blanket Carolina's receivers. Carr spent much of the day either running away from pressure or throwing the ball away when he couldn't find a receiver.
Ledger sports writer Mike Cobb provides live updates, analysis and commentary from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' NFC South battle with the Carolina Panthers today at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Kelly inactive: Bucs cornerback Brian Kelly is inactive for the game because of a groin strain. Kelly suffered the injury in the opener at Seattle and missed the second game against New Orleans. He played last week with no problems, but the groin became sore again during the week. Phillip Buchanon will start in his place.

Bucs sign Nicholson: The Bucs have signed safety Donte Nicholson and released receiver Chad Lucas, who had been signed earlier in the week when the team put safety Sabby Piscitelli on injured reserve (broken foot). Nicholson is active today.

Other Bucs inactives: QB Chris Simms, QB Luke McCown (3rd quarterback), LB Jeremiah Trotter, LB Adam Heyward, G-T Anthony Davis, G Dan Buenning, DT Ryan Sims. That means DE Patrick Chukwurah, who has missed the first three games with a knee injury, is active and will play.

Carr starting at QB for Panthers: David Carr will start at quarterback for the Panthers. Regular starter Jake Delhomme is inactive because of an elbow injury he suffered last week. Also inactive is middle linebacker Dan Morgan (concussion). Other inactives are LB Adam Seward, G Evan Mathis, T Frank Omiyale, TE Marcus Freeman, DE Charles Johnson and LB Otis Brigsby.

Bucs strike early: The Bucs drove 71 yards on 11 plays for a touchdown on their first possession. That's significant because the Bucs had gone eight straight games without a touchdown on their opening possession. The last time they did it was Thanksgiving Day at Dallas, a game they ended up losing, 38-10. Garcia ran it in from 3 yards out, hie 25th career rushing touchdown. More importantly, he didn't take a shot to the head.

Caddy's Bad Hands: One of the knocks on Cadillac Williams coming out of Auburn was that he wasn't a good pass catcher. That's something he's worked on in his two-plus years in the league. So far today, it hasn't helped. He's already dropped two passes. Ike Hilliard hasn't, though. He already has five catches (four for first downs) for 56 yards.

Caddy's Hurt: Cadillac Williams has suffered a right knee injury at the end of an 18-yard run when he was twisted awkwardly on a hit by Panther defensive back Chris Harris. He's being taken off the field on a cart and Earnest Graham is in the game. Williams was off to a good start with 40 yards on six carries. It's hard to tell how serious the injury might be, but it doesn't look good right now. He's certainly done for the day. I'll update you when I know more. The entire Bucs team is on the field in support of Williams. Earnest Graham is in the game for Williams.

Graham punches it in: Earnest Graham has found the end zone and the Bucs lead 14-0. After a 17-yard pass to fullback B.J. Askew to the 13, Graham needed three carries to punch it in. He now has 16 carries for the season with three rushing touchdowns. Also, it was the Bucs' seventh rushing touchdown of the season in four games. Last year, they only had six rushing touchdowns all year. Look for more carries by Graham the rest of the afternoon . . . and perhaps in the weeks to come.

Bucs pitch first quarter shutout (again): For the fourth game in a row, the Bucs did not give up a point in the first quarter. They have outscored their opponents in the first quarter, 27-0, in the first quater. Last year, the Bucs were outscored 82-30 in the first quarter for the season.

First Quarter Observations: The Bucs have talked about wanting to start fast, and today they have. They outgained Carolina 130-23, have 11 first downs to Carolina's 1 and have a 14-0 lead. They've done very little wrong. The only negative so far has been Cadillac Williams' knee injury.

Another Buc injured: Left tackle Luke Pettigout just injured his right knee and the cart was brought out for him, too. He shook of the cart and walked off the field on his own power, but it's not certain whether he'll be back. Donald Penn is in for him.

Hilliard fumbles: The Bucs' chance to extend their lead ended when Hilliard fumbled at the Panther 21 after a 4-yard catch. It was Hilliard's sixth reception of the day and an uncharacteristic turnover. Hilliard is one of the most sure-handed players on the Bucs' team.

Carr Leaps Tall Linebackers: Panther QB David Carr provided the most spectacular play of the day so far scrambling for a 15-yard gain, leaping Bucs linebackers Derrick Brooks and Cato June, doing a full flip in the air and coming down at the Bucs' 37 for a first down. Look for the replay tonight on ESPN. It was Carolina's second first down of the day. They didn't get their third and wound up punting. The Bucs now have the ball at their own 32.

Hilliard Tops 100: There's 8:25 left in the half and Ike Hilliard already has more than 100 yards receiving. He just hauled in a 56-yard bomb down the middle giving him seven catches for 114 yards. Throughout the early part of the season, head coach Jon Gruden has fielded questions about who the "second receiver" was for the Bucs opposite Joey Galloway. At this point, it looks like it might be Galloway. Hilliard has been the featured target so far today. Meanwhile the Bucs are threatening to score again. I'll be right back.

Bryant good from 25: The Bucs couldn't punch it in and had to settle for a 25-yard Matt Bryant field goal. Their last two possessions, they've gotten to the 21 and the 8 and got only three points out of it. You wonder if that might come back to haunt them later. They had a chance to blow the game open. Still, they're up 17-0, but there's plenty of time for the Panthers to come back.

Another strong first half: The Bucs have a 17-0 halftime lead, the second time this season they've the first half against an NFC South opponent. Two weeks ago, they led New Orleans, 21-0, at the half. It's also the third straight week they've held their opponent scoreless in the first half. The last time the Bucs did that was the last three games of the 1988 season.

Bucs on to punt: With 7:22 left in the third quarter, Josh Bidwell's on to punt for only the second time. There have been plenty of times in the last year and a half when the Bucs had already punted twice with 7:22 left in the first quarter. This time, he's punting from the Panther 35. The Bucs drove into scoring range but couldn't get close enough for a try by Bryant.

Rookies combine for big play: Two Buccaneer rookies created a turnover that's put the Bucs back in scoring position. Safety Tanard Jackson caused a fumble by Carolina running back DeShaun Foster and defensive tackle Greg Peterson recovered at the Panther 27. A touchdown here would make it very difficult for the Panthers to come back in this one.

Bucs going for it on fourth-and-1: The Bucs have fourth-and-goal inside the 1 and they're going for the knockout punch. It's a good call. The defense has been strong all day, and a touchdown with 1:16 left in the third would probably put the game away. Be back in a minute.

Panthers are still in it: Graham was stuffed for no gain a foot from the goal line and it's still 17-0. The Panthers still have a chance. The Bucs had first-and-goal at the 4 and couldn't punch it in. This drive is critical for the Panthers if they hope to get back in the game.

Bucs playing the clock: With 12:49 left, the Bucs are playing field position and the clock. Facing fourth and 3 at the Panther 32, after stopping the Panthers on their previous possession, head coach Jon Gruden elected to punt instead of try a field goal or go for it. After a delay of game, Josh Bidwell's punt traveled 23 yards. The Panthers, who haven't gotten past the Bucs' 46 so far, have the ball at their own 15. At this point, the one thing the Bucs don't want to do is create any scoring chances for the Panthers. The Bucs want to make Carolina earn the points they get. With first place in the division on the line, it's solid thinking.

Looking like old times: It's starting to look like a formula from the past. Get a lead and let the defense protect it. That's what's happening now. In fact, that's about all that's happening. The Bucs' defense has come up with two second-half turnovers in Carolina territory so far, but the Bucs have scored just three points out of it. Jermaine Phillips' interceptoin led to a 38-yard Bryant field goal and a 20-0 lead. Offensively, the Bucs are content to run the ball and the clock and let the defense protect the lead. That's how they used to to it. Remember?

Panthers wave the white flag: After crossing midfield with 6:00 left for only the second time today, the Panthers waved the white flag with 4:50 left, punting on fourth and long after two sacks pushed the Panthers back to the Bucs' 40. The Bucs have dominated this game in all areas, and the final score won't really tell how one-sided it's been. The Bucs have missed several scoring chances and it could easily be something like 42-0 by now. After three straight games like this, maybe it's time to say the Bucs have a pretty good team.Final thoughts: The Bucs finish the first quarter of the season 3-1. Going in, the thought was a 2-3 record after five games would be a good start. They've exceeded that. Next week, they go to Indianapolis. Win or lose in that one, the Bucs have established themselves as the team to beat in the NFC South. The biggest concern is it looks like they've lost Cadillac Williams and left tackle Luke Petitgout for a significant period of time. They may have
lost both for the season. The team will know more today. That's the only real negative from today's game.