Quote Sheet From Sunday's Game

Coach Steve Spurrier
Q: What was the difference in the team's play from the first half to the second half?
A: We played well with them for quite a while, about until the middle of the third quarter, and they took over. We didn't do too much offensively there toward the end, and that's about all it took. They seemed to get stronger as the game went, and we didn't.

Q: What did you think of Brad Johnson's performance?
A: Give credit to Brad Johnson and their receivers for making a lot of big plays. It seemed like every time they lobbed one up in the air, they came down with it on third down. Several big plays there that kept drives alive.

Q: Why did you take Patrick Ramsey out of the game?
A: I thought we couldn't catch them. He told me he wanted to go back in, but I said, "No, I don't want you getting beat up anymore than you are." Let's rest up and fight another day. So we let Rob [Johnson] go in there and pitch it around a little bit.

Q: What are your thoughts on the offensive line?
A: Well, I am concerned about our blocking. Patrick is a tough young man. The Bucs give a lot of teams pressure. We can't run every down. We have to throw some passes and do the best we can. Hopefully, we can block a little bit better as we go through the season. If not we are in trouble. We have to block people, and I don't think we are doing it well enough to beat a lot of teams right now.

Q: Can you talk about the interception in the third quarter?
A: We had a lot of bad plays. The streak to Rod Gardner, Patrick maybe could have thrown it a hair sooner, but then he got bumped right as he was going to throw it. He was getting ready to crank it down there, and it goes for an interception instead of a possible touchdown that could have put us back up. I think it's 14-13 at that point, and I think that was a big play in the game.

Jeremiah Trotter
Q: Can you assess the difference in how the team played from the first half to the second?
A: We were two different teams from the first half to the second half. I don't know what went wrong. We have to get into the film room, see what happened and try to make it different.

Q: Did you feel you got enough pressure on Brad Johnson?
A: We thought we could. I don't think we blitzed too much. When a play is called, we have to play the play and make plays. Nobody made plays. If you want to win, you have to make plays.

Q: Can you talk about the Bucs' success passing to their tight end?
A: You have to give them credit for having a good game plan and going out and executing it. They ran the ball a little in the red zone, and then they ran the play-action to get us off balance. The tight end was open in the flat, and that's the way it goes.

Laveranues Coles
Q: What are your thoughts about the loss?
A: We just didn't play up to our capabilities. We put together a nice first half, and we still weren't playing as well as we possibly could. In the second half, we didn't come out at all. We just didn't put together a good second half. We came out, started moving the ball, but we have to quit letting things snowball. We all make mistakes, but we can't let things start to go downhill after we make mistakes.

Q: Can you talk about catching at least five passes in 19 straight games?
A: After a loss, a record doesn't really mean that much. I'd rather have a win than a record. It's an accomplishment, and I'm excited about it, but it's hard to celebrate it after a loss.

LaVar Arrington
Q: What are your thoughts about the loss?
A: For us to be 3-3, I'm very concerned. I'm just disappointed. We came in with a good game plan. We really felt like we matched up with them really well. I think we showed that we belonged on the field with those guys for the most part.

Q: Can you talk about losing that early lead?
A: We let it get away. This team has to mature into some finishers. We have to finish these games. Until we do that, until we mature into that, until we force ourselves and will ourselves into that, we're going to struggle like we have been.

Q: Did you speak with Warren Sapp after the game?
A: He came up to me. He was laughing and stuff. I had to let him know it was a sign of respect. He understood, and we embraced and wished each other luck. It's part of the game. Friendships go up on the shelf on Sunday, but they come back off when you're not playing.