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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Strategy and Personnel

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Updated Dec 11, 2009 2:21 AM ET
     
 
The Bucs placed RB Clifton Smith on injured reserve after he suffered his second concussion in less than two months. The Bucs signed RB Kareem Huggins from the practice squad.



PLAYER NOTES

--WR Michael Clayton (knee) did not participate Thursday in practice and could be out for Sunday's game against the Jets.

--CB Derrick Roberson (groin) did not participate today and may not play Sunday against the Jets.

--TE Kellen Winslow (knee) was full go at practice Thursday.

--LB Geno Hayes, who missed practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury, returned to work Thursday.

--CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) practiced Thursday.

--WR Sammie Stroughter will return punts and kickoff for the final four games of the season with the injury to Clifton Smith.

-- Kellen Winslow (knee) did not participate in practice on Wednesday.

GAME PLAN: The Bucs are coming off a huge offensive day in which they racked up 469 yards. QB Josh Freeman is a hot passer, but he made decisions in the red zone at Carolina last week and threw five INTs.

Freeman will get some help Sunday as the Bucs try to run the ball against the Jets' 3-4 scheme. But with the array of blitzes the Jets bring, Freeman may have to slow them down by making them pay for man coverage on the outside.

Defensively, the Bucs are playing better, which isn't saying much. When the NFL's top rushing team plays a defense that is 31st against the run, you can expect the Jets to finish with 160 yards on the ground.

That would make the job easy for QB Kellen Clemens. So look for a lot of eight and nine man fronts, especially on early downs.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jets CB Darrelle Revis vs. Bucs WR Antonio Bryant. Revis is considered one of the top cover corners in the NFL. Bryant is finally healthy and has more than 200 yards receiving in his last two games.

Jets LDE Shaun Ellis vs. Bucs RG Davin Joseph. The Bucs are trying to jumpstart their rushing attack and instituted more power plays and man blocking than in the past. Ellis is a big body against a Pro Bowl player in Joseph.

Jets RB Thomas Jones vs. Bucs MLB Barrett Ruud. Jones, a former Bucs player, leads the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense. Ruud is a tackling machine that has played better the last two weeks since Raheem Morris took over the defense.

INJURY IMPACT: The biggest injury to watch again this week is Bucs CB Aqib Talib, who did not play at Carolina last week because of a recurring hamstring strain. If Talib can play, he will likely be assigned to shut down Jets WR Braylon Edwards. LB Geno Hayes missed practice with a hamstring strain and that bears watching. Adam Hayward would start if Hayes can't go.
Tagged: Buccaneers

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