DaWolf
11-02-2004, 03:39 AM
Galloway Practicing But 'Very Questionable' Vs. K.C.
By ROY CUMMINGS rcummings@tampatrib.com
Published: Nov 1, 2004
TAMPA - The target date is March 2005.
Ashlee Simpson's lip-syncing gaffe on ``Saturday Night Live'' still will be fresh in your mind, but if all goes according to plan the nagging pain in Joey Galloway's left groin finally will be forgotten by then.
That's his hope, anyway. There's no guarantee. When you're waiting for your groin muscle to complete the process of reattaching itself to the bone, the slightest misstep can set you back weeks, even months.
That's why you're unlikely to see Galloway in the lineup Sunday when the Bucs take on the Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium. Though the Bucs are eager to get Galloway back on the field, Galloway doesn't seem completely ready to return.
``His status is very much in limbo,'' Bucs coach Jon Gruden said of Galloway, who injured his groin for the second time since training camp when he fell trying to make a touchdown catch in the season opener at Washington.
``We're pleased to have Joey out here moving around [in practice],'' Gruden said, ``but he's still somewhat methodical, and the chances of him playing in this game are probably very, very questionable.''
The chances of Galloway playing pain-free at any point this season are very, very questionable. But Galloway seems willing to play with some pain as long as he doesn't risk doing further damage to himself.
``I think it will [nag me] for the remainder of this season,'' Galloway said. ``When I run and do things out here it still hurts, and that's just going to be part of it.
``When the trainers and I decide it's ready to go, I'll be out there full blast. But it's going to probably be six months before it's going to be normal again, so up until then you just have to deal with the pain.''
What's surprising to some is that the loss of Galloway has not been more painful for the Bucs offense. Galloway is the only real deep threat the Bucs have, but lately his absence hasn't short-circuited their attack.
Though they averaged just 12.25 points and 193.5 passing yards per game during their 0-4 start, the Bucs have won two of three since and averaged 20 points and 237 passing yards per game.
Most of the improvement is attributable to quarterback Brian Griese. Since he replaced an injured Chris Simms three weeks ago, Griese has completed 70.7 percent of his passes and produced a 104.9 rating.
And there's some reason to believe he can continue to perform at a high level Sunday. Griese has completed more than 64 percent of his passes while winning his past three starts against the Chiefs.
``They're a team that takes a lot of chances defensively,'' said Griese, who with Denver threw for an average of 264 yards per game during his personal winning streak against Kansas City.
``They have a lot of confidence in their offense and in the amount of points they can score, so they can take some chances on defense, and I think [Sunday's] game against Indianapolis is a great example of that.''
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 472 yards and five touchdowns against the Chiefs on Sunday, but a late interception allowed Kansas City to secure a 45-35 victory.
It was Kansas City's second win in as many outings, and they've scored 101 points in doing it.
So it appears the Bucs will have to put together one of their best offensive efforts just to keep pace with the Chiefs. That won't be easy with Galloway likely sitting on the sideline.
Add the fact fellow wideout Charles Lee remains questionable and will likely miss the game with a knee injury, and the prospects of the Bucs winning a shootout with the Chiefs seem even dimmer.
Nevertheless, Griese said he's confident the Bucs can keep up with Kansas City.
``It's a challenge offensively, but I know going into the game in St. Louis we were excited about the opportunity to go up against that offense, and I think our team responded well,'' Griese said.
``Obviously we didn't win the game, but I think that was a confidence-builder for us. Hopefully we can do a little bit of the same as far as moving the ball this week.''
link (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGBDGWOB11E.html)
By ROY CUMMINGS rcummings@tampatrib.com
Published: Nov 1, 2004
TAMPA - The target date is March 2005.
Ashlee Simpson's lip-syncing gaffe on ``Saturday Night Live'' still will be fresh in your mind, but if all goes according to plan the nagging pain in Joey Galloway's left groin finally will be forgotten by then.
That's his hope, anyway. There's no guarantee. When you're waiting for your groin muscle to complete the process of reattaching itself to the bone, the slightest misstep can set you back weeks, even months.
That's why you're unlikely to see Galloway in the lineup Sunday when the Bucs take on the Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium. Though the Bucs are eager to get Galloway back on the field, Galloway doesn't seem completely ready to return.
``His status is very much in limbo,'' Bucs coach Jon Gruden said of Galloway, who injured his groin for the second time since training camp when he fell trying to make a touchdown catch in the season opener at Washington.
``We're pleased to have Joey out here moving around [in practice],'' Gruden said, ``but he's still somewhat methodical, and the chances of him playing in this game are probably very, very questionable.''
The chances of Galloway playing pain-free at any point this season are very, very questionable. But Galloway seems willing to play with some pain as long as he doesn't risk doing further damage to himself.
``I think it will [nag me] for the remainder of this season,'' Galloway said. ``When I run and do things out here it still hurts, and that's just going to be part of it.
``When the trainers and I decide it's ready to go, I'll be out there full blast. But it's going to probably be six months before it's going to be normal again, so up until then you just have to deal with the pain.''
What's surprising to some is that the loss of Galloway has not been more painful for the Bucs offense. Galloway is the only real deep threat the Bucs have, but lately his absence hasn't short-circuited their attack.
Though they averaged just 12.25 points and 193.5 passing yards per game during their 0-4 start, the Bucs have won two of three since and averaged 20 points and 237 passing yards per game.
Most of the improvement is attributable to quarterback Brian Griese. Since he replaced an injured Chris Simms three weeks ago, Griese has completed 70.7 percent of his passes and produced a 104.9 rating.
And there's some reason to believe he can continue to perform at a high level Sunday. Griese has completed more than 64 percent of his passes while winning his past three starts against the Chiefs.
``They're a team that takes a lot of chances defensively,'' said Griese, who with Denver threw for an average of 264 yards per game during his personal winning streak against Kansas City.
``They have a lot of confidence in their offense and in the amount of points they can score, so they can take some chances on defense, and I think [Sunday's] game against Indianapolis is a great example of that.''
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 472 yards and five touchdowns against the Chiefs on Sunday, but a late interception allowed Kansas City to secure a 45-35 victory.
It was Kansas City's second win in as many outings, and they've scored 101 points in doing it.
So it appears the Bucs will have to put together one of their best offensive efforts just to keep pace with the Chiefs. That won't be easy with Galloway likely sitting on the sideline.
Add the fact fellow wideout Charles Lee remains questionable and will likely miss the game with a knee injury, and the prospects of the Bucs winning a shootout with the Chiefs seem even dimmer.
Nevertheless, Griese said he's confident the Bucs can keep up with Kansas City.
``It's a challenge offensively, but I know going into the game in St. Louis we were excited about the opportunity to go up against that offense, and I think our team responded well,'' Griese said.
``Obviously we didn't win the game, but I think that was a confidence-builder for us. Hopefully we can do a little bit of the same as far as moving the ball this week.''
link (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGBDGWOB11E.html)