Tribal Warfare
11-02-2008, 11:31 PM
Chiefs get tricky and lead the Bucs (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/871277.html)
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Pulling out some razzle dazzle offense, the Chiefs led Tampa Bay 24-13 at halftime today at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Tyler Thigpen not only threw a touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe, he was on the receiving end of a 37-yard bomb thrown by wide receiver Mark Bradley.
The Chiefs led by as much as 24-3 after a 39-yard field goal by Connor Barth with 2:01 left in the first half.
But the Bucs’ Clifton Smith took the air out of the crowd and got Tampa Bay back in the game with a 97-yard kickoff return, just the second kickoff return for a touchdown in franchise history.
The Chiefs’ Jon McGraw appeared to have a bead on Smith at Kansas City 25, but his dive for Smith’s heels proved futile.
Tampa Bay kicker Matt Bryant pulled the Buccaneeers to within 24-13 with a 43-yard field goal as the first half expired.
The Chiefs went to their bag of tricks early in the second quarter. First, they unveiled the wildcat formation with the direct snap going to running back Jamaal Charles for a 16-yard gain.
Two plays later, the snap again went to Charles, who lateraled it to wide receiver Mark Bradley on a reverse. Bradley then uncorked a 37-yard pass to Thigpen, who lined up as a wideout and gathered it in well behind the Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber with 10:12 to play in the second quarter.
The second quarter was marred by a sprained knee injury to running back Kolby Smith, who was carted off the field after a 5-yard gain. Smith had rushed 10 times for 46 yards and a touchdown in the game.
Linebacker Derrick Johnson suffered a hamstring injury at the end of the first half.
The Chiefs struck for two first-period touchdowns while Tampa Bay ran one offensive play.
Thigpen opened the game by leading the Chiefs on a 12-play, 69 yard drive, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass to Bowe, who beat rookie cornerback Aqib Talib of Kansas.
It was the first time all season the Chiefs scored a first-quarter touchdown.
Thigpen completed two passes to tight end Tony Gonzalez for 27 yards on the drive, and Smith ran five times for 29 yards.
The Bucs’ ensuing possession lasted one play. Chiefs defensive tackle Tank Tyler ripped the ball from Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham, and defensive end Turk McBride recovered at the Buccaneers 41.
Thigpen completed passes of eight yards to tight end Brad Cottam and 15 yards to Gonzalez to the 12. After a couple runs by Smith moved the ball to the 3, Tampa Bay’s Barber was called for holding Gonzalez in the end zone, putting the ball at the 1.
Smith rammed it in for the touchdown, the first rushing touchdown Tampa Bay has allowed this season. The Bucs countered with 68-yard drive highlighted by a stunning one-handed catch for 21 yards by Antonio Bryant and capped by a 25-yard field goal by Matt Bryant, making it 14-3 early in the second quarter.
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Pulling out some razzle dazzle offense, the Chiefs led Tampa Bay 24-13 at halftime today at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Tyler Thigpen not only threw a touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe, he was on the receiving end of a 37-yard bomb thrown by wide receiver Mark Bradley.
The Chiefs led by as much as 24-3 after a 39-yard field goal by Connor Barth with 2:01 left in the first half.
But the Bucs’ Clifton Smith took the air out of the crowd and got Tampa Bay back in the game with a 97-yard kickoff return, just the second kickoff return for a touchdown in franchise history.
The Chiefs’ Jon McGraw appeared to have a bead on Smith at Kansas City 25, but his dive for Smith’s heels proved futile.
Tampa Bay kicker Matt Bryant pulled the Buccaneeers to within 24-13 with a 43-yard field goal as the first half expired.
The Chiefs went to their bag of tricks early in the second quarter. First, they unveiled the wildcat formation with the direct snap going to running back Jamaal Charles for a 16-yard gain.
Two plays later, the snap again went to Charles, who lateraled it to wide receiver Mark Bradley on a reverse. Bradley then uncorked a 37-yard pass to Thigpen, who lined up as a wideout and gathered it in well behind the Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber with 10:12 to play in the second quarter.
The second quarter was marred by a sprained knee injury to running back Kolby Smith, who was carted off the field after a 5-yard gain. Smith had rushed 10 times for 46 yards and a touchdown in the game.
Linebacker Derrick Johnson suffered a hamstring injury at the end of the first half.
The Chiefs struck for two first-period touchdowns while Tampa Bay ran one offensive play.
Thigpen opened the game by leading the Chiefs on a 12-play, 69 yard drive, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass to Bowe, who beat rookie cornerback Aqib Talib of Kansas.
It was the first time all season the Chiefs scored a first-quarter touchdown.
Thigpen completed two passes to tight end Tony Gonzalez for 27 yards on the drive, and Smith ran five times for 29 yards.
The Bucs’ ensuing possession lasted one play. Chiefs defensive tackle Tank Tyler ripped the ball from Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham, and defensive end Turk McBride recovered at the Buccaneers 41.
Thigpen completed passes of eight yards to tight end Brad Cottam and 15 yards to Gonzalez to the 12. After a couple runs by Smith moved the ball to the 3, Tampa Bay’s Barber was called for holding Gonzalez in the end zone, putting the ball at the 1.
Smith rammed it in for the touchdown, the first rushing touchdown Tampa Bay has allowed this season. The Bucs countered with 68-yard drive highlighted by a stunning one-handed catch for 21 yards by Antonio Bryant and capped by a 25-yard field goal by Matt Bryant, making it 14-3 early in the second quarter.