NFL

South champs

The Bucs go from worst to first in the division to set up a first-round game with the Redskins.

By RICK STROUD
Published January 2, 2006

	[Times photo: Bill Serne]
	Chris Simms, left, and Joey Galloway celebrate late in Sunday's 27-13 victory over the Saints. The win gave the Bucs the NFC South division title and a home playoff game against the Redskins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

TAMPA - It's funny how one Gatorade bath can wash away the stain of a couple tough seasons.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock in the Bucs' 27-13 win over the Saints on Sunday, Tampa Bay players went looking for their quarterback to make one final heave.

They wanted him to dump a bucket on coach Jon Gruden.

"Joey Galloway, at first, wanted me to go do it, and I said, "Noooo, I don't think so,"' Chris Simms said. "We got the tight ends together and figured they were a good tandem. They got him good, too."

And that is when it began to soak in.

Not satisfied with just making the playoffs, the Bucs (11-5) completed a worst-to-first turnaround in the NFC South by winning the division and the right to host at least one game in the postseason.

The Bucs finished with the same record as the Panthers, Bears and Giants. They won the South because of a better division record and are seeded behind the Bears but ahead of the Giants based on conference record. As the No.3 seed, the Bucs play the No.6 Redskins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.

The Redskins (10-6), who lost a 36-35 shootout to the Bucs in Tampa on Nov. 13, defeated the Eagles 31-20 to earn the final NFC wild card.

As usual, the Bucs made their fans wait until the final few minutes of the game to begin the celebration. Simms finished 12-of-25 for 143 yards but needed an interception overturned by instant replay to help preserve the victory.

Joey Galloway set a club record with his ninth and 10th receiving touchdowns, the second set up by Michael Pittman's 64-yard run.

And as he did Dec. 24 against Atlanta by blocking a field goal in overtime, defensive end Dewayne White contributed by stripping quarterback Todd Bouman of the ball, scooping up the fumble and returning it 34 yards for a touchdown.

"It's a good time," cornerback Ronde Barber said. "It's a 12-man dance, and we've got one of the tickets. So let's go party."

And party they did. Defensive end Simeon Rice, who had two sacks to give him 14 for the season, stripped to his bare chest before putting on a hat proclaiming the Bucs as NFC South champions.

Players hugged and pumped their fists on the way to the locker room, where the real revelry took place behind closed doors.

"We were just yelling and hollering that we were NFC South champs," Simms said. "I think everybody was extremely excited. We're pumped that we've got a home game next week."

That's really what was at stake Sunday. The Bucs were assured of a playoff berth when the Giants beat the Raiders on Saturday night.

But after losing 20 of 32 games and missing the playoffs the past two seasons, you can't blame the Bucs for feeling greedy. A core of veterans, particularly on defense, likely doubted if they would ever have another chance to reach the Super Bowl.

"It makes me feel great, especially Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice, (Anthony) McFarland ... they've been mainstays of this organization, and they're the reason we're in the position we're in," Simms said. "They continually work hard. They're great leaders in the locker room, and guys like that, they deserve this every year."

Simms made sure they got another chance.

The Saints (3-13) pulled within 17-13 on John Carney's 24-yard field goal with 12:06 left and appeared to have a chance to take the lead after the first play of the Bucs' ensuing possession.

Simms' pass was tipped and appeared to be intercepted by diving linebacker Ronald McKinnon at the Tampa Bay 25.

But Gruden challenged the interception, and referee Jeff Triplette said the replay showed the ball hit the ground before McKinnon gained possession.

"That was a big play," Gruden said. "We tried to throw the ball to Galloway underneath their double zone. The linebacker made a great effort. It was close enough to challenge. They rushed their offense out onto the field. We didn't get a chance to really look at it, but we kind of threw the flag hoping the ball hit the ground."

Simms made the most of his second chance, completing passes of 20 yards to Galloway and 22 to rookie tight end Alex Smith.

A 14-yard run by Cadillac Williams, who rushed for 81 yards, set up Matt Bryant's 26-yard field goal that gave the Bucs a 20-13 lead.

Lost in the euphoria was the Bucs overtaking the Bears as the NFL's No. 1 defense, the third such distinction in franchise history. They allowed 277.8 yards per game, 4.1 less than Chicago.

"We've had a bunch of guys stick with it," Barber said. "Those were some tough years ... going from the Super Bowl to a 7-9 and then 5-11 season. You don't really feel good about what you're doing professionally. And to have guys stick in here, really believe in what Jon was going to bring to the table this year and to turn it completely around is really important at this point.

"You play for three titles. Obviously, your division title. You want to play for the conference title and you want to play for the Super Bowl. We've got one of those accomplished. We've got two more games to get the second one. I think everybody is excited about where we can be."

For the Bucs, it's a New Year, indeed. And a happy return to the playoffs.

[Last modified January 2, 2006, 04:26:17]