PHILADELPHIA – Joe Jurevicius did not practice with the Buccaneers this week. He spent time with his wife and newborn son, who was a month premature. That did not stop Jurevicius from making a huge play late in the first quarter of yesterday’s 27-10 Tampa Bay victory in the NFC Championship Game.
Jurevicius left the team to travel home to Ohio, where his son was experiencing health complications. The former Giants receiver rejoined the Bucs Saturday and came up with the second-longest reception in Tampa post-season history.
With the Bucs trailing 7-3, Brad Johnson, starting at his own 24-yard line, hit Jurevicius over the middle and the 6-5 receiver made something happen. He ran past linebacker Barry Gardner, sprinting up the left sideline with a rare burst of speed. Jurevicius also outran safety Blaine Bishop and wasn’t dragged down until he reached the Philly 5 for a 71-yard gain. The Bucs scored two plays later.
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Giants RB Tiki Barber was at the game cheering on his twin brother Ronde, a starting Bucs cornerback. Tiki saw Ronde sack Donovan McNabb and force a fumble on a third-quarter blitz, then led the cheers when Ronde picked off a McNabb pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 92 yards for the clinching touchdown.
Bucs DT Warren Sapp had to leave the field briefly in the second quarter to have a laceration above his right eye attended to … The 70-yard return by Brian Mitchell on the opening kickoff was the longest in Eagles post-season history.
Martin Gramatica’s 48-yard field goal in the first quarter was the longest in Buccaneers’ post-season history … Bucs RB Michael Pittman was forced out in the first quarter with a mild concussion and was replaced by Aaron Stecker.
Tampa’s 96-yard TD drive in the first quarter was the longest in franchise post-season history … Cold? More than one hour before the game, Eagles DE Hugh Douglas ran onto the field in a sleeveless black shirt, much to the delight of the few fans already in the seats.
The Bucs have 13 players on their roster who were on the team in 1999 that lost to the Rams in the NFC title game … Former Giants LB Jack Golden had a special teams tackle for the Bucs.
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Since getting knocked out of the Oct. 20 loss to the Eagles, Brad Johnson has been on fire. He entered yesterday’s game having thrown 17 touchdown passes and only two interceptions in his last seven games for a quarterback rating of 102.9.
Johnson set Buccaneers’ records this season for TD passes, completion percentage, lowest interception percentage and passer rating.
Honorary captains for the game were Wilbert Montgomery for the Eagles and Paul Gruber and Richard Wood for the Bucs.