Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 64

8C TIMES SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2000 BUCS 37, CHIEFS 14 nkniMDimgj Bsadc dto irekBimdlies power, speed Warrick Dunn's 48-yard run, aided by Keyshawn Johnson, is his longest carry since 1998. Tampa Bay continues to be im- pressive in short yardage situa- tions. Both Alstott touchdowns and Dunn's long run came on second or third down situations with two. yards or less to go. The efforts of Alstott and Dunn were complemented by the play of the offensive line and tight end; Patrick Hape.

Guard Frank Mid By ERNEST HOOPER Times Staff Writer "My job is to get in the end zone and I was able to accomplish that" MIKE ALSTOTT Bucs running back on his second-quarter touchdown that" Dunn and Alstott combined for 81 yards on 12 carries for the duo's last week. Dunn, healthy this preseason after limping through the 1999 training camp, had not demonstrated his game-breaking ability with 69 yards on 25 carries before Friday. Without the 48-yard run, Dunn would have had 12 yards on four carries. But if the team follows suit, Dunn should get more carries as the primary back on first and second down. Alstott, who wasn't sure he would play Friday, was thrilled to get a few more carries.

In addition to his second-quarter run, he also scored the team's first touchdown on a 3-yard run through the middle of the defense. part of my game." Said Dunn: "If they were not there, they were going to get yelled at (today). Alstott may have set a record for most broken tackles on a 1-yard touchdown run. He left five would-be tacklers in his wake with a bouncing, spinning run that put the Bucs up 14-7 at the start of the second quarter. "It was a straight lead play and they did a great job congesting the middle," Alstott said of the defense.

"So I bounced out to the left side and the defender had the angle. But I was able to break a few tackles. "My job is to get in the end zone and I was able to accomplish loose for his longest carry in two seasons. On third-and-2, the Bucs went to a spread formation and Dunn slipped through a lane and raced down the right sideline for 48 yards. It was his longest run since a 50-yard carry in the November 1998 game against Minnesota.

The highlight of the play was a powerful stiff-arm against corner-back Eric Warfield. He also got key blocks from receivers Keyshawn Johnson and Reidel Anthony. "It's something well all be doing, not just me," Johnson said of receivers blocking. "It's one of the reasons why they gave up two No. 1 picks and paid the guy some money, to not only catch passes but also block when he's not catching passes.

That's always been a TAMPA For most of the preseason, the Bucs rushing game was more like Russian Roulette. On Friday.Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott were fully loaded and firing away. Tampa Bay's WD-40 combination averaged 6.75 yards a carry and both had impressive runs to help the Bucs take a 20-7 halftime lead. In the first quarter, Dunn broke dleton said he was thrilled to see; Dunn return to his old form. "Just like last year, our bread and butter is going to be the Middleton said.

"If we can't we can't win. Just to see Mike do his thing and Dunn get back in the' open like he did in '97 and '98, it just makes you think your job is going to be so much easier when those guys start running like ST" Mil 1 A I aV LlA.a,,,' 1 most productive rushing effort of the preseason. Alstott missed the first two games resting a strained hamstring, and had 18 yards on five carries against New England Gramatica regains his form TAMPA He struggled for most of the preseason, missing his first three field goal attempts and clanging balls off the post during practice. So concerned was kicker Mar-tin Gramatica NOTEBOOK that his father, Guillermo, attended practice one day this week and stood under a goal post to give his son encouragement It worked. Gramatica not only connected on all three field goal attempts from 27, 36 and 41 yards but he hammered his first two kickoffs into the end zone and put the third on the goal line.

Gramatica, who converted 27 of 32 field goal attempts last season and set a Bucs scoring record with 106 points, celebrated in his usual exuberant manner, either high-fiv-ing or jumping on every lineman. It was quite a contrast to earlier in the preseason, when the former Kansas State standout seemed incapable of kicking off in bounds and missed on a career-worst three straight field goals. "It felt really good to know I can kick again," Gramatica said. "I felt real confident and relaxed out there. That was the problem before I was trying to make sure I made the kick instead of just kicking it." SETTING THE TONE: Cornerback Donnie Abraham is off to a strong start.

Abraham had seven interceptions last season, returning two for touchdowns, an effort many Bucs players and coaches thought should have been rewarded with a spot in the Pro Bowl. Abraham made a statement early against Kansas City, batting away an Elvis Grbac pass on the game's first play, then intercepting Grbac two plays later. His 12-yard return to the Chiefs' 12 set up a Bucs touchdown. "We had been scouting that play all week, so when I noticed it, I jumped all over it," Abraham said. ON FIRE: Veteran backup defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson had two first-half sacks one each against Todd Collins and Warren Moon and added a tackle for a 6-yard loss early in the third quarter.

ON FIRE II: Rookie linebacker Nate Webster, who blocked a punt against New England a week ago, continued to impress. He recovered a fumble in the third quar- Times photo TONI L. SANDYS Kicker Martin Gramatica celebrates with long snapper Morris Unutoa after nailing his second of three field goals, a 36-yarder. Time photo BILL SERNE Bucs linebacker Nate Webster eludes Darnell Alford on a fumble return that set up an Aaron Stecker TD. Bucs fromIC 7 je JOHNNY ON THE SPOT: Todd Sauerbrun's 66-yard punt in the second quarter seemed to pin the Bucs deep in their territory.

But after hesitating, returner Karl Williams picked up the bouncing ball at the 8-yard line. He gained 17 yards on the return before rookie linebacker Mike Maslowski punched the ball out of his hands. The airborne ball landed in the hands of receiver Yo Murphy 4 yards upfiekl. BUCS BITS: Fullback Kevin, McLeod is continuing to receive tests for the chest discomfort that has sidelined him since Wednesday. The second-year player twice visited St.

Joseph's Hospital this week. McLeod Was at the stadium early Friday but did not stay for the game. Team doctors still are trying to determine the problem Free safety Damien Robinson made his first appearance of the preseason after sitting out with a hamstring injury. He had one tackle. Backup guard Kevin Dogins left in the third quarter with a right shoulder sprain Former Jefferson High star Kirby Dar Dar is back with the Chiefs after being cut in last year's preseason.

He led the team with two catches for 57 yards, including a long of 42, and returned two kickoffs for 44 yards. ROGER MILLS, SHARON GINN ter and returned it 24 yards, setting up Aaron Stecker's 3-yard touchdown run on the next play. Later in the quarter, Webster batted down a pass by Moon at the Bucs' 1. BALL HOGS: The Bucs have created 17 turnovers this preaseason, compared with eight in last year's preseason. Entering the game, their total of 13 turnovers was the best in the league and their plus-7 turnover ratio was tops in the NFC.

YOUR END ZONE, SIR: In the first quarter, receiver Keyshawn Johnson virtually escorted receiver Reidel Anthony and running back Warrick Dunn downfield on big plays. He blocked for Anthony on a 37-yard pass, then helped Dunn get his longest run in two years, a 48-yarder that got the Bucs to the 17-yard line. That play helped set up a 1-yard Mike Alstott touchdown. HEAVY HIT: The Chiefs likely were going to give Grbac only two or three drives as a final tuneup, but Bucs defensive end Marcus Jones may have hastened their decision. On the Chiefs' second drive, facing a third-and-3 at their 44, Jones plowed into Grbac as he released the ball.

Grbac remained on the turf for 2 minutes before walking off. X-rays of his ribs were negative and he is expected to be ready for the opener. SUMMARY 5 jar fk -rw -m some of our offensive weapons can do. That was positive," Bucs coach Tony Dungy said. "We got the turnovers on defense.

I thought Martin kicked the ball really well tonight He looked like he was back in the groove. So there wasn't a lot to be negative about "I still don't think we're at the point we're going to be on offense. I think our offense is going to be dynamite as we get into this thing. It takes time. I didn't have any illusions of us being great overnight But I just think our weaponry is there.

We've got five Pro Bowl players on offense, so we feel we're going to be able to move the ball." Thanks to some nifty running by Dunn and Alstott and tenacious downfield blocking by the receivers, the Bucs had 5.2 yards per carry in the first half. Tampa Bay finished with 139 yards on the ground and got a rushing score from rookie Aaron Stecker. Dunn showed explosion on his 48-yard run his longest in any game since 1998 which was made possible by the blocking escort of Pro Bowl receiver Keyshawn Johnson. "That one long run, I saw Keyshawn blocking and I tried to think in my four years here how many times I saw a wide receiver just dog somebody like that," Bucs guard Frank Middleton said. Alstott showed power by reversing field, breaking five tackles and bulldozing his way for an incredible 1-yard touchdown run.

King, who struggled Sunday at New England, went 4-for-5 passing for 62 yards with one interception while leading the Bucs on two touchdown drives. He finished the preseason 32-for-52 for 430 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. "I thought we were sharp tonight offensively," he said. "We were able to move the ball well. We had one turnover, but we were able to come back and respond right away with a touchdown.

It's always important as a unit that we can overcome that adversity." King's only mistake provided the Chiefs with their first touchdown. His pass thrown behind Jac-quez Green was deflected and intercepted by Donnie Edwards, who returned it 61 yards. "Shaun's doing better," Dungy said. "He had one bad throw tonight But overall, I thought he handled the game very well." RELD GOALS 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 Chiefs 6 31 04 0 12 0 5 4 82 00 0 37 1 30 18 181 CM) 0 39 1 Hamilton King Totals Ug 1-19 20-29 30-39 4049 0-0 1-1 1-1 1-1 RUSHING Att Yds Avg 68 6.0 11 PUNT RETURNS No FC Yds 25 3 10 Gramatica Totals Chiefs Kitchings Dar Dar touchback Totals Bucs Williams Hastings Stecker Totals Chiefs TD 1 0 0 0 0 1 TD 0 0 2 0 1 3 LO 29 6 7 10 0 29 LO 48 12 6 8 3 48 Chiefs Moreau Shay Cloud Shenee Dennett Totals Buca Dunn Abdullah Alstott Hamilton Stecker Totals Times photo JOSEPH GARNETT JR. Blake Spence forces a fumble by the Chiefs' Desmond Kitchings that Bucs teammate David Gibson picked up and returned for six points.

1 1 4 No 3 2 1 8 0 18 Yds 41 28 9 4.2 S3 10.0 1.3 4.7 Avg 12.0 3.6 3.0 34 1.0 4.3 6 3 1 3 24 Att 5 10 7 5 32 16 10 -4 113 Yds 60 38 21 17 5 139 TB 18 a 7 3 6-13 320 62 52 139 32 4.3 181 0- 0 181 18-30 1 60 8-2-0 5-468 0 04 157 6-78 347 1-12 1042 1- 0 34:18 KC 3 1 5-14 0-1 251 60 SO 113 24 47 138 2- 11 149 13-24 1 53 3-CM) 6-625 0 (Ml 247 4- 18 8-168 1-81 11-97 3-3 25:44 0-0 41 LO TD 6 0 8 0 0 0 8 0 LO TD 21 0 14 0 9 0 21 LG TD 34 0 24 0 34 0 LG TD 35 0 17 0 15 0 35 0 RRST DOWNS Ruhing Passing Penalty THIRD DOWN Eff FOURTH DOWN EfT TOTAL NET YARDS Tout Plays Avg Gain NET YARDS RUSHING Rushes Avgpernnh NET YARDS PASSING Sadted-Ydslott Gross-Yds passing Completed-An. Had Intercepted Yards-Pass Play KICKOfFS-EndZone-TB PUNTS-Avg. Punts Mocked FGs-PATs Mocked TOTAL RETURN YDG Punts Returns Kick tffi Returns Irrterceptiom PENALTIES-Yds FUMBLES-Lost TIME OF POSSESSION 6 78 KrCKOFF RETURNS No RECEIVING Yds Yds 126 44 168 Yds 35 17 15 TD 0 6 2 8 No 1 1 1 57 Kitchings Dar Oar Totals Bucs Stecker Murphy "Green Totals 3 87 DEFENSIVE SPECIAL TEAMS STATISTICS Tackkrs-assists-eacks Kansas Crtv: Bartm a.t-0 7 0 0 7-14 7 13 7 10-37 Kansas City Tampa Bay FIRST QUARTER 31 15 15 9 7 6 149 Yds 43 27 20 37 12 181 Walker 4-1-0, George 44-0, Atkins 4-00, Gray 340, O'Neal 30, Parten 3-CM), Maslouski 2-10, Bush 1-2-0, Hasty 1-2-0 Dennis 2-00, Patton 2-0O, Woods 2-00, Word 2-0-0, Ed-wsrds lOO, Clemens 1O0, McClesry 100, Ranson 100 Riley 1O0. Suite 1-0-0, Warfield 0-1O. Tampa Bay: Marshall 410, Singleton 3-2-1, Gooch 2-20, Jackson 32, Duncan 2-10, Quartos 20-1, Webstar 1-20, Bradley 200, Darby 2O0, Berber 1-10, Popovich MO, Brooks 1O0, Gibson 1-0-0, Howsrd lOO, Kelly 100, Mallard 1O0, Morelend 1O0, Sepp lOO, Young 1O0, Cannida 0-1O, McFarland 0-10, Robinson 0-1O.

The Bucs easily won the turnover battle. They entered the game with an NFLleading 13 takeaways and added four on three fumble recoveries and an interception. "The turnovers have been great," said Dungy, whose team recovered all 10 fumbles it forced in the preseason. "This is kind of what I'm used to, and for 3 years we really didn't have it here. I couldn't figure out why not-But we seem to be in that mode where we're attacking the football and we're making things happen." The offense under new coordinator Les Steckel simply dominated the first half.

Tampa Bay out-gained the Chiefs 236 yards to 44, was 5-for-7 on third-down conversions and led in time of possession 18:23 to 11:37. But the most encouraging sign was the rebirth of the running game. Dunn rushed for 60 yards on just five carries and Alston's nose for the end zone was in regular-season form. In the end, the Bucs might have accomplished what they wanted in the preseason. Their defense is playing solid and forcing turnovers.

They are running the football, throwing it accurately and catching it cleanly. The special teams are improved. In fact Dungy might have a difficult time cutting his roster to the NFLmandated 53 players by 4 p.m. Sunday. "It's the type of performance we have been waiting for all season," Dungy said.

Now if they could just repeat it when it counts Sept 3 at New England. 13 No 18 LG 42 20 9 13 6 9 7 6 42 LG 39 17 11 6 6 2 37 12 9 6 6 2 39 LG 61 LG 12 Avg. 568 460 52 5 Avg. 368 Chiefs Dar Dar Moreau Lockett Morris Gall Stnhee Bennett Parker Totals Bucs Hastings Williams Murphy Abdullah Whelm Lusk Anthony Jonas Johnson Hspa Spence Yoder Totals Chiefs Edwards Buca Abraham Chiefs Seuerbrun Gallery Totals Bucs Royals 0 0 0 0 0 0 TD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TD 1 TD 0 LK 66 56 66 LK 50 TB-Alstott 3 tun (Grsmatica kiek. 12:22.

KC Edwards 61 imefcsption return (Stoyanovich IdcJt), SECOND QUARTER TB Alston 1 run (Gramatica ktk, 14:51. TP FG Gramatica 27, 2:15. TB FG Gramatica 36. 07. THIRD QUARTER TB Stecker 3 run (Gramatica kick.

11:59. FOURTH QUARTER TB FG Gramatica 41, 11:17. TB-Gson 3 fumble return (Gramatica kick). 11:03. KC Moreau 23 run (Stoyanovich kick), 8:05.

A-64J67. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS PASSING SCHEDULE REGULAR SEASON September 3 at New England, 1 10 Chicago, 1 17 at 24 -New York Jets. 4: 15 Chkrfs At Cp Yd. TkYd TD 1-3 INTERCEPTIONS No Yda 1 61 No Vda 1 12 PUNTING No Yda 4 223 2 92 6 31 No Yda i 234 1 at Washington, 4: 15 9 at Minnesota, 9 I Moon 4 81 Whrls 7 4 38 Grbac 8 2 15 Codins 3 3 IS Totals 24 13 149 Bucs At Cp Vda Zeisr 16 8 86 00 0 0 1-6 0 2-11 0 TkYd TD OO 0 15 Open 19 Detroit, 8:30 29 Mmnasota, 1 i.