NFL
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Weekly lineup
Teams

  Friday, Aug. 4 7:30pm ET
Bucs' new offense has its moments
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- For Tampa Bay's new offense, Friday night was a start.

Shaun King was nearly perfect throwing the ball and rookie Joe Hamilton tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Todd Yoder with 1:43 remaining to give the Buccaneers a 13-12 preseason victory over the Washington Redskins.

Shaun King
Shaun King looked sharp Friday night, passing for 104 yards in a 10-for-11 performance that helped the Buccaneers edge the Redskins.

King completed 10 of 11 passes for 104 yards in what was a modest debut for the offense the Bucs are installing after failing to score a touchdown in last season's NFC championship game.

"I think we can do better," said King, the second-year pro who took over the starting quarterback job late in his rookie year. "But we wanted to go out and move the ball and that's what we did, so I can't complain."

Keyshawn Johnson had three receptions for 33 yards in his first action for the Bucs, who acquired the two-time Pro Bowl receiver from the New York Jets for two first-round draft picks this spring.

Rookies LaVar Arrington and Chris Samuels, the second and third picks in the draft, made their debut for Washington. Deion Sanders made a brief appearance, too, as part of the defense the Redskins revamped.

"Our starters were in the game about 13 plays," Washington coach Norv Turner said of the defense, which -- like Tampa Bay's offense -- is learning a new system.

"What I liked about that group, the first time they went on the field -- Tampa had the ball right about midfield -- we made them attempt a 48-yard field goal. We were fortunate they missed it. The second time, Tampa got a couple of first downs and then we were able to get pressure and cause a sack fumble. That's pretty good for two appearances."

Brad Johnson and Jeff George led Washington's offense for a quarter before rookie Todd Husak produced 10 second-half points against Tampa Bay's reserves with help from Eddie Mason's 77-yard interception return.

Chad Dukes scored on a 12-yard, fourth-quarter run and Peter Elezovic kicked field goals of 22 and 24 yards for the Redskins, who couldn't hold a 12-7 lead. Hamilton directed a nine-play, 50-yard drive for Tampa Bay's winning score.

The game was billed a rematch of last year's NFC divisional playoff matchup. But with a number of key players sitting out or playing sparingly, it quickly took on the look of a typical preseason game.

King fumbled twice, losing one; George was intercepted twice by Bucs safety Dexter Jackson, once in the end zone; and Tampa Bay's usually reliable kicker Martin Gramatica missed two field-goal attempts well within his range.

The Redskins said the final score will motivate them.

"I think it was really good that we came back here to play Tampa, a place where we ended our season last year," Johnson said. "It kind of leaves a sour taste in your mouth and kind of keeps you working."

King played a little more than a quarter, working three series and directing a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive on the last possession. He completed his last seven passes, five that totaled 60 yards on the march that Rabih Abdullah finished with a 1-yard touchdown run.

The Bucs didn't waste any time giving Johnson an opportunity to get a sellout crowd behind the offense. He had a 6-yard reception on Tampa Bay's first play from scrimmage, then drew a big ovation when he leaped to make a catch over Sanders for 13 yards before King's first drive stalled.

King set up Abdullah's TD with completions of 14 yards to Johnson and 31 yards to Jacquez Green, who caught the ball slanting across the middle and nearly scored on the only pass Tampa Bay's starter threw downfield.

"We did a good job moving the ball," Johnson said. "Any time you can do that after just getting familiar with a new offense, that's a good start."

The Redskins only gained 157 yards and didn't score a touchdown on offense in their playoff loss to the Bucs in January. And, they didn't have any more success against Tampa Bay's first-team defense this time.

Shawn Barber sacked King, forcing a fumble that Greg Jones recovered at the Bucs 37 to set up Elezovic's 22-yard field goal in the final minute of the opening quarter. Washington didn't threaten again until just before halftime when Jackson intercepted George in the end zone on first down from the Bucs 21.
 


ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard

Washington Clubhouse

Tampa Bay Clubhouse


AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 It was a good first outing for Tony Dungy's Buccaneers.
wav: 109 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 Coach Norv Turner and the Redskins did not treat this as a preseason game.
wav: 107 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 Upset by the loss, Chris Samuels and the Redskins hope to change things.
wav: 70 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6