By Sean Salisbury
Special to ESPN.com
Derrick Brooks creates a lot of mismatches because he's a rare combination of speed and physicality. But Rich Gannon has eyes in the back of his head. He's got a sense that allows him to look one way and throw the other. And he's at a point in his career where everything has clicked mentally, emotionally and physically.
Gannon will be so mentally prepared that he'll know when Brooks is going to drop back before Brooks drops. Gannon is psychotic about preparation -- and I mean that with the utmost respect. He's a nut case to the point that when defensive cards are held up in practice indicating where to go, if someone goes to the wrong spot, Gannon will be across the line and in their face. He'll correct his teammates and his coaches.
Gannon is great from a physical standpoint, but his mental ability to stay away from Brooks and create mismatches will be the difference. I wouldn't want to face off against Brooks, because he's the NFL's best defensive player. But I give a slight advantage to Gannon because of his feet and his head.
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By Mike Golic
Special to ESPN.com
When the Bucs play their zone, they are so disciplined. They don't get pulled out of their area on crossing routes. Rich Gannon likes to look defensive players off to get them to drift. But the Bucs do an excellent job of not drifting.
Oakland's passing game likes to attack the middle of the field between the hash marks. But when you look at the middle of the field for Tampa Bay, you 'll find Derrick Brooks as well as Warren Sapp and John Lynch. They all do a nice job of not drifting out of there. And once the ball is thrown, they do a fantastic job reacting to the ball and not allowing a lot of yards after the catch.
Once their on the field, all of the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year accolades go out the window in this matchup. Players don't care what you've done thus far. They don't care who was voted what, and who is going to the Pro Bowl or who got snuffed. Once the ball is kicked. None of that matters.
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