Friday, Jan. 11, 2002

Key wild-card matchup: Eagles DE Hugh Douglas vs. Buccaneers OT Kenyatta Walker

Tampa Bay looks to erase memories of last season’s playoff meeting with its top draft pick

By Jeff Agrest, Senior editor

With that undoubtedly in the back of their minds, the Buccaneers traded up in the first round of last April’s NFL draft to select Florida OT Kenyatta Walker at No. 14. Walker, it was thought, would fill the Bucs’ greatest need. He was by far and away the top-rated offensive lineman on the team’s draft board.

Now the Bucs must cash in on their investment. After struggling out of the gate, Walker has improved his play down the stretch, but the question is whether he has improved enough to match wits with Douglas. The two will lock horns Saturday in the first NFC wild-card game, which will kick off at 4:30 p.m. EST at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

Douglas turned in the pivotal play of last season’s playoff meeting, forcing Bucs QB Shaun King to fumble deep in his own territory. Douglas had badly beaten Hegamin to reach the unsuspecting quarterback, and the Eagles recovered the ball on the 15-yard line. Four plays later, QB Donovan McNabb scored on a five-yard run, giving the Eagles a 7-3 lead.

They went on to win 21-3.

"We’ve got to be aware of him, and we were aware of him last year," Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy said of Douglas. "He’s a special player and a special rusher. He’s a guy that we’ve got to hopefully not let get started. We have to make sure we bump him and chip him and maybe play the tight end on the left side a little bit more to help Kenyatta out."

Douglas finished the season with 9 1/2 sacks and 27 hurries, both team highs. However, he was 5 1/2 sacks shy of his 2000 total, a product of a second-half slump that had many scouts questioning his spot in the Pro Bowl. Nevertheless, Douglas is a gifted player who is hungry for a ring after falling short last season.

"I want some jewelry," Douglas said. "They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Well, they’re mine too. Who just wants to qualify for the playoffs? You play this game to win the Super Bowl. What did we get for winning the division — a T-shirt and a hat? You wash that T-shirt a few times, and you wear that hat a few times, and they’re old and dingy."

Walker and the Bucs’ offensive line have come on of late. Entering its meaningless Week 17 game against the Eagles, Tampa Bay allowed just one sack in its previous three games. It marked the Bucs’ best three-game stretch of the season in that department, and Walker did his part, earning Douglas’ respect.

"I haven’t played against him, but from what I’ve seen on film, he’s real quick," Douglas said. "He’s got good lateral movement, and he punches real well. He’s a real bright guy. You would like to think that six years’ experience over him would be beneficial, but I think he’s going to be ready to play."

Said Walker, who moved to left tackle after playing right tackle in college: "The spotlight has been on me all season. My confidence has been torn up and ripped apart — and I’m still here. I made it through the good, the bad and the ugly. I got another game this week. And yes, he’s a good player. But shoot, so am I."

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