RAIDERS INSIDE LOOK: GANNON: `I WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH' NFL MVP STRUGGLES IN BIGGEST GAME, THROWS FIVE INTERCEPTIONS.Byline: Matt Kredell Staff Writer SAN DIEGO San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. - Rich Gannon's record-breaking season continued in unexpected fashion Sunday. The NFL's Most Valuable Player had his dream year end in a nightmare filled with unnerving un·nerve tr.v. un·nerved, un·nerv·ing, un·nerves 1. To deprive of fortitude, strength, or firmness of purpose. 2. To make nervous or upset. images of Simeon Rice Simeon Rice (born February 24, 1974 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football defensive end who plays for the Denver Broncos. He went to University of Illinois and was drafted in 1996 by Arizona. on his back and defenders dancing into the end zone with his passes. Gannon threw a Super Bowl record five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns, during Oakland's 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay Tampa Bay, inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, 25 mi (40 km) long and 7 to 12 mi (11.3–19 km) wide, W Fla., separated from the Gulf by numerous small islands; it receives the Hillsborough River. St. . ``I made some bad decisions tonight, obviously,'' Gannon said. ``That's just the way it is. I made some poor decisions with the ball and you can't do that in this type of game.'' The biggest stage brought Gannon's worst performance of the year. He had thrown only 10 interceptions in the 16-game regular season before letting five errant passes fly into the hands of Tampa Bay defenders. The Bucs' top-ranked defense frustrated Gannon with pressure throughout the game, sacking him five times and hurrying him many more. ``I just didn't get it done today,'' offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy Tamerlane Lincoln Kennedy (born February 12, 1971) is an American football Offensive tackle, currently signed to the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League. Career High School said. ``I didn't give Rich time. They got a couple of sacks. We got behind the eight ball early. They just got a lot of pressure with their front four.'' The blame had plenty of places to call home. Gannon didn't get much help from his offensive line, receivers or a running game that put up 19 yards, the third-lowest output in a Super Bowl. ``The name of our game is rhythm football,'' said receiver Tim Brown Timothy Donell Brown (born July 22, 1966) is a retired wide receiver, who played in the National Football League. He spent sixteen years with the Oakland Raiders, during which he established himself as one of the League's most prolific wide receivers. , who had one catch for nine yards. ``Rich just wasn't comfortable with what was going on back there. I know he was having a tough time setting his feet. And when he did get the ball off, we made a couple drops and ran a couple bad routes.'' Gannon had trouble against the defensive scheme of former coach Jon Gruden Jon Gruden (born August 17, 1963 in Sandusky, Ohio) is the current head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. Prior to taking over as coach of Tampa Bay, he was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders for 4 years. . Gruden, who sparked Gannon's career after bringing the long-time backup into Oakland four years ago, knew exactly what Gannon would do offensively because he installed the offense. Since he knows Gannon better than anybody, Gruden tried to simulate the quarterback by going behind center himself during Tampa Bay practices this week. ``I have great respect for Rich Gannon Richard Joseph Gannon (born December 20 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former football quarterback, who achieved most of his success late in his career with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League. as a quarterback,'' Gruden said. ``I wanted our team to just get a feel for what it was going to be like with him at command.'' Despite the troubles of his teammates, Gannon put most of the blame on himself. He turned two no-name players on Tampa Bay's Pro Bowl-filled defense into momentary stars. The game was tied 3-3 when Gannon threw his first interception to safety Dexter Jackson Dexter Jackson can refer to
With the Raiders playing comeback in the second half, Gannon forced passes to try to make something happen and three were intercepted and returned for touchdowns. Backup cornerback Dwight Smith set a Super Bowl record by returning two of them. ``It's very frustrating,'' Gannon said. ``I'm disappointed. I wasn't good enough. I feel like I didn't help our football team at all.'' If anyone knows how to handle frustration, it's Gannon. He was never the certain starter until coming to Oakland. This season, though lacking the ending he would like, he was transformed into one of the most feared quarterbacks in the league. ``I had a good season and a terrible night,'' Gannon said. ``I'm not going to kill myself over it. That's the way it goes sometimes. I tried my best but it wasn't good enough.'' CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Ellis Wyms (96) sacks Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, one of five sacks by the Buccaneers. Elise Amendola/Associated Press Box: GANNON FODDER |
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