Derrick Brooks sat alone at the end of the bench, knowing a pulled right hamstring in the third quarter had ended his day. Having never missed a game in 14 pro seasons, it was a helpless feeling the 35-year-old had hoped not to experience. The Bucs’ iron man linebacker had finally stopped working. His eyes narrowed, Brooks glared a hole through the Superdome ceiling and stared into an uncertain future. “That’s what that look is, like, ‘Lord, I’ve never been here,’ ” Brooks said. “I didn’t know what to do. It’s frustrating. The plays they had, they’re attacking your position and you’re not in the game. I didn’t even want to watch.” Three plays the defense failed to make Sunday were the difference in the Bucs’ 24-20 loss to the Saints. They enabled quarterback Drew Brees to pass for 343 yards and three touchdowns.   (more)

Bucs Beat:  These questions need some answers

Bucs Report:  Team laments one that got away

Who wants to win more in Florida in 2008? Urban Meyer, Bobby Bowden — or Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama? The contenders took time out of their campaign schedules to pose for the Orlando Sentinel’s annual football preview sections.  Both contenders got equal play in the newspaper, which is also polling online readers to vote for their favorite.

FSU football coach Bobby Bowden finds himself watching the new guy from time to time.

He’s seen enough to be pleased with the way James Coley goes about his business as Florida State’s tight-ends coach.

“I like the way he coaches,” Bowden said. “I like his enthusiasm and his thirst for knowledge.

“He’s a good fit. That was a good call by Jimbo (Fisher). We had about three people we were looking at, and he felt like (Coley) was the best. It looks like we have a good one.”

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