Antonio Bryant hasn't played a down of football since the Bucs trip to London nearly a month ago.

But after missing the last two games with a swollen left knee, Bryant is probable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs franchise player participated in his third consecutive practice Friday.

"I feel better...You’re supposed to feel better when you take two weeks off,'' Bryant said. "That’s a long time in the league. Everything looks good. I just have to do what I have to do as far as maintaining good health. I’ve never been hurt. It’s all new to me. I’m just trying to do all the right things to keep from continuing to get hurt.

"We’re a long way from getting where we want to be, but we’re not completely out of the situation. That’s just what I want everybody to acknowledge. And I know I have what it takes to go and change the whole complexion of a game. I can change the outcome. I just need to focus, lock in and go out there and compete.''

Coach Raheem Morris stopped just short of proclaiming Bryant's return was a certainty.   

"It was encouraging,'' Morris said of Bryant. "There's no guarantee, you don't know what's going to happen overnight as far as the knee. We've just got to be hopeful and be wishful. But it was an encouraging week for Antonio as compared to the last couple.

"He looked decent. He's looked as good as he's looked all year as far as coming out to practice. You've got to get him into the game and see where we can go from there.''

Meanwhile, cornerback Elbert Mack, who has been battling a right ankle sprain, was added to the injury list as questionable.

"He's been fighting it and banged it again. We've just got to get to the game and make a game-time decision,'' Morris said of Mack.

That's signifant because the Saints like to deploy three receiver sets, forcing teams to play an extra defensive back. If Mack is out, veteran Torrie Cox would like take his place. But Cox is one of the Bucs' premier special teams players and the Bucs may also have to rely on Derrick Roberson.

Quarterback Byron Leftwich (elbow), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Cadillac Williams (knee) and TE Kellen Winslow (knee) are probable.

Bryant is fourth on the Bucs in receiving with 16 catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Even with the Bucs at 1-8, he insists he's not giving up on his team making the post-season.

"I want to go out the best we can go out,'' Bryant said. "Call me crazy, but in my mind, it’s never over. I’ve been in situations where people thought it was over, and six seconds later, it wasn’t over. And I’ve caught game-winners numerous times. It’s a mindset. I think I know how to get into that zone. I want this to be the longest seven games in the history of my career. Definitely it’s got to be the best, from all of us.''

Asked about the Saints and this Sunday's impending matchup with his former college teammate, Bucs TE Kellen Winslow had a little message for New Orleans LB Jon Vilma.

The two played together at the University of Miami. Winslow was asked how their practice matchups typically ended.

"You can ask Vilma," Winslow said, smiling. "Vilma couldn’t guard me. D.J. (Williams) couldn’t guard me. Sean Taylor couldn’t guard me – respect (Taylor was murdered two years ago). None of those guys could guard me. And they’ll tell you the same thing. Vilma probably won’t. But I owned those guys."

When I told Winslow we'd be more than happy to pass along his comments, he grinned and said, "It’s all in fun."

Of course, that doesn't mean it isn't true.

On an unrelated note, I asked Winslow about the several occasions last Sunday on which he made precise open-field moves and was able to rack up some yards after catches. That's not something we've seen from him very much in his time as a Buccaneer.

"I’m just playing ball, trying to make people miss," he said. "I just haven’t had a lot of chances to break a tackle. They’re right there when I catch it. This last week, I got a chance to get away."

Bucs safety Tanard Jackson is on a roll, having produced at least one turnover in each of his last four games.

Jackson has three interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery during that stretch while the Bucs have struggled to stop the run.

Perhaps that's why Jackson said he's looking forward to playing the Saints and Drew Brees, the league's fourth-rank quarterback in passing yards.

"I told Ronde (Barber) earlier this week I love playing this team,'' Jackson said. "As good as they are this year, their on a roll, an unbeaten team and we're having a down year, but I love playing this team. You get to make plays on some balls. You know they're going to throw 45, 50 times a game. We just have to do our job. It's a challenge for us - definitely. But I think we're up for it.''

Jackson was suspended for the first four games of the season under the league's substance abuse policy. He said being away from football helped change his preparation habits.

"Things have been going my way as far as that. I've been able to make some good reads on the ball as far as the quarterback's eyes,'' Jackson said. "The fumble recovery (in Miami), that's everybody out there making a play and me having an opportuniuty to be around the ball. Like I said before, I think my approach is a little different. I'd been away those four weeks, and being able to get back to what I love to do, being back with my teammates, I would say my approach to the game and my preparation is a little different now.''

Jackson also said the new defensive system under Jim Bates allows him more freedom to making plays on  the football.

"No question, we're free a lot of times in the back end of this matchup defense, which allows us to make plays on the ball, it allows us to read the quarterback's eyes,'' Jackson said. "We've been getting some pressure up front and that helps a little bit, too, when you've got some guys in the quarterback's face, forcing him to make some bad throws and some bad decisions. So it works hand-in-hand. We need both to make those plays.''

Of course, Brees is the master of looking defenders off with his eyes before delivering a strike.

"That's what he does,'' Jackson said. "Fortunately, we've had the oportunity to play him twice a year, so we've got a good feel for him and what he does. He does like to do that, he's probably the best in the business as far as looking at a receiver and coming back the other way. It's a credit to him. He's a great quarterback in this league with great weapons. We just have to play disciplined football and be where we're supposed to be and try to create some turnovers, which I think we've had success with the past three weeks.''

This is probably going to be our last mention of WR Michael Clayton's apparent catch on Sunday that eventually was ruled an interception.

Earlier this evening, on NFL Network, league vice president of officiating Mike Pereira did his regular segment that takes a look at a debated call from the previous weekend. This week, the first play on his agenda was the one that led to an argument that got Bucs coach Raheem Morris fined $20,000.

Pereira articulates the details pretty well and makes some decent points. It's worth watching whether or not you agree. At issue, he said, is the fact that Clayton's second foot does not make contact with the ground before the defender collides with him. Under that scenario, the rules have been amended to require that a player must maintain contact with the ball all the way through the process of hitting the ground. Here's the problem: Pereira never addresses at what point that process ends. Considering Clayton had rolled completely over with a defender on top of him and had started to get up, this seemed pertinent.

"If he comes down with both feet, so he's planted with both feet on the ground, then he is hit by a defender and knocked to the ground and the ball comes out, (then it's a) catch," Pereira said. "Down by contact because he is not deemed to be going to the ground. So, that's the key.

"Then it's (a) catch and down by contact, as opposed to being hit before you get both feet on the ground. Now, you're going to the ground and have to hold on to the ball throughout that whole process. The ball never hit the ground."

Well into the process, the ball squirted out and Miami LB Jason Taylor scooped it up for what was deemed an interception.

Bucs coach Raheem Morris just divulged that he was fined $20,000 by the NFL, likely for his in-game conduct to officials during Sunday's game.

Morris was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the second quarter against the Dolphins. Back judge Greg Wilson assessed the penalty.

Morris declined to criticize officials in his comments to the media, but he admitted to using foul language against the officials.

The dispute stemmed from a would-be reception by Michael Clayton that was ruled an interception by Jason Taylor after a replay review. After Morris' penalty, the Dolphins took possession at the Tampa Bay 8-yard line and went on to score a pivotal touchdown. 

"I learned my lesson," Morris said. "It was my fault. I made a mistake. No doubt about it."

-- Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer

WR Antonio Bryant, who has missed the past two games with a recurring knee injury, is back on the practice field today.

However, he indicated this morning that it's still too early to say for certain whether he'll be able to play against New Orleans on Sunday.

Asked about an NFL.com report that cited a league source as saying Bryant was expected to return Sunday, Bryant said, "I didn't say that. I didn't say nothing. I just say (interview) the guys that are playing."

Asked whether he was feeling better after two games off, Bryant said, "I'm trying to do my thing, man. We'll see."

Bryant maintained his stance that the decision too hold him out the past two games was made by the organization and not by him. That position has been echoed by coach Raheem Morris on more than one occasion.

DE Stylez White, who missed Sunday's game with a shoulder injury, appears on pace to return to action. He also is practicing today and has made progress.

The Bucs are encouraged that guard Arron Sears has returned to the team but general manager Mark Dominik said it would be 'wishful thinking,' for the third year pro to contribute in 2009.

“I would say it would in my mind wishful thinking to think he could contribute this year because he has to get in football shape, number one,'' Dominik said. "He’s got to get comfortable in a playbook that he doesn’t know, number two. And that’s a lot to ask over the last seven weeks of the regular season.''

Dominik said Sears will be working with strength and conditioning coach Kurtis Shultz and will not practice with the team or attend meetings, even though he is eligible to do so. The Bucs also are not making Sears available to the media this week.

The Bucs have a two-week roster exemption with Sears before they have to decide to place him on another reserve list or activate him.

“It’s been a difficult process,'' Dominik said. "He’s spent a lot of time working through this and I would say over the last couple weeks it’s kind of come to this date where we were comfortable enough.

Dominik said the Bucs put Sears through a conditioning test last week and he wasn't in shape.

“Not great. I mean the guy hasn’t played organized football since early April, so he needs to work on getting himself in physical condition,'' Dominik said.

“The only thing I can say is I’m proud of Arron, his family, his agent for working through that and the league has helped as well. It’s a combined effort.

Bucs guard Arron Sears, who has not been with the team since March while resolving 'personal issues,' has been reinstated.

Under terms of the reinstatement, the team will have a two-week exemption in which Sears will not count against the 53-man roster. During that time, he will be able to practice with the team and attend all club activities.

Sears was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list on July 31, 2009.

"We welcome Arron back to the team,'' general manager Mark Dominik said. "Throughout this process, we have remained in close contact with Arron and his agent and this is a good opportunity to integrate himself back into our football team.''

A second-round draft pick in 2007, Sears briefly attended the team's off-season workout program and the first voluntary minicamp under coach Raheem Morris. But teammates noticed Sears was more withdrawn than normal and at one point he became non-verbal, writing down answers to questions on paper. Sears abruptly left the Bucs after that.

A two-year starter at left guard, Sears missed one game last season with a concussion. But there have been no indications that his problem is related to that injury.

Sears was replaced at left guard this season by Jeremy Zuttah, a second-year pro from Rutgers.

The Bucs are ranked 25th in the NFL, averaging 98.8 yards per game.

The Saints -- this weekend's Bucs opponent -- have not been known for their defensive prowess in recent years, their high-octane offense typically overshadowing its counterpart.

The New Orleans defense isn't necessarily overpowering opponents, but it is getting stops when necessary, something that has helped the Saints remain undefeated. One reason for that is the secondary, which is much improved over the units that were regularly torched in recent seasons.

The Saints lead the NFL in interceptions, which tells us two things: They are making quarterbacks throw under duress and they have some opportunistic players in the secondary. For both of those reasons, Bucs rookie QB Josh Freeman is going to have to be sharp on Sunday. He is going to have to feel the pass rush better than he did against the Dolphins. He also needs to be smart about when he can and can't take chances at squeezing throws into tight spaces.

The good news is that Freeman is smart and he's accurate. The bad news is the Saints have S Darren Sharper, whose seven interceptions rank second in the NFL. CB Jabari Greer, a former Buffalo Bill, was also a good addition. And it can't be overstated what a difference the hiring of aggressive coordinator Gregg Williams has made. 

The Bucs' own pass defense has been showing slight improvement. It is ranked 15th in the league in yards allowed, and Tampa Bay's 59.9 percent opponent completion rate is actually better than that of the Ravens and Cowboys. Still, the secondary still has its work cut out for it against New Orleans QB Drew Brees.

Perhaps the more revealing matchup is that of Freeman against a secondary that will test him like few others.

Mike Pereira  the NFL's vice president of officiating, has informed the Bucs he agrees with the instant replay reversal that resulted in an interception by the Dolphins' Jason Taylor Sunday.

On Monday, Pereira reviewed the controversial play that took place near the end of the first half of Sunday's 25-23 loss in Miami.

Bucs receiver Michael Clayton appeared to make an 11-yard catch at the Tampa Bay 15 with 1:43 remaining in the half. After Clayton's body hit the ground, the ball squirted out and into the hands of Taylor.
 
Referee Tony Corrente huddled with his crew and ruled the pass incomplete. But the play was reviewed and Corrente ruled that Clayton didn't maintain possession after he hit the ground. Taylor was awarded an interception.

Morris received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for arguing the call, setting up the Dolphins at the Bucs' 8-yard line. Two plays later, Kory Sperry's 5-yard touchdown catch gave Miami a 16-6 lead.

Statistics never tell the whole tale, but the Bucs' defensive numbers against the run seem to tell an ugly story.

With Tampa Bay allowing 167.3 rushing yards per game (third worst in the league) and 4.9 yards per carry (tied for second worst), it's impossible to ignore the problem.

After Sunday's game, in which the Dolphins rushed for 199 yards -- including a 45-yard run by Ronnie Brown that was the longest against the Bucs this season -- coach Raheem Morris was grilled this morning on the performance of his run defense. That led to what sounded like a surprising admission.

"We’re just not made right now to knock people back," Morris said. "That’s not how we’re cut. We don’t have big, intimidating linebackers or big, intimidating linemen. We have to hit you. We have to be perfect."

That's at the very least a suggestion the Bucs aren't built to play the aggressive style of defense they now employ, one that requires defenders to make physical plays at the point of attack.

Morris added, "We don’t have the big people, the big personnel that you need to knock out runs, the physical person up front that absolutely dominates the block and gets the tackle for loss for a third-and-13. We’ll get there or we’ll find those guys. We’ll get out there and get them. But we have to play with the guys that we have and they have to continue to play the way they played yesterday as far as having five series with three-and-out, having two series with a four-and-out and having two turnovers. We have to get the big guys in there and let them play a little bit."

When pressed as to why, then, the Bucs didn't do a better job of stacking the roster with personnel that could perform such tasks, Morris simply said the team won't decide until the offseason who does and doesn't fit. Those who can't do it will be judged later, he said.

"Ryan (Sims) has got to be evaluated just like all of us," Morris said. "You have to evaluate Dre Moore. We’ll have a chance to evaluate all those guys: The Kyle Moores, the Michael Bennetts -- all the guys that we have. We’ll have to make a decision at the end of the season. But right now, they have to get better. We have to go out there and get better with technique. We have to go out there and see somebody make a splash play."

The irony here is that Morris, general manager Mark Dominik and defensive coordinator Jim Bates were asked frequently during the offseason whether the players on the roster would fit the style of scheme the team is now using. Because many of the current players were drafted or acquired by the former regime to play in former coordinator Monte Kiffin's scheme, it seemed like quite a leap to assume they could make the switch.

One thing seems certain: Morris and his staff will be watching closely the rest of the season to see who can and can't make the transition.

With one timeout and the ball on the Dolphins 16-yard line, quarterback Chad Henne drove his team 77 yards in five plays to set up Dan Carpenter's game-winning 25-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.

The Bucs started by playing their old Tampa Two defense, but Henne hit receiver Davone Bess for a 25-yard gain. Then the Bucs went back to their two-man matchup zone. Linebacker Geno Hayes was penalized 9-yards for a defensive pass interference penalty on tight end Joey Haynos. Then Henne hit Bess for a gain of 16 yards over cornerback Derrick Roberson, who was signed from the practice squad this week.

Roberson was in the game because Elbert Mack has an ankle sprain and Torrie Cox left the game after the kickoff with cramps.

On second-and-10 from midfield, the Bucs tried to run blitz by running back Ricky Williams broke containment and rushed for 27 yards.

Morris said the second-guessing began after the game.

"I did that all night, thanks,'' Morris said. "It's one of those things where you say what would you do differently. The coverage I wouldn't change. You want play two man, but maybe you do bring a guy in two man (coverage) or some kind of two man blitzing coverage. But realistically, it's your guys versus their guys and you just want your guys to win in that situation. We've just got to believe in that.

"It's easy to do that. Ronde Barber called me last night and apologized because he second-guessed the first call (Tampa Two). He said, 'I shouldn't have done that. What am I doing? That's what we do.' It's just one of those things, it's an natural reaction to second-guess yourself. Of course me, being critical of myself, I definitely did that. I did that all night.''

Bucs defensive end Stylez G. White said he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Saints.

White, who had three sacks in three games since replacing Gaines Adams at right defensive end, missed Sunday's game at Miami with a shoulder injury.

White said he had been losing strength in his left shoulder/trapezius muscle and needed to rest it.

"I definitely anticipate playing this week,'' White said. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm playing. I'm cleared to go. Ready to go.

But coach Raheem Morris did not sound as confident about White's return.

"I think he'll practice this week. I'm not sure where he is. I'll have to see. We'll know more about it Wednesday.''

White, who did not accompany the Bucs to Miami, said it was difficult watching the team collapse in the final 1:14.

"It was tough,'' White said. "We work hard and to see Josh (Freeman), how he played, and the defense -- it's so close yet so far away.''

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said Monday he has moved on from the replay reversal that led to a Dolphins touchdown near the end of the first half of Sunday's 25-23 loss in Miami.

Bucs receiver Michael Clayton appeared to make an 11-yard catch at the Tampa Bay 15 with 1:43 remaining in the half. After Clayton's body hit the ground, the ball squirted out and into the hands of Miami's Jason Taylor.
 
On-field officials called the pass incomplete. But a booth review overturned the call, ruling that Clayton didn't maintain possession after he hit the ground. Taylor was awarded an interception.

Click here for analysis by Gary Shelton and more photos of the Bucs' loss to the Dolphins

Morris was penalized after arguing a controversial instant replay reversal of a Josh Freeman pass that was ruled incomplete to Michael Clayton.

Referee Tony Corrente reversed the ruling after watching replays, saying that Clayton never had possession of the ball before he hit the ground and the pass was intercepted by defensive end Jason Taylor.

The penalty on Morris was 7-yards -- half the distance to the goal. Tight end Kory Sperry scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Chad Henne.

“This loss is solely on me,'' Morris said. "At the end of the half, getting a personal foul is totally unacceptable. I’m taking those points, that’s on me, that’s how much we lost by. I should be given all the blame for that. That’s a discipline issue on my part and I didn’t do the right thing. That’s a great lesson for me as a young coach, that’s a great lesson for my team.

“I used the wrong type of language to the official. It was a little bit of a taunt deal. But I used the wrong type of language. I’m completely guilty. It’s my fault.

The Bucs reclaimed the lead on Cadillac Williams' 1-yard touchdown run with 1:14 remaining in the game. But with no timeouts, Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne drove his team 77 yards in five plays to set up Dan Carpenter's game-winning 25-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.

"No doubt, we’ve got to finish off games and it’s my job to get the right people out there and get the right people on the field,'' Morris said. "We’ve got to do that. Every man has got to hold himself accountable. I’m sure there’s going to be some men who look themselves in the mirror and feel like they lost this game. I lost this game at half time.''

Morris said he did not get an explanation from Corrente about the call.

“He was trying to tell it to me. I didn’t want to hear it at that point,'' Morris said. "I didn’t matter what the explanation was, I really didn’t care. I thought it was the wrong call, he disagreed and he’s the official.

“I gave them an extra (seven) yards to make it an easier touchdown. Put that on me.''

WR Michael Clayton seemed aware his comments after the game would probably be reviewed by NFL officials, but he had a hard time containing his emotions when asked about the play on which it was ruled Jason Taylor intercepted a pass intended for Clayton.

Clayton insisted he caught the ball late in the second half and was down by contact. The pass was eventually ruled incomplete but overturned on replay.

Clayton strongly disagreed.

"I hope they got it right," he said. "I hope they saw something that we didn’t see, because for me, from what I saw, it was pitiful. There’s no reason for that in any league. That’s just a routine catch. I hope they got it right. I would hate for a game to come down to that. For a game to be taken away on a call like that, that hurts."

He later added, "I know it was a catch. One hundred percent. I do hope that I’m wrong. That hurts to see that happen, to see something taken from you. I just hope that they got it right. They didn’t give us an explanation for it. That’s the sad part about it. You can’t even give an explanation. I think every (official) on that field deserves to give a head coach an explanation for what just happened, especially under those circumstances. In return, we get a penalty? I think that that’s sad. I don’t think it’s called for."

Clayton official version was as follows: "From what I saw, from what I felt, I caught the ball. My legs got taken out from under me. I came down, put my hand on the ground, then my elbow, then my back."

If you watched the just-completed Bucs-Dolphins game, you know the play that will be talked about for days is Michael Clayton's non-catch at the end of the first half, one that resulted in the Dolphins taking possession at the 8-yard line and scoring two plays later.

Clayton was initially ruled to have fumbled, then Miami's Jason Taylor picked up the ball and returned it for a touchdown. After a quick conference, officials then ruled the pass was incomplete. Since it happened inside the two-minute mark, the replay official challenged the ruling. It was then ruled an interception, meaning Clayton did not establish possession before Taylor corralled the ball.

It was certainly a stunning outcome since it seemed obvious Clayton was down by contact before the ball came out. That prompted me to request a pool report from the officials after the game, something the league permits us to do when necessary.

Here, then, is referee Tony Corrente's explanation. The most pertinent parts are in bold:

(On why the play which was ultimately ruled an interception by Jason Taylor was initially ruled an incomplete pass)

“One of the officials on the field felt the ball had touched the ground after it left the possession of the receiver.”

(On why was the play not ruled a completion upon review)

“Because the player in question (Clayton), the player who was possessing the ball in the air, as he started to come down, was hit. As he is coming down, he is now going to the ground to complete a catch and, by rule, if he’s going to the ground to complete a catch, he has to maintain possession of the ball completely through the entire process of hitting the ground and thereafter, showing control. As he went to the ground, basically right when he went to the ground, the ball popped out, and went right into the arms of the Miami player. The ball had never touched the ground.”

(On if the play was ever whistled dead)

“The play was never whistled dead, not until the player [Taylor] got into the end zone.”

(On why Taylor was unable to advance the ball)

“Because by rule, in the replay rules, we can give the ball to the team, but we can’t allow the advance thereafter.”

(On if they are unable to allow an advance even if the ball is not whistled dead)

“Unfortunately, that’s just the replay rule because it was ruled as an incomplete pass.”

(On when the play was ruled an incomplete pass)

“It wasn’t ruled incomplete until there was a discussion in the end zone well after the touchdown was ‘scored.’ And so at that point, the officials got together and one said, ‘I felt the ball hit the ground,’ and of course (if there's) any doubt, it’s incomplete.”

We told you last night that Bucs WR Antonio Bryant and DE Stylez White did not make the trip to Miami for today's game.

The other inactives are now out, too, and the biggest surprise is that Dolphins LB Joey Porter is among them. Porter is out as the result of a coach's decision, according to the Dolphins. He was slightly injured during practices last week but participated fully in Friday's workout and was listed as probable for the game. That means a player is almost certainly will play.

For the Bucs, other inactives include QB Byron Leftwich (elbow), WR Yamon Figurs, OL James Lee G Shawn Murphy and newly-acquired CB Mike Mickens. 

Kickoff is less than an hour away and I'll be blogging from the press box as always. Make sure and stop in.