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Bucs' use of Revis relates to recovery from injury

 
Darrelle Revis said his recovery from ACL surgery on his left knee wasn't fast enough to allow him to play his normal game early in the season.
Darrelle Revis said his recovery from ACL surgery on his left knee wasn't fast enough to allow him to play his normal game early in the season.
Published Nov. 2, 2013

Schiano: I don't mind helping players up

TAMPA — On his radio show Wednesday, Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (top right) said defensive line coaches Bryan Cox and Randy Melvin "got upset" with him helping opponents off the ground after plays.

On Friday, coach Greg Schiano (bottom) said he lets players do as they wish.

"I don't dislike it if a guy helps him up nor am I a proponent of helping a guy up," Schiano said. "I worked for (former Penn State coach Joe Paterno) for six years. And what I learned is you help a guy up, look him in the eye and you say, 'I'm coming back to get you again.' "

McCoy backed off his comments Friday morning.

"Whoa! I never said I was yelled at or even ridiculed for helping people up," he tweeted. "And I didn't name names. Don't misquote me or make up nonsense! I was giving an example of the type of guy I am (because) somebody said I wasn't mean enough. Don't make my coaches out to be bad people (because) they're not!"

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

TAMPA — Bucs coach Greg Schiano and his staff have been under scrutiny for not using CB Darrelle Revis enough in press, man-to-man coverage.

But Revis said his recovery from last year's ACL surgery on his left knee wasn't fast enough to allow him to do so.

"It's a process I've got to go through," Revis said Friday. "It does take awhile. I'm not all the way there yet. But you've got to change your game."

Where is Revis in that process heading into Sunday's game at Seattle? He will have had 10 days between games.

"I'm getting back to myself," Revis said. "The last game, I pressed (Panthers WR) Steve Smith every chance I got. So I'm getting there. It's a process. I've got to keep on strengthening my leg and getting stronger."

Schiano said while Revis has been in man-to-man coverage often, the coaches let him decide whether to play press or off of the receiver.

"He's had like 2½ great weeks of practice," Schiano said. "I think he played lights-out against Steve Smith. Darrelle is the consummate pro. I have nothing but faith and believe that he knows what he can and can't do. And that's why we give him a lot of latitude on technique; how he wants to do it. Because he knows better than anybody. He's the best to ever play the position."

INJURY UPDATE: LB Dekoda Watson (shoulder), who partici­pated fully in Thursday's practice, was limited Friday and is questionable. Also questionable are both starting safeties. Mark Barron (hip) and Dashon Goldson (knee) were limited Friday. Two reserves, DT Derek Landri (back) and WR Chris Owusu (foot) also are questionable.

Four are probable: LB Mason Foster (hamstring), G Davin Joseph (knee), S Keith Tandy (ankle) and DT Akeem Spence (wrist). As expected, G Carl Nicks (foot) and running backs Doug Martin (shoulder) and Jeff Demps (groin) are out.

HOMECOMING: Sunday's game marks a trip home for K Rian Lindell, who spent his first three seasons (2000-02) with the Seahawks.

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"It's exciting. It's always nice to go back," said Lindell, who was born in Portland, Ore., went to high school in Washington and played at Washington State.

He has plenty of family still in Washington and said he bought a plot of land in Redmond, where he plans to build a home and retire.

Lindell hit 58 of 78 field goals for Seattle, then left in 2003 to play for Buffalo, where he spent 10 seasons before joining the Bucs this season.

He has been back to Seattle only once, for a 38-9 Bills win in 2004, but he saw the Seahawks last season when they played Buffalo in Toronto.

All of his teammates are gone, but he remembered some staff members.