The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began their weekly practice session amid cool temperatures today at One Buccaneer Place. But it's nothing like what they will experience on Sunday when the Bucs look to clinch their third division title and the first 11-win season in franchise history. The Bucs meet the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday and temperatures are expected to dip down to 28 degrees at kickoff, a far cry from the balmy 64 degrees in Tampa Bay Wednesday afternoon.
Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy, who is well aware of Tampa Bay's 0-17 record when the temperature drops below 40 degrees, is not concerned about the weather conditions in Chicago.
"Really, I don't think that is going to be a factor," Dungy said. "I think any time you go into bad weather you have to think about running the ball and playing defense and that's why I really like this team. We should be a team that can thrive in poor weather, but you have to go out and play."
BUCCANEERS INJURY REPORT
QB Trent Dilfer, sidelined the last five weeks with a right clavicle fracture, threw for 10 minutes on the sideline.
G Ken Blackman (left knee sprain) is out against Chicago and RB Rabih Abdullah (broken right thumb) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.
Three Buccaneer players sat out of practice and are listed as probable for Sunday's game: T Paul Gruber (right shoulder sprain), C Tony Mayberry (neck strain), DT Brad Culpepper (right foot contusion), WR Reidel Anthony (left ankle sprain), WR Jacquez Green (right foot sprain) and CB Brian Kelly (low back strain) are all probable.
