If you go into a game at a skill position and you don't think you're going to get the ball, you're not in there giving that extra 20 percent. So it really helps to get them touchdowns and make them feel like they're a part of this, which they really are. Now you get guys downfield blocking. You get guys that are blocking one guy and they get up and go block someone else. Offensive coordinator Les Steckel said that when receivers' routes are crisp, defenses have more trouble discerning who is the decoy and who is the go-to receiver.
Happy receivers force defenses to play honest.
The chance to spread the ball around and energize the offense comes only when the offense is converting third downs and extending drives. It's not a coincidence that in their four wins the Bucs have converted 47 percent of third downs and in four losses they have converted 30 percent. But that's because we haven't kept ourselves on the field long enough to have that opportunity. The successful Sunday was particularly meaningful for Anthony, who has bounced back from a disappointing 1999 by coming up with key receptions. He has nine receptions, but a team-high three have gone for touchdowns.