Quarterbacks: Brian Griese and Chris Simms both did a good job of managing the offense and avoiding mistakes. Griese didn't spread the ball around as well as Simms, did but he didn't have to. His connection with Joey Galloway was enough produce 10 points and a lead. Simms made some big plays under pressure and proved he can move the team when he has to.

Running backs: Michael Pittman may get fined for slowing down at the end of his big 57-yard touchdown run, but he deserves a game ball for his gutty performance. Earnest Graham outgained both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined. Mike Alstott turned in one big play - on the only touch he got all day.

Receivers: Joey Galloway was big on third downs in the first half. He did an excellent job of gaining separation and finished the game with a team-leading nine receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Michael Clayton, Ike Hilliard and Alex Smith seemed like afterthoughts but they managed to make key contributions.

Offensive line: You don't gain 180 yards rushing without a good effort from the offensive line. These guys won the battle in the trenches and did a good job of neutralizing defensive end Jason Taylor's effectiveness. If they could have done a better job as pass protectors against linebacker Zack Thomas, they would have earned superlatives across the board.

Defensive line: Simeon Rice said he ''just wasn't feeling it'' Sunday. He still recorded three tackles, including a key sack. Dewayne White had three tackles, a sack and a pass defense and Greg Spires had three tackles and a sack. Anthony McFarland didn't record a tackle but he recovered a fumble for a unit that was solid against the run yet again.

Linebackers: Shelton Quarles came back from what looked like a game-ending injury to record a team-best nine tackles. He also knocked down a pass. Derrick Brooks had nine tackles, a sack and pass defensed, and Barrett Ruud chipped in with three tackles. Ryan Nece was all over the field and finished with nine tackles for a unit that played virtually error-free football.

Secondary: Brian Kelly had two big pass breakups in first half and finished the game with two tackles. Ronde Barber broke up a pair of passes and had three tackles. Will Allen recovered a fumble and scored and Kalvin Pearson played extremely well in Juran Bolden's absence. The depth of this unit was tested and proved to be up to the challenge.

Special teams: P Josh Bidwell just may be the Bucs' most consistent player. The fact the Dolphins started most of their drives deep in their own territory was due largely to him. The coverage units were solid, especially in the second half, and the return units did a good job of avoiding costly mistakes. Overall this was on this group's better efforts.

Coaching: Sitting Cadillac, who clearly needs time to heal, was the right call. An even better one was the decision to stick with the running game. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin did a good job of mixing up his defensive looks and whatever it was that Richard Bisaccia did to clean up the errors on special teams worked.