Packers’ Bulky Defender Hungry For Playoff Success Brown Hopes To Feast On Bucs’ Running Game

The legend of Gilbert Brown grows like his waistline. The latest chapter involves the “Gilbert-burger,” his mountainous creation that overwhelms the stomachs of mere mortals.

“I can’t eat it all,” said Santana Dotson, Brown’s partner in the middle of Green Bay’s defensive line. “I haven’t seen anybody do it.”

Brown, a bouncing 350-pounder, does everything in a big way. How much of a bite he takes out of Tampa Bay’s running attack will be a significant item for the Packers in today’s NFC playoff game at Lambeau Field.

“I hope there are a lot of collisions,” Green Bay coach Mike Holmgren said. “Because Gilbert usually wins those.”

Form heavily favors Green Bay, the defending Super Bowl champion.

The Packers are at home, where they have won 26 consecutive games. Green Bay swept the season series from Tampa Bay and has won 10 of its last 11 games against the Bucs.

The high temperature will be about 25 degrees. Packers quarterback Brett Favre is 22-0 in home games played below 36 degrees. Tampa Bay is 0-16 in franchise history for games in which the temperature drops below 40. The Bucs scored only seven points in a loss at lowly Chicago on a 29-degree day this season.

“We’re going to check the weather charts,” Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy said. “If it’s going to be below 40, we’ll probably just go ahead and forfeit.”

Dungy was kidding. He insists the Bucs can handle the weather. Handling a hungry Gilbert Brown will be more difficult.

Brown missed the first meeting between the teams this season, a 21-16 Packers win, because of an ankle injury.Brown appeared in only 20 plays during the second game, and Tampa Bay ran for only 67 yards in a 17-6 Packers win.

The Packers expect Brown to handle extended playing time today.