By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - In this season of redemption, wide receiver Antonio Bryant saved his best for the biggest stage.

Tampa Bay's remarkable reclamation project tried to keep the Bucs competitive Monday night with a spectacular performance at Bank of America Stadium as a national TV audience looked on.

Bryant, who sat at home all season in 2007 because his reputation as a disruptive player scared off all 32 teams, caught nine passes from Jeff Garcia for a career-high 200 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-23 setback at Carolina.

It was the second-most prolific receiving game in franchise history, topped only by Mark Carrier's 212-yard effort at New Orleans in 1987.

"I've never seen a guy play like that," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "He was dominant."

Already with his fourth NFL club at the age of 27, Bryant took turns torching Carolina's defensive backs.

His final touchdown catch was a one-handed snare from 15 yards out with 2:29 remaining that is destined to rank among the best catches of the season, if not the decade.

"That was another Jeff moment, when he kept the play alive," Bryant said of his diving, left-handed reception.

Bryant's bravura effort began with a 52-yard reception midway through the second quarter as he got behind Richard Marshall down the left sideline and went out of bounds at the 2-yard line.

The Bucs had to settle for a field goal and a 3-3 tie.

Early in the third quarter, Bryant used a double move against veteran corner Ken Lucas and scored from 50 yards out, even though he had to wait for Garcia's floating pass.

"I'm having fun and it's exciting because so many teams are in the race," Bryant said. "Everyone's out hunting. This was our biggest loss this season. It hurts a lot because we know we're better than that."

While the Panthers kept finding big running holes against the NFL's No. 4 defense, Bryant and Garcia hooked up repeatedly as the Bucs came back from three deficits to forge a 17-17 tie after three quarters.

Bryant's big night came on his third career Monday night appearance - and first since a 2004 game while playing for the Cowboys at Washington.

In defeat, he put up better numbers than Carolina's Steve Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl receiver who finished with nine catches for 117 yards, including a 38-yard score three minutes after Bryant's initial touchdown catch.

"He's amazing," Bucs defensive end Kevin Carter said. "He was clutch tonight and I love the guy. His career has been resurrected here and it's a nice thing to see. I can't say how happy I am right now for Antonio Bryant."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

Photo credit: Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Photo: Bucs receiver Antonio Bryant stretches to make a one-handed touchdown grab during the fourth quarter Monday night.

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