A Real Game … For A Half
August 27th, 2010
Joe loves Game 3 of the preseason because starters get to play quite a bit.
The Bucs’ defensive mastermind/head coach has already said the Bucs’ A-teams will play the complete first half tomorrow against Jacksonville in their blacked out 7:30 p.m. game, and he said whatever unit is on the field to start the third quarter will be the starting unit, too.
Then the subs, led by Sabby Piscitelli, will hit the field.
Now Joe’s not about to get into some deep breakdown of the preseason oppponent, (and Joe still doubts we’ll see much of Cadillac Williams on Saturday) but here’s a bit about the Jaguars from their website.
Del Rio said he’ll play his healthy starters into the third quarter. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew has missed practice this week, which likely means he won’t play against the Bucs. Others who haven’t practiced this week include: middle linebacker Kirk Morrison, strongside linebacker Daryl Smith and rookie kickoff-returner Deji Karim. Right tackle Eben Britton has been out of action with a calf injury but is expected to play in Tampa.
If there’s an importance that can be attached to this game for the starting units, it would be for Garrard to continue his strong play for a second straight week and keep his critics hushed, and for the Jaguars’ pass-defense to show they can stop a backup quarterback from racking up yards. The Jaguars defense has allowed 406 yards passing in the first halves of the first two preseason games.
“We just need to play better on our back end,” Del Rio said, referring to the two safety positions. “Our back end needs to sharpen up and avoid some of these silly plays that don’t get leveraged properly and end up looking explosive. We’d like to see marked improvement in that area.”
So there you have it. The Bucs have a chance to smash heads with an average football team on their home turf.
Joe’s will be depressed if they can’t win the first half, and doubly depressed if they can’t get to the quarterback.
August 27th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
That title is exactly right Joe. It will be a game, for a half. I really want to see the starters do well in this game. After their done, I’ll become less interested.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
We have to get some pressure on Garrard. Lets see how much we use a 3-4 if the D line cant get it done early. I like Black rushing the QB.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Adam Schein calls Garrard “America’s quarterback.”
August 27th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
If the Bucs can’t get pressure Garrard, then they have a big problem.
And why does Schein call Garrard “America’s quarterback.”? He ain’t that damn good.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Adam Shcien is “America’s Dumbass”
August 27th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Adam Schein is Amercia’s DoucheBag…….
August 27th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I wonder if the Defense can stop the run this week. If they can’t stop Jax what can we expect when the real season starts? 4-12 is my prediction.
August 28th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Jacksonville has always been a very strong, running and defensive team. There is nothing easy about them.
And considering the Bucs are weak against strong, physical teams, then we will have our work cut out for us.
August 28th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
@ZeroExpectations
You make a good point. Jacksonville always seems to have our number in hte preseason. I hate playing them because they ALWAYS leave their starters in longer than we do, in order to assure a victory.
I would give the Bucs about a 25% chance to win, just for that reason alone. Morris has already shown that he wants to prevent injuries throughout training camp and into the preseason, so there’s no reason to think he’ll leave the starters in for a full half even.
The exception to this will be Josh Johnson, of course. He’ll play the full half…and play himself right out of the backup role.
MY PREDICTION?
Next week, Rudy Carpenter will get the start over Johnson.
August 28th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
BTW…looking forward to seeing Luke McCown play. I still think he was the better choice over Byron.