Roy Miller Out Too, But Ready For Lions
September 1st, 2011
Joe already brought word that Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib will not play tonight against the Redskins; he has not suited up all season due to a nasty hamstring.
Talib is not alone. Seems that defensive tackle Roy Miller, who has a minor tear in his knee, will also sit out tonight, so Miller Twittered earlier today.
@MillTicket_90: no im not playing today, the knee is healthy, and yes i will play next week, to answer all texts i likely received today
It seems with Miller, the Bucs are holding him back as a precautionary measure because of his knee. Smart move.
But since Miller has played so sparingly because of his injury, has that locked up a starting gig for big Frank Okam, who has had a wonderful training camp and preseason? Remember, Brian Price is still gimpy, too, and Gerald McCoy missed the first preseason game with a bum shoulder.
With Okam fully healthy, if he has a decent game tonight — if he even plays tonight — Joe would not be surprised if he starts against Detroit on opening day.
September 1st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
I’ll be surprised if Frank the Tank doesn’t start, period. Hell, even if they DO give the starting gig to Miller, he’s going to share snaps with Okam 50% of the time!
As long as Clayborn doesn’t go down, and Bennet/Bowers keep the heat on the left side, our tackles should be able to produce, knicked up or not.
September 1st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Why don’t you go ahead and post something about every starter being out? It’s the fourth preseason game…none of them play, regardless of whether they are healthy or not.
September 1st, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Big Frank has already earned that stating job in my opinion!!
September 1st, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Seems to me Okam is already starting with McCoy. I would not leave him out there long at all with the DT injuries
September 1st, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Opening day starting d-line:
Bennett, GMC, Frank the Tank, AjaClay.
Its the 4th Preseason game, I’d be shocked to see any starters, and if they do, it will be for just a series or two, just to get some work in. Talib needs to rest that hammy, Miller, we know what he can do, he should rest that knee. Lets see what the real kids can do, maybe one will win a spot on the 53 or PSquad.
September 1st, 2011 at 4:51 pm
After that goal line tackle Frank the Tank is the stater in my book, he brings what e
We’ve been missing the last 3 years.
September 1st, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Gotta admit, I’m feeling the “Frank the Tank” love myself. It’s always fun to watch the big guys create havoc. That’s why NBA centers are always hot commodities.. Go Frank Go!!
September 1st, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Am I the only one that thinks Miller is barely average at best? Hopefully he just comes in to give Price and Okam a rest!
September 1st, 2011 at 5:10 pm
during the regular season that is.
September 1st, 2011 at 5:11 pm
TheBull:
You know Roy Miller will start how exactly? Hell, Miller doesn’t even know.
And you really think if healthy the Bucs wouldn’t want to get Aqib Talib a few snaps to be game-ready for next week?
My, you’re either terribly naive or a bad fortune teller. Which is it?
September 1st, 2011 at 5:20 pm
I was expecting a breakout year for Miller- but that tear will bother him all year. You can play with it, but it’s painful. Hope Price steadily improves. And real Happy to see Bowers going full speed. We are a few nagging injuries from greatness on that D-Line!
Wish I could say that about the O-line . . .I think we need a few injuries( Minor!!!) there to improve!!
September 1st, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Oak Tree Okam’s roots are trying to secure that starter spot for sure!
As for it being the 4th preseason game, sure it is, but with the shortened offseason(NONE) I’m surprised more starters aren’t playing.
September 1st, 2011 at 5:31 pm
I still think Roy Miller is the starter right at this moment. Now maybe Okam comes out today and continues to play at a high level and gets that starting position come opening day, but if the regular season started this weekend (and we didn’t have a game today), I think Miller would be the starter.
And no, I don’t think the Bucs would give Talib a few snaps to be game-ready for next week. This fourth preseason game isn’t much more than a practice. They don’t want to risk injury to any of their starters, so healthy or not, no starter is going out there.
September 1st, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Preseason games are practice? That cracks me up! I guess, players shouldn’t practice either for fear of injury, since preseason games are just practice! Too funny! Ask players trying to get on the team, if those are practice.
September 1st, 2011 at 6:00 pm
OAR:
I asked Freeman. He said preseason games are a glorified practice. (didn’t really ask him, he said it during one of his PC’s). And I didn’t say preseason games WERE practice. I said the fourth preseason isn’t MUCH MORE than a practice (for the starters, obviously (if they were to go out and play), since that who we’re talking about). There’s obviously a greater chance of getting injured, which is why the starters won’t be playing with just a week left before the real games begin.
For the backups (the ones actually playing), the game obviously means something because they’re trying to make the team. They’re fighting for a spot.
September 1st, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@ Oar, preseason is generally looked upon as practice for the established players (Josh, Mike, Blount, etc.) and tryouts for the undrafted or late round youngsters. I would definitely call preseason practice for the most part. As much as they tell you that they game plan for that 3rd game it’s still in the back of everyone’s mind that 1) it doesn’t count, and 2) it’s not worth doing anything that could get yourself hurt. Freeman basically missed all of preseason last year and had a sick year.
September 1st, 2011 at 6:24 pm
The only starters I expect out there are Zuttah/Larsen. Okam and Lorig too, though they aren’t official starters yet.
September 1st, 2011 at 7:53 pm
personally, i would prefer to see okam as our 3rd dt. he can play nose and 3-tech and i think it would serve him better to get a series off here and there throughout the game. starting isnt going to mean that much here considering all the rotating.
September 1st, 2011 at 9:22 pm
John McCargo has made his case so far tonight to make the roster. It all depends on if they keep 4 or 5 DT’s. With Price being couple MONTHS away from actual football shape I have to believe they will keep 5. Al Woods is a goner.
September 1st, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Really Brian Price has gotten a good amount of snaps tonight and looked like he just isn’t ready to be on the field yet. I don’t see how they can rely on Price as the 4th DT to start the regular season. I think the Bucs have to keep McCargo and Price is kind of a waste of a roster spot right now. They should have PUP’ed him. Is it too late to do that now? I don’t know how PUP works.
September 1st, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Really, I’m sick of having to “wait” for McCoy and Price to get healthy. These are two guys we took very high in the draft. McCoy hasn’t done much yet, but I’m confident that he could break out this year.
Price is the one I’m not that confident in right now. Year 2 of his career and by his current status, it doesn’t seem like he’ll even contribute at least for the first several games of the season. Pretty disappointing.
September 2nd, 2011 at 6:52 am
Price had a legitimate injury to deal with. McCoy is a bust. Okam should be starting over McCoy.