Stars WIll See Sparce Action Thursday
August 7th, 2013
Fans going to Thursday night’s game at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, when the Bucs open preseason play against the Baltimore Crows, will see quite a bit of second-, third- and even fourth-team players.
Stars like Doug Martin, Gerald McCoy, Dashon Goldson or Vincent Jackson? They will get enough snaps in to break a sweat and not much else, Bucs coach Greg Schiano noted via WDAE-AM 620 Bucs reporter Tom Krasniqi.
Don’t expect to see a whole lot of Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson or Gerald McCoy. With the rash of injuries taking place around the league, the Bucs will not put their star players at risk. Thursday’s game will provide an opportunity for those fringe players who are trying to make the roster. “I want to see how some of the 2nd and 3rd and 4th team guys compete. How do they compete when the lights come on….Can they do what they’ve been doing out there [at training camp}? Can they do it in the stadium against another team? Those are the things that are important. And can they do it for a sustained period of time…can they stay focused for a 3-hour football game and stay in the game and not have a mental lapse,” said Schiano.
Thursday’s game is a lot more important for the likes of Rashaan Melvin, Steven Means and Chris Owusu. Players like them who have flashed during camp and are fighting for roster spots. The coaching staff wants to see it translate over to game action. Thursday night will be their opportunity to showcase their talents.
This is the smart way to go. Why the hell would you risk some of your best players in a glorified scrimmage? The important game to get ready for is Week One of the regular season in the New Jersey Swamplands.
If Joe were Schiano, the starters would play one series. That’s it.
August 7th, 2013 at 7:41 am
I don’t think the established starters should play at all. The rookie starters yes. Banks and Spence need the experience. Bowers too. Yank the rest.
One of the reasons is the other team. They will be playing inexperienced rookies that are trying to prove themselves. They’ll be head hunting. That’s when starters get hurt…when some twit hits a guy with in the knees and injures him.
In my book, starters should only play in the third preseason game. And then only for a quarter. People always say there should only be 2 preseason games. If there were, we wouldn’t see the starters in but one of them.
Treat the rest like tryout and rookie practice games.
August 7th, 2013 at 7:44 am
But this is also why I won’t pay to see a preseason game. I’ll catch the replay and listen to Gene live.
August 7th, 2013 at 7:57 am
and they still expect 0ne to pay full price….
August 7th, 2013 at 8:06 am
Isn’t it normally in preseason games where we start losing our key players or young hopefuls? Not necessarily practice.
August 7th, 2013 at 9:48 am
@Bonzai
Exactly. Paying full price for half value is crap no matter how you look at it.
Pre-season this year seems the most interesting that I can remember in a long time. We have A LOT of young guys on the bubble who have potential that are worth watching, can’t remember the last time I was looking forward to pre-season games this much.
August 7th, 2013 at 10:09 am
It’s a practice game
Season Ticket rant in 3…2…
BTW Joe: You spell like a 5 year old…
August 7th, 2013 at 10:49 am
Game 1, need to get a series in, maybe 2 for some starters. weeks 2 and 3 are important to get these guys into game shape. I think Owusu should get more reps with the 1st team.
Something tells me Revis will play in week 3 of pre-season. Gotta get these guys accilmated for week 1.