Gameday Tampa Bay
September 8th, 2013
Game 1
Bucs at Jets
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
TV: WTVT-TV, Channel 13 locally. Outside the Tampa Bay area, DirecTV Channel 713.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM 103.5, and WDAE-AM 620); SiriusXM Channel 139.
Weather: Per Accuweather.com, the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area has been experiencing weather kissed by the gods recently. Today should be no different. Expect a temperature of 77 degrees at kickoff under crystal clear skies and humidity at 45 percent. Towards the end of the game the temperature should rise to 83.
Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Bucs -3.5.
Outlook: Joe doesn’t know where to begin. There are so, so many question marks with the Bucs that were not even remotely answered in the preseason. Can Darrelle Revis play? Can the Bucs get heat on the quarterback? Has the Bucs secondary improved? Has Josh Freeman improved? How or will the Bucs get any production from tight end? Can Davin Joseph return to form? This is why many Bucs fans have so much doubt. How can fans wrap their arms around a team with confidence when there are still so many issues unanswered?
But here is what Joe knows: The Jets start a second-round draft pick at quarterback. That alone should be the difference in the game. If Joe were Bucs commander Greg Schiano, he would throw just about every exotic look at Geno Smith that Schiano can concoct while he lies awake in the middle of the night. The more Smith is confused, the more he is likely to run (well hello, Lavonte David) and get confused and panic and throw into a crowd.
To Joe, look no further than this. If the Bucs cannot handle a rookie quarterback making his first start, then there are massive issues on the Bucs roster.
It really doesn’t (shouldn’t?) matter what Doug Martin, Mike Williams, Vincent Jackson and/or Freeman do. It is what the Bucs defense does against Smith. It really isn’t any more complex than that.
UPDATE: Inactives for the Bucs are Dan Orlovsky, QB; Rashaan Melvin, CB; Erik Lorig, FB; Carl Nicks, OG; Tom Crabtree, TE; William Gholston, DE; Chris Jones, DE.
September 8th, 2013 at 10:02 am
Ravishing !
September 8th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Is that Brett’s girl?
September 8th, 2013 at 10:11 am
no idea what to expect this season. usually I’m very confident, but this team is so confusing this time. and nan is time dragging right now. go bucs.
September 8th, 2013 at 10:18 am
This game is more about the Bucs offensive line than anything else.
If we can sustain drives we win.
Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Let’s do this Bucs!
September 8th, 2013 at 10:24 am
I keep saying it, but this would be an inexcusable loss, easily one of the worst in franchise history. The Jets are a debacle right now and would lose to half the teams in the CFB top 25. There is literally no reason the Bucs should lose this game…unless they’re worse than the Jets.
September 8th, 2013 at 10:27 am
Aaaaalllllllll abooooaaaaard ha ha ha ha. I I I I
September 8th, 2013 at 10:27 am
I 100% agree Joe
September 8th, 2013 at 10:28 am
I don’t know why you have so many questions Joe. #1. You were at training camp and you were the one commenting on Freeman being ‘Brees like’ on more than one occasion. Every receiver he throws to in preseason drops the ball and now you suddenly forgot everything you saw earlier and question whether Josh can throw accurately? #2. Do you honestly think our pass defense won’t be better with the addition of Revis and Goldson?? We were worst in the history of the NFL last year and you question whether 2 pro bowlers will improve it? Really????
The questions about heat on the QB are legit. That remains to be seen. As far as Davin Joseph returning to form…I think when Spence said when he went up against Joseph that Joseph “was a beast” and threw him to the ground says something. I would think throwing Spence to the ground is no small feat. The Falcons went 0-4 in preseason and noone seems too concerned about their predictions of Atlanta winning our division. Freeman sees 22 snaps in preseason, gets sacked 5 times and has five passes dropped and the whole world panics.
Schiano did just what he wanted to do, evaluate players and keep the starters healthy for the most part. Goode was the leading tackler in preseason and he didn’t make the roster. That should say something about the value of preseason play. Schiano is anal about sticking to his plan and his plan was not to ‘win’ preseason games. It was to keep players healthy and evaluate players, mostly depth players. There was never a time when our entire 1st team was on the field on either side of the ball. I don’t really have questions about Freeman or our defense. My question is about our offensive line. I did NOT like what I saw from them in preseason and hopefully the depth players gel better out of the box game one. Come back soon Carl!!!!
September 8th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Anybody skeered?
September 8th, 2013 at 10:32 am
I believe it is about our defense and will be for most of the games this year. Our offense is good enough to put some points on the board against any team.
If we had a stout defense last year we could have made the playoffs in spite of Freeman’s inconsistancy.
My feeling….our defense is improved and more than just a bit.
Clayborne back, additions of Revis, Goldson & Banks…improvement with Barron, David & the LBs….the only question is depth.
No injury/no worry
September 8th, 2013 at 10:36 am
There ARE issues on this roster. At QB. Expect this game to be a lot closer than it should be because #5 plays scared. And remember that Bucs LOVE to let rookie and/or no name QBs beat them.
September 8th, 2013 at 10:40 am
This game is more about the Bucs offensive line than anything else.
If we can sustain drives we win.
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I disagree, I think the keys to this game is winning the TO battle and keeping the 12 man quiet.
If we do those 2 things I think we win this game easily. But if we let the Jets stick around and let the crowd get involved… not good.l
September 8th, 2013 at 10:43 am
Route to the playoffs begins today. Route to Freeman’s payoff begins today.
Bo Gucs!
September 8th, 2013 at 10:44 am
Im still going with 21-6….Revis gets a pick 6, Vjax from Freeman, and a Dougie up the middle 🙂
September 8th, 2013 at 10:45 am
Scotty in Fat Antonio,
Wouldn’t you send her a dic pic? Yes, that is Jen Sterger aka Favre’s sexting victim.
September 8th, 2013 at 10:46 am
@bucrightoff The Jets are not nearly as bad as advertised man, take away QB, WR, and LB issues they are fairly Solid
September 8th, 2013 at 10:47 am
Today’s the day I put aside my differences with JFro, Dom, Buc 1987, TBBuc Fan, Bobby et al and hope they are all right about the Bucs and I am wrong. Yes, I’m a bit of a pessimist entering the season, but I do want the same thing the optimists want. And, yes, I will admit if I’m wrong. Been on JBF for 4 years and ain’t going anywhere. Let’s Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2013 at 10:48 am
Thats the spirit Lightningbuc!
September 8th, 2013 at 10:49 am
Wouldn’t you send her a dic pic?
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C’mon now stevek. That is classless, unless she asked for it then I dam sure would LMAO
September 8th, 2013 at 10:50 am
For those who know who NFLosophy is on Twitter, he gives a great recap of what is being brought to the table in this game today:
http://www.ganggreennation.com/2013/9/5/4690378/five-questions-with-joe-bussell
September 8th, 2013 at 11:05 am
Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaampaaaa!
September 8th, 2013 at 11:09 am
Bayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
September 8th, 2013 at 11:10 am
@Jacko
Don’t forget CB, or safety, and they have no pass rush either, or no running game…Seriously this is a very bad team the Jets are. The Bucs aren’t getting a winning record if they lose today, let alone playoffs.
September 8th, 2013 at 11:21 am
CB is solid A very solid position for them maybe their strongest. But your right it’s a must win for us. Lets Go
September 8th, 2013 at 11:32 am
@lightningbuc says,
Yes, I’m a bit of a pessimist entering the season, but I do want the same thing the optimists want. And, yes, I will admit if I’m wrong.
Prick, you weren’t just pessimistic you were a condescending hate monger. Personally, I don’t care if you say you’re a fan I would never invite you over. I wouldn’t want you around me, at any tailgate parties, not even sitting next to me in church, without wanting to rip out your jugular. You don’t like it, meet me next week. 1987 knows where I will be, ask him.
September 8th, 2013 at 11:59 am
Somebody needs a hug ..
September 8th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
I am ready to run through a wall !!
GO BUCS !!
September 8th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Buc n Junkie….wait if you come back on here. Give me atleast a first name and or a car description. So I’m not hollering out the name Buc n Junkie and looking like a I’m crazy.
Oh an Raphael..ready to run through a wall? I’m going buc n nuts over here. 56 minutes to go. Go freakin’ Bucs!
September 8th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Light’em Freeman!
September 8th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
I’ll be wearing #94 Clayborn. My name is Tony P. We’re behind the house in the churches parking lot.
September 8th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
bucrightoff Says
“I keep saying it, but this would be an inexcusable loss, easily one of the worst in franchise history.”
Game hasn’t even started and already you are worried about losing?
Some advice…just make up your mind to enjoy the game no matter what happens. Just this one time. You can deal with any frustrations tomorrow.
September 8th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
If the Jets come out looking that good we don’t stand a chance…
September 8th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTSS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
September 8th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Let’s go Bucarooos!
September 8th, 2013 at 1:00 pm
JunkBuc,
You’d know hate for sure since Joe called you out for it against him. Stay classy!
September 8th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
JunkBuc,
You’d know hate for sure since Joe called you out for it against him. Stay classy!
And, I have no desire to come over to your trailer anyway.
September 8th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Wow
What a start
September 8th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Just punt it already
September 8th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Enough already. The game is off, Go NFL Redzone. I refuse to frustrate myself today. Go 49ers.