10 Things To Look For In Jacksonville
August 8th, 2014
There’ll be all kinds of things to pay attention to when the Bucs kick off the 2014 preseason in Jacksonville this evening.
Here are 10 things Joe will keep his eyes on:
1) Pass rush: Lovie Smith says his front-4 finally will be let loose. Damn, it would be nice to see consistent pressure. What a change that would be.
2) Run blocking: There are ways to work around sorry pass blocking, but you can’t fake run blocking. The Bucs want to run the ball, and they at least want to see what they have in their interior line. Some success tonight would be encouraging.
3) A returner other than Eric Page: Joe sure gets the feeling the Bucs would love to replace Page with Jeff Demps or rookie Robert Herron, but those guys haven’t proven it in practice. Count on various returners getting a shot.
4) Da’Quan Bowers: The depth chart lists Bowers as Gerald McCoy’s backup, and Bowers has been working inside. Let’s see if he can handle future beer truck driver and bellhops during the second and third quarters. He couldn’t last preseason.
5) Austin Seferian-Jenkins: Joe’s promised his readers and radio listeners that Seferian-Jenkins is a beast, major league weapon.
6) Mike Glennon: Lovie says he’s the “quarterback of the future.” Joe would love to see him look like it.
7) Danny Gorrer: He’ll get the start at cornerback with Mike Jenkins and Alterraun Verner hurt, plus lots of playing time with other injuries at the position. Joe wants to see if Gorrer looks like solid veteran depth.
8) Jeff Demps: Lovie gushes over Demps’ speed, and Demps should get opportunities in the running, passing and return game tonight. Make-or-break time for him.
9) Lavonte David: No. 54 told Joe he’s starting lower and playing lower. It’s made him a quicker on cuts and in general, he said.
10) Second-half offense: Yeah, it’s meaningless preseason, but after being so darn deprived of second half points last year, Joe will take it — and enjoy it.
August 8th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Watch out for Tommy Streeter as well.
August 8th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Quicker Levonte David…I didn’t know there was such an animal….sort of like the Yetti. Should be fun to watch.
August 8th, 2014 at 1:48 pm
Don’t forget to pass/fail on unis under the lights! lol
August 8th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
I am impatiently waiting and looking forward to see the player’s and scenario’s you mention in live action. The long wait is almost over.
August 8th, 2014 at 2:15 pm
hmmmm, I thought Mason Foster in middle linebacker would have made the top 10. especially in pass coverage.
August 8th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
6) Mike Glennon: Lovie says he’s the “quarterback of the future.” Joe would love to see him look like it.
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Why are you worried about the backup QB? Shouldn’t the focus be on the anointed starter?
August 8th, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Why is anyone still holding out hope on Bowers?
He’s garbage.
Out of shape Clemson garbage.
August 8th, 2014 at 2:36 pm
@lightningbuc – it’s the first preseason game. You’re going to see a lot more of the backups. wait til the third game to put the starters under the microscope
August 8th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Also interested in kicking & punting…..with high salaries for our current kickers….is there an alternative?
August 8th, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Agree on Paige. That’s a precious spot on the game day roster.
Bowers is going to take plenty of snaps tonight if he is backing up GMC. I’d hope the Bucs pull both him and Johnson early. 3 series at most.
August 8th, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Lets not forget the most important thing…………..STAY HEALTHY!
August 8th, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Seems to me Joe still would love to see Glennon off the roster. I know he sky’s he likes him but to my ears it sounds otherwise. I would love to see him have a good night so we can move on to other things. Of course a good game for him tonight would take a lot of air out of the dog on Monday. Also love to see Demps find his groove.
August 8th, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Yes, Healthy prayers to all the players in tonight’s game for both teams. And Also Haven’t heard from HawiianBuc today, hopefully he has all his pineapples strapped down and he and family are all safe on the islands, Keep your head down buddy.
P.S. Go Bucs and Go Beer!!
August 8th, 2014 at 3:01 pm
#1 thing I’M watching out for…NO INJURIES!!! Danny Gorrer despite all his potential last year, couldn’t make it past game one of the preseason I believe. DEAR LORD, PLEASE KEEP OUR BUCS HEALTHY THIS SEASON!!!
August 8th, 2014 at 4:30 pm
BOb Says
“Lets not forget the most important thing…………..STAY HEALTHY!”
Lets not forget the most important thing…………..STAY HEALTHY!
It was worth repeating.
August 8th, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Stay safe Hawiian Buc.
Go Bucs!!!
August 8th, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Stay safe Hawiian Buc.
Go Bucs!!!
August 8th, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Pass rush isn’t something I’m too concerned with because I trust Lovie to handle it. I will be more concerned with preventing injuries along the line.
Run blocking will be horrible I think. When you consider the small amount our starters will play, and that they may not be very good anyway, it doesn’t bode well for the backups. So, again, I am more worried about RB injuries as a result.
Eric Page is earning the starting role for a reason. he isn’t THAT slow, and he is reliable. Run Michael Run wasn’t that fast either, but he got the job done. People forget that Page returned kicks for TDs in college. He should produce results this year.
With Da’Quan Bowers, I care only that he is in the first round of cuts and that an injury does not force the Bucs to keep him.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is one of the most exciting prospects. I really am starting to believe we’ve gotten an elite player in him.
We’ll be seeing a LOT of Mike Glennon. Probably two quarters. I don’t expect to be impressed, but not just because I’m not certain he has what it takes. The main reason is pass rush. I have zero confidence in the oline, and I am truly concerned QB injuries will result.
On Jeff Demps, I care only that he plays well enough to reach the second round of cuts. If he does better, cool. But I really could care less about him making the team. I don’t believe he has much of an NFL future. It’s up to him to prove otherwise and he isn’t doing it so far.
I am looking for improved play from Mason Foster as well. Our safety play too.
And to repeat again because it is so important. “Lets not forget the most important thing…………..STAY HEALTHY!”
August 8th, 2014 at 4:44 pm
On pass rush, I am curious about Michael Johnson, but I figure to wait until he starts the season to be really impressed. I just want no injuries caused by opposing camp meat players trying to make their bones.
August 8th, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Touch_Down_Tampa_Bay Says
“Stay safe Hawiian Buc.”
What is up with him? Do I need to pray?
August 8th, 2014 at 4:46 pm
What happened to (mlb) Nate Askew?
August 8th, 2014 at 4:55 pm
its a good thing for the preseason, those reflective uniforms wont have any time to shine during the regular season until this team starts winning and the bucs get some night games (except atlanta this year).
August 8th, 2014 at 4:55 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai
there is a hurricane in Hawaii. it shouldn’t be to bad, though there internet and tv might go down.
August 8th, 2014 at 6:20 pm
Awful kind of Realist to think of Hawaiian Buc!
Stay safe HB!
GO BUCS! I can’t wait!
August 8th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
#11. Let’s see if ‘The Hawk’ (no relation) has learned how to tackle within the rules, or do the Bucs need to start watching the waiver wires.
August 8th, 2014 at 7:02 pm
Askew is third on the SLB depth chart, me thinks.