Todd Bowles: Most Starters Will Sit; Rookies Will Play
August 8th, 2024
Joe will keep this simple.
Don’t look for the Bucs’ biggest names on your TV screen on Saturday.
After practice today, Todd Bowles said most starters will not play in the preseason opener though he said rookies will. Of course, it’s likely at least one rookie is sure to earn a “starter” label before the real opening day in September.
Don’t freak out. The Bucs for last year’s preseason opener and the team was very ready for Week 1 in Minnesota.
August 8th, 2024 at 11:14 am
The Bengals are playing starters.. at least for a short time. It’ll be a great way to evaluate the depth on the team. That will be exciting!
August 8th, 2024 at 11:22 am
No starters fine. Excited to watch 2nd string, rookies and UDFA. See who stands out or falls flat.
August 8th, 2024 at 11:43 am
I agree, let’s see how 2nd string does against 1st string sounds exciting
August 8th, 2024 at 11:46 am
Who starts at QB?
August 8th, 2024 at 11:52 am
Statistically Insignificant Reader: That’s one way to look at it, personally , I would rather look at both the supposed starters and backup’s to see who really stands out and who falls short and not be surprised when the regular season starts and have to make changes under fire.
August 8th, 2024 at 11:59 am
@Dave Pear -Trask will start according to Scott Smith.
August 8th, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Starters almost surely won’t play in the 3rd preseason game, so at best we’ll see them in Preseason Game 2, for probably only a couple of series. If Bucs start the Washington game slow (once again), and end up losing because of it, fans can point the finger right back at coaches not giving our starters enough game time in preseason against opponents’ starters.
IMO it doesn’t matter how well our 2nd team does against the Bengals’ #1’s. About the only time that scenario would play out is in the last game of the season if we had a playoff spot locked up. Comparing apples against apples is all that really counts.
August 8th, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Bucs need some more heavy BEEF up front on both sides of ball. 330 plus…
August 8th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Yeah, where’s the beef?
August 8th, 2024 at 3:04 pm
I’m excited to see some of the rookies play. For some, it might be the only time we get to see them. 😉
I’m 100% in agreement with the starters not playing. It might help them get ready for the regular season if they did play but it’s not worth the risk of having them injured.
August 8th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Sounds good! Agree with BucsFanSince1996. It will be fun to watch the rookies. Can’t wait!
August 8th, 2024 at 3:53 pm
PRIORTY #1: KEEP STARTERS HEALTH FOR THE SEASON
Play the starters the 1st quarter of the 2nd game. That’s it. I’d use the rest of preseason to evaluate and develop the guys.
August 8th, 2024 at 5:32 pm
If starters do not need preseason to get ready for the regular season, they why have preseason at all. Seriously, fans should not have to pay full ticket price for these rookie practices.
August 8th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
How do you ‘keep starters healthy for the season? ‘ that’s not priority when it’s an impossible task with too many uncontrollable variables. Sheesh.
Priority one: be ready to win game 1. Which doesn’t include bubble wrapping starters
August 9th, 2024 at 8:05 am
The coaches have to evaluate the newbies. They can only keep so many players. THAT’S why we have preseason games!! (Hint, hint, joes.)
August 9th, 2024 at 8:39 am
I like the idea we’ve already had enough starters with serious to minor injuries before preseason has even started. Great way to see which rookies and young players are getting it as well as implementing in real game time. We have joint practices and two more preseasons for the starters to get their rust off. Although I’m not too worried about our starting offense we’ll one against a dismal Washington defense especially since these players are looking mid-season form, practicing against each other. Football is back baby let go Buccaneers