Game Time

It's here -- finally. The season opener.

We're here in the press box at Qwest Field in Seattle, and you'll be happy to know it's a crystal clear day with temperatures in the 70s. So, the conditions won't be an issue today.

We'll be updating you on developments throughout the day in the comments section below. Feel free to follow along.

As for what we can tell you right now, here's the latest regarding the lineup. For the Bucs, the inactive players today are offensive linemen Anthony Davis and Dan Buenning, defensive tackle Ryan Sims, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, cornerback Anthony Madison, defensive end Patrick Chukwurah and quarterback Chris Simms. Trotter is not a surprise because he is still unfamiliar with the defensive system after signing a contract on Monday.

Interesting decision to leave Davis inactive. That means the Bucs will likely look to Donald Penn to come off the bench at tackle and, most likely, Matt Lehr at guard.

Also, a few interesting moves in the starting lineup. Kevin Carter is starting over Gaines Adams at right defensive end, with Greg Spires on the left. Tanard Jackson, as expected, starts at free safety over Will Allen. Michael Pittman will start at fullback over B.J. Askew and Ike Hilliard starts at flanker rather than Maurice Stovall or David Boston.

Also, for the Seahawks, Ellis Wyms is inactive today. He signed with Seattle shortly after being released by the Bucs last weekend.

(pictured: Jeff Garcia, right. Times photo - Brendan Fitterer. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Stephen_Holder]

One other note: Luke McCown is the No. 2 quarterback with Bruce Gradkowski listed as the inactive No. 3.

[Stephen_Holder]

Cadillac fumbles that reception on first down. Notice how the Seahawks rushed out there to run a play. They didn't want to give the Bucs a chance to review or challenge it.

[Stephen_Holder]

It's third-and-9 coming up with 12:46 left in the first. Interesting lineup for Bucs. Greg White at tackle, Cato June out.

[Stephen_Holder]

Also on third down, which Barber stuffed with a pass deflection, notice Kevin Carter was playing nose tackle for Hovan. All sorts of crazy things going on here.

[Stephen_Holder]

An early lead in this building can be huge. Now that it's 3-0 notice how quiet it is. And that's a heck of a stat by Fox noting that opponents are 6-18 playing at Qwest for the first time.

[Stephen_Holder]

Barber's hold on Galloway's punt return just now costs them a net loss of 45 yards. Bucs would have had the ball at the Seahawks' 45. Worst thing about it is it wasn't necessary. Galloway would have escaped without the help.

[Daniel]

Stephan, the O-line doesn't look bad, but the team still seems to be having a hard time running, is it the crowd noise they keep mentioning in the broadcast or is it something else I am missing?

[Stephen_Holder]

Bryant makes it 6-0 with a 32-yard FG at the end of the first quarter. But the score doesn't tell you how lopsided this game has been. The Bucs are leading in total yardage 136-21. Frankly, they should probably be up by more. They'd better hope their failure to convert TDs doesn't come back to haunt them.

[Stephen_Holder]

Daniel, crowd noise might have a little to do with the line play, but I just think it's more about the Seattle defense. They are aggressive and they are fast.

[Pete]

Only in the NFL can you completely out-play a team, yet only be up by one score. I agree, Stephen, I hope this doesn't come back to hunt them. I call it Buc-Luck ... we've seen it happen too many times before.

[Stephen_Holder]

Seahawks just tried a flea-flicker and Jermaine Phillips stuffs it with a sack of Hasselbeck. I don't know if I call that if I'm Holmgren. The Bucs defense is nothing if not fast. That play takes a long time to develop. Seattle's looking at 4th and 9 now from the Bucs' 37.

[Stephen_Holder]

Buc-Luck... That's funny, Pete.

[Stephen_Holder]

No huddle here for the Bucs deep in Seattle territory. They convert and get a first down out of it with 8:24 left in the half.

[Stephen_Holder]

Even though the Bucs come up short there on third down gotta give the offensive line credit. They're making some great adjustments against the Seattle front, which is trying its best to throw them off. Garcia has a lot of time to throw today.

[Pete]

Back to that botched attempt at a flea-flicker ... is that the first time that Jermaine Philips has made a play? Ever? I can't recall ... all I remember of 23 is him getting blown up at the goal-line by Detroit's Kevin Jones a couple of years ago.

[Stephen_Holder]

Engram just hauls in a 49-yard pass from Hasselbeck and Barrett Ruud is a step behind in the coverage. Looks like he lost track of the ball. And the biggest question is why Cato June continues to come to the sideline on passing downs. Seems stubborn to me.

[Ricky]

Bucs defense is really playing well. Bending but not breaking and Derrick Brooks missing a step? HA!......

[Mr.T]

Stephen, I thought June would be staying on the field. He's fast why would they take him out?

[Stephen_Holder]

Not sure whether this has been discussed on TV, but Boston will not play today. Seems he has a foot injury. Not sure when that happened.

[Stephen_Holder]

Mr. T, because they take out the strong side LB in the nickel package, when they add the fifth DB. I thought for sure they would make some exceptions to this rule. I mean, June was the biggest offseason acquisition on defense, right? I don't get it. Seems like a waste.

[Ish Engle]

I think the foot injury happened during a sobriety test not too long ago. :-)

[Ricky]

Whats going on with Michael Clayton and playing like he does want to be in Seattle?

[Pete]

And there in lies the true meaning of Buc-Luck.

[Stephen_Holder]

That was a very Kenyatta-like series for Davin Joseph: a hold, false start and chop block on consecutive plays. Ouch.

[Ish Engle]

Not only did he NOT chop block, he didn't even block on that series.

[Ish Engle]

err, I meant that play. Sorry.

[Stephen_Holder]

Good teams find a way to win. And the Seahawks just found a way to turn the game in their favor with that 56-yard punt return by Burleson.

[Daniel]

That TD has to take the wind out of Tampa Bay's sails. They out play the 'Hawks the entire first half and barring a minor miracle on the kickoff, will probably go into the half trailing. I hope Jon has a good half time speech. They just reversed the TD, but Alexander punched it in anyway. The Bucs have a shot, but have to score TD's, not field goals.

[Stephen_Holder]

Daniel, my thoughts exactly. You can't give a team like Seattle chances. They now have the upper hand. This is still very much anyone's game, but for an underdog on the road, there's a big difference between leading 6-3 and trailing 10-6 as they are with :19 left in the half.

[Stephen_Holder]

This is very random, but the Washington State marching band just took the field -- and got booed. This is UW country I guess.

[Clint]

Where was Trotter on the last play? Is he playing today? Who is #26? Nice attempt to tackle!

[T]

Stephen,

I thought they'd make that exception, too. June is just too fast to take off the field in passing situations.

[Clint]

Why is Clayton playing? Time to let Stovall play in Calyton's spot.

[Stephen_Holder]

Sorry. Was taking a quick break. Regarding the question about Trotter, he isn't activated today. He's only been on the team for less than a week, remember. And No. 26 is Will Allen. Tanard Jackson just took is job as you probably know.

[Stephen_Holder]

Clint, remember, Gruden said he would use a committee of guys at receiver, so that's what we're seeing. Clayton and Stovall are getting reps. They'll have to take advantage when they get them.

[Clint]

Our defence looks good but the pass rush seems non-existant. (Bar Brooks)

[Stephen_Holder]

Seattle has first down at the 35 with 11:57 in the third. The defensive ends are Spires (RE) and Carter (LE). We're not seeing a whole lot of Gaines Adams. The theory up here in the press box is the Bucs don't want to make him a target for Seattle's running game. SOmehow, I thought we'd see more of him.

[Daniel]

Kelly is playing lights out today, the man he is covering, Branch, does not have a catch. His coverage was a big part of Spire's sack. We really missed him last year.

[Stephen_Holder]

Cadillac just got up after that shot from Tatupu. He looks like he doesn't know where the heck he is.

Cadillac could be going to the locker room for X-rays, quite possibly. That last series halfway through the third quarter could be the worst of the game for the Bucs when you consider how bad Garcia looked and the injury to Williams. This momentum has totally shifted.

[Stephen_Holder]

This might be obvious, but Garcia has to get rid of the ball faster. He is playing way too tentative today, especially since the end of the first quarter. He took that sack from Kerney and probably didn't have to. Hilliard was available to him on that play.

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, people, the season is hanging in the balance here based on the outcomes of the two injuries we've just witnessed: Cadillac and Garcia on consecutive series. Garcia took a heck of a shot. Would be surprised if he doesn't have a concussion.

[Daniel]

That shot Garcia took hurt me, I hope he can come back in soon as McCoun just threw it into quadruple coverage.

[Stephen_Holder]

Garcia just came out of the locker room. He was in there to take a test of some kind, probably a required concussion test.

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, that might be the most bizarre play I've ever seen: Josh Bidwell drops back to punt but stops and holds the ball when he thinks he hears a whistle. He gets stuffed by defenders who don't stop. Officials let the Bucs replay the down because of a whistle coming from the crowd. Believe that comes under the fan interference part of the rule book.

[Stephen_Holder]

That was a very badly missed tackle by Brooks on a swing pass to Alexander. Allows the Seahawks to make a first down with 2:40 left in the third quarter. That's not what you want to see from your defensive leader.

[Mike M]

The Bucs have totally unraveled.

[Stephen_Holder]

We're keeping an eye on Brian Kelly. He's on the sideline with an injury. Looks like a groin

[Stephen_Holder]

For those of you unable to watch, it's 13-6 on Brown's 46-yard FG. And more injury news: Cadillac is done for the day with bruised ribs, we believe. Kelly's status is questionable.

[Stephen_Holder]

the Bucs are running out of key players to sustain injuries.