Live from Carolina

We're almost ready to go here in sunny Charlotte for the Bucs-Panthers game. There's a noticable buzz around the place. You can tell this is a big game. I'm noticing a lot of Bucs fans, too.

A couple newsy notes before we begin. Cornerback Brian Kelly is out today, presumably because of the groin strain he aggravated last week when he returned from missing Week 2. That puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the secondary to respond with Steve Smith roaming around out there. Good news is that Phillip Buchanon played his best game as a member of the Bucs last week against St. Louis, so the Bucs feel good about him.

The other inactives today are Chris Simms, Luke McCown (emergency quarterback), Jeremiah Trotter, Adam Hayward, Anthony Davis, Dan Buenning, Ryan Sims.

For the Panthers, Jake Delhomme is a no-go. He's inactive despite saying as recently as Friday that he was unsure whether his elbow injury would prevent him from lining up.

We'll be back later with analysis and news throughout the afternoon, so check the comments below for more.

(Pictured: Phillip Buchanon. Times photo - Brendan Fitterer. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[M. Reynolds]

Time to pay the piper, kitties.

[Stephen_Holder]

This has nothing to do with the action on the field, but here's how you know it's a big game: Charlotte Bobcats co-owner Michael Jordan just walked through the press box presumably on his way to a private suite. It was like the Pope walked into the room. Everyone hushed and just watched. Pretty cool.

[M. Reynolds]

Let's hear the superlatives, Mr. Holder. How about #7, #19, and #24 (minus the drop) on that drive? I do believe we've got a contender offense to go with that contender defense. :D

[Tim]

that drive looked good, but I still would like to Graham play some at running back to see if he can do it two weeks in a row

[Achmed Mohammed: Engineering Student, USF]

Well.......'OL Twinkle Toes "takes it in".......

T.O. must have been right.....no straight guy could dance it in like that.

"Everyone hushed and just watched. Pretty cool."

Pretty pathetic. If only Jesus would get the liberal crowd to hush and look at Him with awe for a moment.

[Stephen_Holder]

Nice use of the no huddle on that first drive. Keeping the Panthers on their toes. One thing this offense wasn't last year was unpredictable.

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, this is getting old: Caddy still can't catch. Two drops in two possessions. That's unacceptable. Now, as a runner, he is showing some determination today. Hitting the hole with some purpose. He was not doing that the past few weeks.

[Stephen_Holder]

They're carting Cadillac off the field. Looks like his right knee just did something ugly on perhaps his best run of the season.

[Tim]

I wanted to see Graham, but I never wanted to be because of injury

[Stephen_Holder]

He's in a lot of pain folks. This ain't good.

[rob]

I guess the pundits were right about Catarac being brittle, and then Gruden promising to run the shlt out of him this season.

[Duffiedawg]

PUH-leeze, ya'll

I am marooned up here in South GA, and the only game indications I have is this blog, and ESPN's Gamecast, which is about 10 minutes behind time.

Please post, so I will know how much we are taming the kitty-kats!!

Winston

[John P]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I present the new starting tailback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Earnest Graham.

[Duffiedawg]

Looks like "Mr. August" might have just become "Mr Season"!

[M. Reynolds]

Well haters, you just got your wish. I hope you're happy. That's an MCL tear if I've ever seen one. I'm glad Earnest is doing well, but this is the last thing we needed. I hope Caddy can come back from this, as I'm betting you just saw the end of his season.

[Derek]

I swear I heard him yell when it happened from the TV audio. having Torn an ACL playing baseball, I can tell you that it looked very similar to what happened to me. I think his year is done.

[Stephen_Holder]

For those not watching, Cadillac is done for the day, probably much, much longer. Steve Smith was standing on the sideline right in front of where Williams went down, and you can see him on replays immediately calling for the trainers. My guess is Carnell probably let out a loud groan or something. On the flip side, the Bucs just took it again with Graham scoring from 1 yard out. It's 14-0 with :43 seconds left in the first quarter.

[Jesse]

I agree with Winston. I am a die hard Bucs fan since '76, and now, I live in middle GA. You would think that the local stations here would show such an important NFC matchup with implications for the Falcons. Please let us know what is happening!

[Mr.T]

I think Caddy has torn MCL and ACL...yes, both. Yes, bad.

[Duffiedawg]

Hate to hear it abouth the Caddy. Check my other posts, where I had him as a HOFamer, I still believe he was the best draft since Leroy Selmon.

[Mr.T]

Nice to see the Cats shutdown. I want to see Gru and Garcia put the hammer down and squash their breath out of this game. A true statement needs to be made.

[JUSTICE]

This is very bad. I'm a UF alum and I know the talent difference between Graham and Caddy. Caddy is much more elusive. Those of you who were calling for Graham are morons. That's a 2 year injury, folks. That was very sad!

[Jesse]

What are the implications for the Bucs being up 14-0? Does this mean that Carr will be forced to throw? If so, how is the pass rush looking, Stephen?

[Stephen_Holder]

Here's an interesting tidbit: first quarter just ended and the Bucs are yet to allow a single point in the first quarter. They have outscored opponents 27-0 in the first quarter. Last season? The Bucs scored 30 points all season during the first quarter against 82 for opponents.

[Duffiedawg]

What am I posting, he is already in the HOF, with his cleats from the rookie season.

He will make more impact than that, though

[Stephen_Holder]

The explosion you saw from Cadillac on the play on which he was injured is exactly why I agree with Gruden for sticking with him. I was in favor of mixing it up from time to time, but Carnell Williams is the best running back on this team -- period.

[John P]

I don't think this Buc team is going to miss Caddy as much as previous ones might have. If you look at the offense this year, it's predicated on power running and vertical passing. You don't have to have a guy who can break it for 80 yards on every play - you just need one who can pound the line and at least get 4 yards. I think Graham is perfect for it - maybe a better fit than Williams actually.

[Stephen_Holder]

And Jesse, the pass rush is better so far. I've seen Kevin Carter in there a bit harrassing Carr and Greg White has been very active, too. He's getting A LOT of playing time.

[Duffiedawg]

Faith in Carnell Williams, Cadillacs will always roll!!

[John P]

I don't disagree about Caddy's explosiveness, but his track record of durablity pointed to something happening. He came advertised as a 25 carry a game back - which he is most certainly not - because of his physical make up.

[Jesse]

Thanks Stephen. From the posts that I have seen thus far, it seems that Bucs fans are divided about who the feature back should be: Cadillac (now Pittman) or Graham. But I think that I like the 'running back by committee' approach. As I recall, this seems to serve Gruden well in Oakland.

[Duffiedawg]

Thanks, ya'll for the postings. Even though Gru's boner was TMI, it shows the feel of the game

[Stephen_Holder]

John, I agree. That's why I say I was in favor of Jon mixing up the carries a little. But an total overhaul of the lineup was a little ridiculous, I thought.

[David]

I have a feeling that Smith probably heard the injury and that is what produced the reaction. Is EG still playing on the special teams with injury, that could be an unfortunate side effect to Caddy's injury, EG has been a standout on the coverage teams

[Jesse]

Big statement on the 3rd and 1. What happened?

[kenny]

Another Offensive Injury???!!!

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, it gets worse. Luke Petitgout just left with a right knee injury. He has already been ruled out of the game.

[Stephen_Holder]

Donald Penn will be lining up against Mike Rucker the rest of the day. And the Bucs don't have another tackle activated. Anthony Davis is inactive today.

[JUSTICE]

thanks steve smith. big drop!

[Jesse]

Carr and his receivers are having a terrible day. If the Panthers coach yanks Carr, who is #3 behind him? Chris Weinke?

[Duffiedawg]

If this team just keeps on keepin' on we can show total domanince in NFC South.

That should be enough to make sportswriters acknowledge what the Bucs have accomplished, not what other teams have failed to do. (NO< Rams).

We ate their lunch, and dessert from dinner besides, and all the talk was about their failures.

Might it be possible to put the Dungy/Gruden debate away for good? Love, and respect Tony, but it took Gruden's fire to take it over the top.

This really is his first year under complete control. Too bad, it's sink or swim.

[Jesse]

With all of the injuries, this sounds like a typical Bucs-Panthers game. Man, these teams play hard against each other!

[JUSTICE]

What a throw by Garcia! 55 yard on a rope to Hillard!

[David]

Didn't Joesph play tackle in college, Stephen has he taken any reps there in practice as an emergency type preperation?

[Duffiedawg]

Talk to me, I see great things happening!!!

[John P]

What bothers you more? Losing Luke Petitgout - or having Donald Penn on the field at all? He is an EXTREME weak link on the offensive line. Scary bad player.

[Stephen_Holder]

Not to my knowledge David. By the way guys, Hilliard is over 100 yards with that 56-yard reception. Seven catches, 114 yards. Wow

Old Man? Wow! I at 66 may just walk around the block in celebration!

[Mike]

Stephen, Can you tell us if there is any more info on Petitgout's injury? No offense, if Petitgout is out a long period of time we can forget playoffs. Penn and Davis stink to high heaven.