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.

[Winston]

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.

[Winston]

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.

[Winston]

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.

[Winston]

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.

[Winston]

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.

[Winston]

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?

[Winston]

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?

[Winston]

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.

[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.

[Wayne]

Winston,

Try NFL live at nfl.com. Much more timely results. I am in Bamberg Germany.

[Jesse]

The Bucs defense needs to hunker down and not allow any points to be scored on them. They always seem to allow points just before the half of a game.

Thanks Wayne,

Headed there. So Frustrating.

[Stephen_Holder]

All I can say about Petitgout is that we immediately got word that he was out for the day. That is very, very bad news. Usually they don't have a definitive answer until doing further examination. They must have been able to tell there was some extensive damage right away.

[Mike]

Stephen, I agree bad news on Petitgout.

ONCE AGAIN, we can't underestimate the damage to the bucs offense..WORSE than the loss of CADDY.

PENN AND DAVIS STINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[John P]

The odds are on the Bucs side to get out of here with a 3-1 record. Without a LT though, the rest of the year could be very rough.

[Jesse]

The Panthers offense is eating up a lot of clock and getting nowhere!

[Mike]

John P, You are right and I dont know why anyone else is going crazy over this. Yes they look good today but in a noisy stadium on the road against a good rusher, PENN AND AD will stink it up. Remember a good O-line involves cohesion.

Stephen, please see if your sources can find out anymore than just out for the game on Petitgout.

[Mike]

John P, You are right and I dont know why anyone else is going crazy over this. Yes they look good today but in a noisy stadium on the road against a good rusher, PENN AND AD will stink it up. Remember a good O-line involves cohesion.

Stephen, please see if your sources can find out anymore than just out for the game on Petitgout.

[Jesse]

Collectively, the running backs have rushed the ball 18 times for 94 yards. If that was one RB, we would argue that he was having a good day. I really don't care who the ball carrier is, I like those statistics!

[Wayne]

How has Penn done since he replaced Pettigout? Have they been utilizing a TE to shore up the line on that side?

[Justin]

I'm happy with Penn at LT than Anthony Davis.

[John P]

Justin,

Saying you're happier with Donald Penn playing than Davis - is the equal to saying you prefer death by cyanide over death by a hand grenade. Either way, you're doomed.

[tom m]

Well, I wasn't so sure about Garcia. I thought, well, maybe a few games.

I am very impressed!

Let's keep it together.

[Stephen_Holder]

Patrick Chukwurah is getting some time on this possession, Carolina's first of the half. He just made a nice play past the Carolina LT and buried Carr as he released the ball. Been a long time coming for him. That's probably his first defensive series of the season. He'd been sidelined by a knee injury and not active until today.

[Jesse]

Tiger Pittman! Tiger Pittman! We might be o.k. without Cadillac. As Sean Salisbury just said on ESPN radio: "You know what, every team is dealing with injuries."

[Winston]

Went tp tje Litty-Kat Blog this week, and there was hilariaty about comments from Gru and Barber about Smith and Peppers. One suggested Barber offering Smith a bottle of water, since he had run for a TD so many times.

I wonder if Rhonde has offered his bottle to rinse the taste of hind-titty out of Smith's mouth? 2 for 5?

GO BARBER!!! AND DDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!

[Jesse]

Stephen, how is the offensive line holding up in the second half thus far? It seems that the Bucs are running the ball pretty well. Are they running to the left side?

[Stephen_Holder]

Lots of empty seats in this place. You should see it. It's alarming that people are leaving with 7:14 left in the third quarter. Maybe they're in the concourses. I don't know. They ain't watching though. That's for sure.

[Winston]

Hey Wayne from Germany (I assume one of our fine soldiers!)

Thanks for the head-up version, as this is far superior to ESPN.

[Stephen_Holder]

Jesse, offensive line isn't doing bad. They are being more physical than the Carolina linemen right now. They're running mostly to the right, which is no surprise. But on a couple of occassions, the backs have cut back to the left with success.

[John P]

Kind of a charmed way to start the season, don't you think? Game 2, NO, they lay down properly for us to run them over (Super Bowl contenders, indeed). Game 3, St Louis, they develop so many injuries that their vaunted offense is completely crippled. Game 4, Carolina, the QB gets an elbow strain and turns the reins over to a completely inadequete replacement. For game 5, I'd like Peyton Manning declare his desire to enter bull fighting and immediately depart for Barcelona, Spain.

[demetrius]

Damn homie--

That Whitey QB Garcia is better at rushing than my oppressed brotha' Vick!

[Jesse]

I still like the call on 4th and 1. Go for the touchdown!

[Stephen_Holder]

Graham gets stuffed on a fourth and goal at the one-foot line. I like the decision to go for it. It would have been a back breaker. But the slow developing handoffs to Graham might not be the best decision down there. How about Garcia over the top? He certainly doesn't have a problem with contact.

[John P]

That goal line stand has gotta make the Panthers feel a lot better - win or lose. No matter what the line did right today - they couldn't get a yard when they had 3 cracks at it.

where's cato june? Quincy black playing for him? hurt?

[Mike]

Folks just cause Donald Penn looks like an ALL PRO today doesnt mean nothin. All we're doing is runnning cause we are ahead. Let'see how the LT losers do in a noisy place with a pass rusher licking their chops.

AGAIN STEPHEN, please let us know if you get any more info on Petitgout after the game.

[Brent]

Hey Stephen...Brent from Australia here. Question - where's Galloway? He has no stats on NFL Live...is he playing? If so has Garcia looked his way at all?

[Jesse]

It seems that Mark Jones is having a good day. That is reason to be optimistic about special teams.

[o'toole]

me thinks after this game gruden and garcia are going to be trading sweaty jock-straps under the sheets.

TO said garcia was gay, and grudens wife has lost interest 'cause he leaves the house at 2am for work and doesn't get home till 11pm.

And he's always an asss at the dinner table

[Stephen_Holder]

Brent, Galloway's playing. Carolina's just sort of taking him out of the game. He doesn't have any catches. Remember, I said there'd be days like this. That's why they have to get somebody else going at the receiver position. today's it's Hilliard.

[PrimeTime]

Where's Barrett Ruud?

Any news on Cato June? Is he playing?

[Mr.T]

Yeah, O'toole I recognize you. You guys couldn't come up with any footbal reasons you'd win, so you came with that lame stuff.

I told you what would happen in Charlotte. Take your loss and shut up.

[John P]

After this game, Charlotte will start saying prayers for Delhomme's return to good health. They are incredibly bad with Carr at center.

[o'toole]

mr t (turdwad)

dems' da' facts.

:)

[Stephen_Holder]

Carr has been dreadful today. I can't believe this is the guy who was the No. 1 pick once.

[MrT]

Perfect name for you while Jeff spends every night with Carmella and you with Rosy!

Good night, folks, try the veal...out!

[Daniel]

The Bucs D is playing lights out today, Penn seems to be holding his own at LT as well. I hope Caddy recovers as he is the best back the Bucs have. While Graham is a nice change of pace, he is no Caddy.

[Mr.T]

Good points, Dan, but, we did win a SB with Pittman. We just need to move the chains and protect the ball all year.

[DOUG]

GRUDEN!!!!!!

GRUDEN!!!!!!!

GRUDEN!!!!!!!!!!!

OUR LORD AND SAVIOR TO THOSE OF US WHO BELEIVED AND NEVER FAULTERED!!!!!!!!!

[Daniel]

Mr T, I agree, protect the ball and move the chains is the name of the game. Why is O'Toole talking doo-doo when his team is getting shut out? Shouldn't he be eating crow?

[MrT.]

I told them we'd have the crow ready for them.

Let's get the fryers going since they like everything fried! I think they're bringing barbecue sauce!

[Stephen_Holder]

Gonna head to the locker room. Hope to have some news on the injuries for those of you who desperately want to know. Check back later as I'll be gone for a good while. In the meantime, enjoy the spirited conversation. And be nice :)

[Mr.T]

We'll try, Stephen! I think Caddy's out for year and hopeful Luke is only out a game or 2. Please let us know.

Mr.T

[Winston]

Daniel,

The D has been playing light-out for four weeks, certainly 3 weeks.

It is just in the last 3 weeks that the offense has showed up. Ain't it wonderful!

DOUG, It's just now we can see what Gru is capable of. Salaray Cap: OK.
Second and Third Year on Draft Picks: OK (Look at Trueblood!).

Finally a QB that understands him, and will tell him to piss up a rope when he is wrong: OK

Thank you Jeff Garcia, you are the primer for Gruden's live ammunition!

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, everyone. I'm down near the locker room on my PDA standing next to Petitgout. He's on crutches and tells me it doesn't look great. He's gonna be looked at further tomorrow and we'll know more then.

[Jesse]

Is anyone left in the Panthers' stadium?

[John P]

Lost the shutout - rats!!!!!! That would've been very sweet on their home field.

[MIke]

STEPHEN

LET ME KEEP SAYING IT-

NO PETITGOUT = NO PLAYOFFS

Don't agree, Mike. We're better with him in, but, he's not as key as Jeff.

I think it's a week to 4. Caddy I think is out for season.

[Neo]

Oh no! Petitgout's hurt... according to some of you they may as well cancel the season. Give me a break.

[Derek]

Doug I'm still not sold on Gruden's play calling. We have the offense to score more than 2 TD's and 2 FG's. Carolina's Defense wasn't sharp all game. We're gonna have a tough time unless Gruden opens up the field a little bit and stops this Conservative West Coast offense.

Am I correct, that today, Trueblood held Peppers to just 2 tackles, and one assist? This was the last I saw at the NFL.

If this is so, give this man the Super-Bowl trophy to hold for a while, like the Lightening did with the Stanley Cup.

For God's sake, this was LeRoy Selmon incarnated he held to that number!!

Sorry guys, if you dont know that you need a solid guy to pass protect on the left side for your QB's blind side, then you need to check your football knowledge.

[Neo]

I don't think anyone is disputing that losing your LT is hard... but to come right out right after it happens and say the Bucs aren't making the playoffs after that is a little much, no?

[JoeMB]

Yeah, Gruden should have opened it up and risked an INT or two.

[John P]

Neo, a few words to dispute your position: Anthony Davis and Donald Penn.

Either of those two guys at left tackle create a game plan for a defense to attack with. I'm sorry, but even in pre-season Penn gave up 3 sacks against back up quality people. Garcia is going to get hurt with a guy like that protecting him.

As far as Davis goes - he hasn't been good enough to play LT since he's been here - and he still isn't. He's a back up guard quality player - at best. He's slow, can't stop an edge rusher and has poor pass protection technique.

Are they doomed with these guys against a good defense? Time will tell, but I think it's very hard to overcome.

[j.k.]

Do any of you actually watch the game or just weigh in on the internet? How do you all comment without missing parts of the game? Band wagon jumpers no doubt.

[Stephen_Holder]

Guys, check out the post directly above this one for the injury updates. It's not good.

UH STEPHEN THERE IS NO POST DIRECTLY ABOVE YOURS... COME AGAIN?

[Jay]

He means the blog he just posted. Both Caddy and Pettigout are done for the season (Caddy with a torn patellar ligament and Luke with an MCL). Both really bad losses, but for some reason it doesn't seem like the end of the world for this team.

Oh, and I think this game just solidified that Buchannon will get a new contract before the end of the season.

Jay, I dont see where it says that..

BUT Petitgout told The Tampa Tribune he won't be out long.

Somebody aint telling the truth.

And yeah we are toast without Petitgout.

From the Tampa Tribune

It is believed to be that Bucs RB Cadillac Williams tore the patella tendon in his right knee during Tampa Bay’s 20-7 victory against Carolina.

Williams was on crutches after Tampa Bay’s 20-7 victory against Carolina and would not elaborate, but was not optimistic about his injury.

“I don’t know what it is. All I know is it’s severe,” Williams said.

Williams hurt his right knee during the first quarter against Carolina after a hit by Panthers safety Chris Harris. He was in agony after the injury and taken off the field in a golf cart. He is expected to have an MRI on Monday to access the damage.

In addition, Bucs left tackle Luke Petitgout he sprained his right knee and also plans to have more details tomorrow.

“I shouldn’t be out long,” Petitgout said.