Bucs-Lions Live

We've made it here to Ford Field where kickoff is moments away. That, apparently is something of an accomplishment.

For some reason, every time I've mentioned in the past few days that I was going to Detroit this weekend, people offered to hold my wallet for me until I returned to Tampa. Not sure what that was all about.

Anyhow, the game just kicked off and we'll be here to keep you posted throughout. As we mentioned last night, Alex Smith, Patrick Chukwurah and Brian Kelly are inactive today. Check the comments section below for updates throughout the afternoon.

Comments

[Stephen_Holder]

That was some hit Clayton took on his first down catch. I'm told he injured his ankle and his return is likely. For a minute there, that sure looked a lot like Cadillac's injury -- ugly.

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, so far we have a sack and fumble that's been overturned on replay, followed by a sack by Dewayne White after a poor effort from Trueblood, followed by a blocked punt on which a Detroit player was unblocked. Not a great start for Tampa Bay.

[aakBstn]

Looks like they're just marching down the field. Did we put the defense out there?

[aakBstn]

Do you think we'll get the reivew?

[John P]

That one is coming back. Too bad.

[aakBstn]

Well, that certainly could have been worse.

Maybe this will be the one that we run back.

[aakBstn]

What the heck's going on? This looks like (from the web anyway) like a really sloppy game.

[Stephen_Holder]

Sloppy is a good word. I've been trying to re-establish my connection for a while. Sorry to be gone. Jones just scored from a yard out by the way.

[Stephen_Holder]

It's now 10-0 with 2:51 left in the first. And this is where the Bucs get into trouble. Their offense doesn't lend itself to coming from behind. They do have the potential to make some big plays against this porous Detroit defense, but it won't be easy to rally in this stadium. There's a lot of energy in here right now.

[Nate Dogg]

whatever, at least Graham has been going early on...he'll learn from that simple fumble mistake hopefully we can counter attack and go back at them to make it 7-10!

[John P]

Looks like a long day in Motown. Detroit's offense is too good for the kind of sloppiness that's being seen. They'll score 40 today if this keeps up.

[Mike]

Not sure why anyone here thinks the bucs are actually good...this team is sloppy and poorly coached and certainly worse than their record

[John P]

Another leg injury. Who will return kickoffs with Jones and Pittman out? Hilliard?

[Nate Dogg]

This injury bug is gettin reallll old...

[Stephen_Holder]

Mark Jones just had to taken off on a cart after sustaining what I'm told is a left knee sprain. He's already been ruled out for the game, so that tells me this is likely worse than a sprain. Someone else will have to step in at kick and punt returner. With Pittman out, I'm not sure who that is right now. Think we'll see Buchanon on punts possibly.

[John P]

They have a lot of room underneath today. Wide open backs and receivers.

[Mike]

Pathetic. Just pathetic. Gruden should get an award for best coach who relies on old men to win football games. Who has Gruden developed?

[John P]

Buchanon was a stellar returner with the Raiders, so I'm kind of curious to see him out there fielding punts. Should be interesting.

[Stephen_Holder]

That's four weeks in a row now pivotal players have been taken off on carts: Cadillac, Pittman, Alex Smith and now Jones. And yes, Hilliard would be an option on punts. Clayton can handle kickoffs but who knows whether he's up for that after being hurt earlier in the game. What a mess.

[Nate Dogg]

Uhh who the he11 are you, mike? Stick to commenting on things relevant to what's currently going on in the game. One "old dude" just connected to another "old dude" for a great pass, and now they're down to the 15...

[aakBstn]

It seems like they're moving the ball...just too sloppy. Hopefully they can put some points up and then (defense willing) it's a game again.

[John P]

Graham is running with purpose today. I think you see a man who realizes his window is closing quickly.

[John P]

God bless Garcia. Just can't say enough about his rollout ability. We've never, ever had a guy that could do that.

[aakBstn]

Well, there you go. Now it's up to the defense.

[Nate Dogg]

After that TD score, the Bucs D really needs to make a stop and get the ball back to the offense! Buckle down, boys!

[Stephen_Holder]

Nice play by Garcia on a touchdown pass to Ike. But Garcia is going to have to do a lot of this on his own today. The pass protection is just not good, period. The Lions are also sending extra guys to rush at times. The Bucs are going to have to find some solutions or Garcia is going to be exhausted by day's end from running for a his life.

[Mike]

Uh, NATE DOGG, go back to making that bad 90's rap would ya?

[Stephen_Holder]

And on another injury note, we haven't seen Clayton come back yet. He doesn't appear to be on the sideline, either. Could be getting examined.

[Stephen_Holder]

See who just made that tackle? Jeremiah Trotter. Yes, he lives! He was on the kick coverage team just now.

[John P]

The Lions are giving the Bucs all the checkdown throws and trying to take away the deep pass. All they've got to do is stay patient and keep taking those little dump offs and safety valve plays.

[John P]

That was a ferocious tackle by Trotter on the kickoff, by the way.

[John P]

Hilliard on punt returns now.

[Stephen_Holder]

Graham is giving them some nice first down runs. That's critical to putting the Bucs in makable third-down situations. He can have a big day agaisnt this Detroit run defense.

[John P]

Graham is lowering his shoulder and delivering a hit everytime before he's tackled. Gotta love a back that does that. And Jeremy Trueblood! Don't be afraid of DeWayne White darn it!

[aakBstn]

For those who can see the game, is Trueblood gone to a new level of sucking today?

[John P]

Garcia is a freaking Houdini. How in the heck is he seeing the rush so well?

[Stephen_Holder]

Aak, Trueblood does have his hands full with Dewayne White. Not faring well so far.

[Stephen_Holder]

The Bucs are using a lot of the quick throw stuff today. That's a good move given the activity of this Detroit line.

[John P]

Garcia is putting on a clinic of short passing today. I can't believe the Lions are giving up the short stuff so willingly. Their LB's have issues.

[John P]

Our young O-linemen are having a bad game of penalties. I count 5 on them so far.

[aakBstn]

I don't know if the Dolphins game is playing in Tampa but as a strange comparison, Tom Brady and Randy Moss are doing things to a defense that should be illegal.

It just makes you jealous...

[John P]

Say whatever you want - the defense will have NO excuse to be tired today. Unreal time of posession in the first half.

[Stephen_Holder]

By the way, let this marinate for a while: Garcia is 19 for 20 for 197 yards. Of course, as I write this, Bryant just missed a 40-yard FG attempt and it remains 10-7 Lions with 2:00 left in the second quarter.

[John P]

Its a shame on the last drive. 16 plays and no points. Rotten results.

[John P]

I hate to say it, but if you're the Bucs this has the look of one of those games that you do everything right except win.

[Stephen_Holder]

It's been a game of wasted opportunities, John. The Bucs miss a field goal late and give up field position and that allows the Lions to go down and get three more. So it's 13-7 at the half.

[Stephen_Holder]

Greg White used a stunt to get that sack of Kitna just now. Maybe that's what the Bucs need, to get creative in their pass rush techniques. They've got to get something going or it's going to be too easy on quarterbacks this season.

[John P]

Dewayne White with another sack. Terrible protection. 3 and out almost instantly. Could you do a worse job on your second half opening drive?

[John P]

I'm sorry, but for the offensive line, they're just playing terribly right now. I don't care what the Bill Muir supporters say - they are not getting better as the season goes on.

[Mike]

John P, We would rather draft trash like Gaines Adams than keep Dewayne White...Dont worry, we're in good hands.