It's game time
Okay, here's the scoop. Lots of roster news.
For the Colts, WR Marvin Harrison, RB Joseph Addai and S Bob Sanders are all out with injuries. For the Bucs, there is one interesting change in the starting lineup: Greg White starts at right defensive end over Kevin Carter. Greg Spires is at left end. Not sure why. In the secondary, Brian Kelly is a go but won't start. He is still coming back from that groin injury. Phillip Buchanon will start at left cornerback in his place.
The Bucs' inactives today are: Chris Simms, Luke McCown (No. 3 QB), Sammy Davis, Jeremiah Trotter, Adam Hayward, Dan Buenning, Dennis Roland and Ryan Sims.
We'll keep you posted on the details throughout the day. Check back for my comments below as we see how the Bucs fare in their biggest test of the season.
And by the way, it's already loud in the RCA Dome. This place is going to be shaking today. Very tough place to play. See ya soon.
Bucs Beat is the online destination for Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans interested in the latest news about the team. St. Petersburg Times reporters Rick Stroud, Stephen Holder, Dave Scheiber and Joe Smith will provide regular updates. Readers can comment on players, coaches, the front office - all of it.
where is the defense?
Posted by: sam | October 07, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Shut up reaper. the game has just started
Posted by: | October 07, 2007 at 04:17 PM
The Colts have an impressive O-line, Manning had all day on his drive.
Posted by: Daniel | October 07, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Steroid Pittman SPANKED TWICE in the backfield!!!!!!!
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Freeny is abbusing Donald Penn on running plays.
Posted by: Daniel | October 07, 2007 at 04:22 PM
That TD was the first by a Bucs opponent in the first quarter this season. And the interior of the offensive line is getting demolished right now. And notice, Freeney isn't even lining up against Penn in most cases. He's flipped over to left end and is blowing by Trueblood instead. That's not promising.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Jesus(Dungy) vs. Satan(Gruden).
We all know the ending before it starts.
Posted by: kurt g | October 07, 2007 at 04:22 PM
3-2, here we come. Big question remaining: How soon before the end of the game will Dungy crack his first smile?
Posted by: John P | October 07, 2007 at 04:27 PM
4th and 1.......FIRST DOWN!
Guts and Glory!!!!!!!!!
Gruden gets punked!
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:30 PM
Until they get some pressure on Manning this is going to be a long day. He is having a much too easy time back there.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Gaines Adams punked & out!
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:32 PM
See, Stephen...this is what people fail to realize. Jon Gruden does NOT adjust to defenses. He throws the same trash out there and says "hey! adjust to us.."
Posted by: Mike | October 07, 2007 at 04:32 PM
Go join the other big draft pick Adams.....Caddy
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:33 PM
Agreed Mike. This would be a good day to go to the shotgun more frequently.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 04:34 PM
you can just see the energy by the colts to beat gruden for dungy. that's coaching.
Posted by: gregg | October 07, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Kurt, the Colts have the best QB in the league and a very good O-line. The Bucs need some pressure on the QB for Satan to get a W
Posted by: Daniel | October 07, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Well, does anyone else wanna praise Gruden and the brilliant game planning he's been doing? Guys? Anyone? You were all here last week! Guys?
*crickets chirping in the audience*
Posted by: Jethro | October 07, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Barber feeling the pressure and getting sloppy!
First down Colts!
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:37 PM
TOUCDOWN # 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In only 15 minutes of play!
Gruden punked again EARLY!!!!!!!
C'Mon Savior Garcia......pretend your Manning now by calling audibles!
Ha-Ha-Ha!!!!!!
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:39 PM
The Bucs need a score on their next drive.
Posted by: Daniel | October 07, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Football is won at the line of scrimmage, and unfortunately, that's where the Bucs are getting whipped right now. On offense and defense, they are playing putridly in the trenches. This team is not showing toughness right now.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Adams blocked the extra point
Posted by: Daniel | October 07, 2007 at 04:42 PM
Gaycia PUNKED on 3rd down!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Here's the first down count: Colts 10, Bucs 0. That, my friends, is ugly.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 04:44 PM
Adams blocked the extra point
==========
Yep.........that's what he was brought here for I guess.
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:45 PM
And another thing, this is where Gruden's offense hurts them. They are moving laterally and they are down 14-0. That's not going to get it done. It's not a come-from-behind offensive scheme, that's for sure.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Now the Bucs are Cheap Shottin' their hits(throat/headshot).....they are worried
The Colts will have an answer for that I promose.
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Dumb penalty, good pick.
Posted by: Daniel | October 07, 2007 at 04:50 PM
When was the last time a game was so over, so quickly? Reminds you of last week, from the Panthers persective.
Posted by: Jethro | October 07, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Interception you say?
Garcia.............3 and out.
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Dallas Clark got whacked!!
The last couple of plays, Peyton has looked not as comfortable back there and lookie here, an interception. Nice.
I don't know if it will matter in the end without any offense but it was still nice...
Posted by: aakBstn | October 07, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Good thing Pittmans on high doses of HGH
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:53 PM
hoo-wee! That's some kind of run blocking, aint it boys? That's some high priced whiffing goin' on, aint it?
Posted by: Jethro | October 07, 2007 at 04:54 PM
Can we keep a healthy running back, please?
Posted by: John P | October 07, 2007 at 04:56 PM
Pittman........steroids eventually deteriorate the body boy.........nice ankle injury you running back
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:56 PM
Michael Pittman is down... Has been for a while. They're getting the cart for him.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 04:57 PM
What's with all the trolls are their lives so pathetically sad, they need to bother other people?
Posted by: Alexander Trinkits III | October 07, 2007 at 04:57 PM
Reaper, lower than low making fun of an injured player. Save it for another time.
Posted by: John P | October 07, 2007 at 04:57 PM
He's done it looks like. What next?
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 04:58 PM
Reaper, Are you a Colts fan trolling? or a Bucs fan undercover trolling?
Posted by: Daniel | October 07, 2007 at 04:58 PM
I think Gruden is great.
I just speaks da' truth
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Well, we now have 2 bowling balls in Graham and Darby to hand the ball off to. They need to step up like their jobs depend on it.
Posted by: John P | October 07, 2007 at 05:00 PM
Signs of life!!!!!!!
Posted by: John P | October 07, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Gruden is a compassionate stud. He could make me go straight.
Just stay out of the sun........I hate freckle-faced bodies.
Posted by: Rosie | October 07, 2007 at 05:02 PM
I see a trade coming this week....
Posted by: Jason S | October 07, 2007 at 05:02 PM
They're saying Pittman's return is questionable right now. I don't know. His ankle got rolled up from behind pretty badly. And Reaper, gotta agree with these guys. I ain't thin skinned or anything, but you can't hve fun at the expense of an injured guy.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 05:02 PM
Steroid Pittman.
Colts payback.
No more, No less.
Posted by: the Reaper | October 07, 2007 at 05:03 PM
Reaper, you're a low-life...
Posted by: Jason S | October 07, 2007 at 05:04 PM
The Bucs did the right thing on that TD to Alex Smith: they moved Garcia and allowed him to throw on the run. This seems like the only solution to their inability to block.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | October 07, 2007 at 05:04 PM
Pittman might play, but until that ankle gets well he's not going to have the acceleration he has to have. I think Darby has to play now, and he's got to play well. Otherwise, the load falls on Graham entirely, and I think it might be too much for him.
Posted by: John P | October 07, 2007 at 05:05 PM