NFC South showdown

We're getting ready for kickoff live from the Superdome.

Before that, we wanted to pass along the latest lineup news. We just told you about Jeff Garcia, who will be the inactive third (emergency) quarterback. The Bucs haven't officially announced a starter, but expect Luke McCown to line up under center.

Elsewhere, WR Micheal Spurlock is among the Bucs' inactives today. That means someone else will be returning kickoffs today. Can't imagine it will be RB Michael Pittman, although he is active today. If he plays, this will be his first game back since re-aggravating that ankle injury at Atlanta a couple weeks ago.

The remaining inactive Bucs are RB Lionel Gates, LB Jeremiah Trotter, G Dan Buenning, TE Keith Heinrich, DE Greg Spires (calf injury) and DT Greg Peterson.

I'll be here throughout the afternoon to comment, analyze and report on the goings-on. Feel free to chime in with questions or just add your own input. See you soon.

(Pictured: Luke McCown, left and Jeff Garcia. Times photo - Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Skylar]

That bonehead play by McCown (running out of bounds) cost us the first down and chance for a TD. I hope he does better as the game goes on.

[Stephen_Holder]

Very creative offensive gameplan by Gruden. I like that first drive. Gruden tried to prevent putting McCown in situations where he had to make decisions. Just draw it up and get rid of the ball quick. Luke isn't good when he has too much time to, well, think. That's why he took a sack there. But remember, that drive has been scripted since probably Wednesday. We'll see whether the remaining possessions go as smoothly.

[Daniel]

Nice drive engineered by Luke, running out of bounds and not throwing the ball away on second down and five shows his inexperiance. That play resulted in a loss of five yards and a sack. Most importantly, that eight yard pass to Stoval on third down WOULD have resulted in a first down. Instead the Bucs settle for three. luke looked good other wise.

[Daniel]

I heard on the radio that Luke beat Simion Rice in a slam dunk contest and is an excelent athlete. He showed his long ball touch in the preseason, now Gruden needs to open it up a little on our second possesion to keep the Saints fron stacking the line. That punt illustrates why thw Bucs should probably draft a return specialist next year. We don't have one on the roster besides Mark Jones.

[Skylar]

that was a nice pass

[Stephen_Holder]

This McCown dude has some real zip on his balls. Whether he throws it to the right guy is another matter, but he can sure get it there. Neither Garcia nor Gradkowski compare.

[Skylar]

we've got to do something about P Buchanon. He's definitely the weak link on defense.

[Mike]

Let's all calm down and stop saying how wonderful Buchanon is. There is a reason two other teams didnt want him.

FOLKS- He's cheap. That's his best asset. Enjoy the poor play.

[Daniel]

McCown has all the physical tools, he can run, throw it with touch, throw the out and throw it deep. Whether he throws it to the correct guy remains to be seen, but as far as tools go, he has the total package. He reminds me of Rich Gannon. Buchanan just got abused by Colston long then for the TD short. Throw in the misread on the punt and I would say he is having a bad day so far.

[Mike]

Buchanon couldn't carry anyone's jock strap.

[Skylar]

they should let sammy davis play more in nickel and dime

[Stephen_Holder]

Tough break for Buchanon on the play that set up the Saints' first touchdown. On the flea flicker play, Buchanon had perfect coverage. Colston just makes an unbelievable catch. Tough spot for McCown now, having to play from behind. But it's early.

[Stephen_Holder]

I will say Phillip perhaps should have made a better effort to make a play on the ball. As for covering the man himself, he was in position.

[Skylar]

all right; i'm a believer!!!

[Daniel]

What a nice pass by McCown hitting Galloway in stride DEEP, I don't know if Grads can make that throw.

[Stephen_Holder]

Even some of the Bucs staff memebers up here in the press box almost choked when they saw that unbelievable pass.

[Dave]

And my friends, this is why McCown is starting.

Grad could not have made that long throw to Joey, and that play action was very nice (both on the long ball and the TD).

[Skylar]

he was in position but tried to catch the ball instead of batting it down and knocked it into Colston's hand. that's not his first time being burnt this season. he's got the talent, but his hot-dog tendencies are what get him in trouble it think.

[Daniel]

12 for 12 for 190 yards and a TD, what I am most immpressed with besides his passing ability is McCowns ball skills, his fakes are veteran like.

[aaron]

hey skylar you bone head, do you think grad man could have made that throw to joey? go back to the Tribune!

[Skylar]

i was weary of starting McCown because of his inexperience, but he' playing great. kudos to gruden for developing this guy...

[Stephen_Holder]

I'm tempted to say that we should all wait and see and it's only one game and blah. blah, blah. We were saying a lot of the same things about Gradkowski one year ago in this very building. But here's the fundamental difference between Bruce and Luke: Bruce is limited from an ability standpoint; Luke is immensely talented. Doesn't guarantee success, but you can definitely see the ability.

[Mike]

And we started Bruce Suckowski instead of this guy?

[Dave]

Daniel - agreed. And he has enough mobility to keep plays alive. Little work on knowing when to throw it away, and this is could be our guy in two or three years when Garcia decides to call it a career.

[aaron]

bruce is lucky to be on an NFL roster. luke deserves to be. granted as a back up. but hey he could be our Frank Reich...

[Stephen_Holder]

One late comment on that deep throw: the Bucs really sucked the defense in with all the early short stuff and the attempts to run. You have to exploit that by hitting a few deep balls. Good job.

[Stephen_Holder]

Noticed that Buchanon was not on the field for that last defensive series. He does not appear to be hurt. Not sure whether he's been benched or what. Sammy Davis was the third CB in the nickel and Kelly is playing opposite Barber.

[Mike]

I'm fully convinced Michael Clayton just did the first good thing on offense in about a year

[aaron]

it is good to see that gruden finally realizes that his pet project, gradkowski just cant get it done at this level and put luke in. i have to admit gruden has done a really good job coaching this year.

[Skylar]

see what i mean by s davis? did i hurt your feelings aaron? grow up. I've heard some pretty stupid stuff by you too, like brooks has lost a step, so just shut up ok?

[Mike]

STEPHEN, I am curious..what caused Graham to go undrafted? He is clearly quite good and much better than the brittle baby cadillac who doesnt belong on this team..

[Skylar]

let it go aaron. you're not being very constructive for someone with such an important name, which i'm sure you're not aware of. you think gruden and brooks and the bucs suck, so go somewhere els ok? we don't really need you negativity on here.

[Daniel]

Say what you will about Gruden but he is calling an EXCELENT game, playing to Lukes' strengths and the Saints weaknesses. You're right Stephen, the deep ball was there for the taking after all that short stuff, now he has them guessing.

[Dave]

Gruden has done a decent job. But really, this team should be 9-2. We let both Detroit and Jax off the hook . . . are we really at the point where we are "learning how to win" again? Playoffs or bust, and this game is key.

[Duffiedawg]

One imuttable statistic: Luke has hit every receiver, except Clayton, at least once.

Any doubt he is reading NO?

[Dave]

Mike, I'm not Stephen, but Graham is a little guy, he's only 5'8" maybe 5'9". But his heart is huge, and he never quits . . . his legs never stop churning. He always played bigger than his size at UF.

[Skylar]

graham was overlooked coming out of florida because it was a pass-happy system. i've been waiting to see him play since we got him...

[aaron]

how am i being negative, by saying that gruden is having a great year coaching? i have never said anything bad about brooks. the only bad thing i usually have to say is about gradkowski playing in an actual game.why dont you go back to the tribune with all those other baboons?
and thank you for the compliment on my name. that is very nice of you.

[Skylar]

because i'm not a writer. let's end this right now because i'm watching the game allright? let's just drop it be happy that the team is doing well with a back-up in ok?

[Stephen_Holder]

Mike... You know how it is with RBs. Graham wasn't the perfect package everyone looks for. Speed, size, etc. If you lack the "measureables" as personnel people refer to them, you're in trouble. But I do find it strange no one took him with a late pick. He was VERY productive as a college player.

[Dave]

Can't believe Jackson didn't make a play on that.

[Stephen_Holder]

Well, my friends. This is what happens when you kick FGs where you should have scored TDs. They nearly screwed up last week's game for that very reason.

[Dave]

Wow - McCown has an awesome play fake. I wonder if that's part of the reason he was a 4th round draft pick, cause other than his sophomore season, he never did a hell of a lot in college. Did throw for a fair few yards though.

[Brian]

what happened on that long TD pass to Henderson (for those of us not able to see the game)

[Dave]

And Stephen, I just got done telling myself the same thing, you can't rely on FGs to win games. At some point, those 3s have to become 6s and then 7s.

[Daniel]

It looks like the Jeckyl and Hyde Saints are Jeckyl today, at least on offense. The Bucs are going to have to pick up their intensity a little on D to slow down the Saints. The holding and mental mistakes are the only things stopping the Bucs offense today.

[Stephen_Holder]

Brian, Jackson was step for step with him but didn't make a play on the ball. Should never have been caught. Made a nice catch tho, to his credit.

[Dave]

Brian - Devry Henderson had Ruud well beat going deep, but Jackson had perfect position to make a play on it and break the play up. He just turned the wrong way and didn't even make a play on the ball or the player, and Henderson made a great catch ion the end zone for 6. I don't think he thought it was catchable or something.

[Dave]

Okay now we need at least 3 here.

3rd and 7, would be a 50+ yard FG, call a run, catch the Saints napping.

[Dave]

Nice catch JOEY!