Panthers-Bucs (pre)season finale

For what it's worth, the season finale is about to get underway.

And the Bucs are going to look quite different today. The starting lineup includes Luke McCown at quarterback, Chad Lucas at receiver, Michael Pittman at running back and Jeremiah Trotter at middle linebacker.

The inactives are as follows: Jeff Garcia (third quarterback), Ike Hilliard, Jermaine Phillips, Earnest Graham, B.J. Askew, Barrett Ruud, Dan Buenning and Joey Galloway.

Not sure what exactly we're going to see today, but keep your rosters handy. Looks like you're going to need them. Nonetheless, I'll be here all afternoon to comment and answer your queries in the comments section below.

Comments

[Stephen Holder]

Offensive stars so far: Luke McCown, Chad Lucas and Jerramy Stevens. Who would have ever thought it?

[Stephen Holder]

Believe this was updated on TV also, but Arron Sears has an ankle injury and has gone into the locker room. Right now, we're told his status is questionable. That would be a big loss, even though he's coming off an unimpressive performance against San Francisco.

[Stephen Holder]

Looks like Trotter has a lot of pent-up energy from watching all season and not playing. The man is a tackle machine!

[MT Tom]

Goodness gracious. Are they training a new producer on Fox today? I have never seen a game with so many blown camera angles. If I have to watch a ref's back one more time while game action is happening elsewhere on the field I am going to scream

[Stephen Holder]

Well, Tom, it is the preseason, or didn't you know?

[Jordon]

Why don't the Bucs use more play action? When your O line is struggling, a good play action fake can freeze those linebackers and give your QB an extra second or two to find the open man. I remember watching Boomer Esiaison growing up and he was one of the best at making that fake and then hitting the open guy downfield.

[Stephen Holder]

Jordon, they actually do use a lot of play action. Problem is, you have to establish the run first, which they haven't done today. I read somewhere that the Bucs have the most yards per play using play action. Have no way of verifying that, but I believe it came from Scouts Inc.

[Stephen Holder]

Just a heads up since everyone has been wondering: indications right now point to a Saturday night prime time game for the wildcard matchup next week. That won't be official until tonight when NBC makes their announcement, but that's the best info I can provide at this time.

[Stephen Holder]

Sears looks really banged up. He had limped back onto the sideline to test out the ankle injury, but he just limped back into the locker room. He looks to be done. Walking VERY gingerly. Not a good development.

[Jordon]

Stephen, I can believe they get the most yards on play action, but it seems like the Bucs prefer a lot of quick drops that don't often use play action. The only reason I thought about it was that McCown has used it a couple of times today and it has worked well.

[Stephen Holder]

Looks like the starting defense is done. Among those in the game on this series are Will Allen, Quincy Black and Adam Hayward.

[MT Tom]

Well, maybe the Bucs defense can move the ball!

[Stephen_Holder]

I know these are backups in the game right now, but the Bucs should be concerned about their redzone production lately. It has not been good at all. They're 1 for 3 there today and they haven't been much better for most of the past month. Can't afford to throw away chances in the playoffs.

[MT Tom]

What do you attribute that to? I noticed at the beginning of the season Garcia seemed much sharper and the play calling in the red zone seemed more aggressive. Are the Bucs being out game planned, is Gruden being careful or is the O Line just being outplayed when the defense has a short field?

[Clint]

The Bucs better smarten up or they'll have a short playoff run. The O line is being pushed around by a lousy Carolina team and they are the starters. The defense aren't doing so hot. I realize that some of the back ups are playing, but, this is a little silly vs. a 3-4th string Qb.

If the starters play like this next week, the Giants will smother the Bucs.

[Mike]

Stephen, do you have an update on Sears? I am really worried about that.

[Mike]

Stephen, do you have an update on Sears? I am really worried about that.

[Stephen Holder]

Nothing on Sears just yet. I don't see him coming back with everyone else now that halftime is ending. That's not good news.

[Mike]

Do you think the three G's and B-Ruud will be ready for the playoff game next week?

[Stephen Holder]

No doubt about it, Mike. Garcia, Galloway and Graham will be good to go. Ruud too. None of them are hurt to the extent that they couldn't play today. They're just resting. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[Buc Fan]

The buccaneers have been preparing for the G Men and this game has no meaning other than getting some back ups some playin time. The Giants game is going to be physical and the team with the least amount of turnovers and panalties will win bottom line. Stevens should make some interesting mismatches if he can stay healthy. Go Bucs!!

[MT Tom]

Re. the playoffs. I am not worried about our Defense showing up and being prepared/healthy. I am worried about Eli showing up.

If Manning plays sloppy we win. If he shows up and plays as effectively as last night we got problems. The Offense alone probably isn't going to win against the Giants I saw last night.

At least if we lose Graham we can put McCown in as a running back!

[Stephen Holder]

That was just the longest drive in team history: 98 yards. Very impressive.

[Stephen Holder]

MT, I must say, Eli made some impressive throws last night. Other than his one costly interception, he was pretty solid. If they're able to establish Brandon Jacobs, they won't ask Eli to do as much and there won't be as much potential for him to make the costly errors. I think the Bucs will have their hands full IMO.

[Mike]

Stephen, we definitly need a WR next year. Do you think Bernard Berrian, who is an unrestricted FA, would be a good fit? He has Galloway type speed.

Lucas looks good. Clayton has been quiet? Has he been covered up?

[Stephen Holder]

I think their problem is that they have Galloway, who is a speed guy, and then a bunch of guys who are exactly the same. Galloway, great as he is, is limited in his ability (or willingness?) to go across the middle or catch balls in the middle of the field. That makes him easy to take out of the game. Then, everyone else are all -- I hate to use this term -- possession receivers, for lack of a better description. Talking about Hilliard, Clayton and Stovall here. Seems to me they're missing someone who has a good mix of speed AND toughness who can make the tough catches but also has some jets. Haven't seen enough of Berrian this year to know if he's that guy, but he probably fits the description better anyone on this team.

[Mike]

Our team better learn how to strip the ball this week in practice so we can capitalize on jacobs' weakness. And the bucs, although they dont blitz much, better put some pressure on Eli.

[MT Tom]

Darby has to help out on that one.

[Mike]

Stephen, be honest. Do you think we can beat the Giants next weekend?

[Stephen Holder]

McCown was leaning back on the wrong foot when he threw that ball. If he takes a split second to set his feet or takes another step, maybe he can get enough oomph to get that ball to Darby.

[Kevin]

If he takes another second to set himself on that pic he gets hit as he throws and its a duck anyways.

[Kevin]

Deja vu here.

Cross your fingers.

[wade]

absolutely pathetic game. NOTHING GOOD CAME OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[MT Tom]

Except for McCown, Bennet and Lucas I would say that I didn't see anything to make me interested in the backups. Clayton did ok.

[Scott]

No big deal on the loss. Kick it up a gear for next week, take out the Giants, and bring on the Cowsissies.

[Wild Card]

The Bucs game truely had no meaning but the things that distubed me the most is the breakdown in the offensive line during the carolina blitzes. Also, the Bucs are having a hard time capitolizing on big plays when they present themselfs. The wheel route to pittman and the pass to darby that was missed. Mcnoun has a pretty good understanding if this offense but his inability to make the plays in huge moments constantly reminds me why this guy will just be a back up in this league. If the bucs offensive line can protect Garcia against the G men we should be able to handle anybody else that comes our way. Offensivly we have to make the plays when available and if not we will struggle. I think we can do it.

[Edgar Rivera]

This Bucs team is one and done in the playoffs. I am so frustruated with this team. The last two games, Gruden finds ways to lose games. He screwed up the 49ers game in the last 5:00 of the game and refusing to give his starters some reps and seem to careless about the Carolina game. Talk about job on the line for boneheaded decisions, it should be Gruden and Bruce Allen right behind him. What an ego maniac. These kinds of move will come back to haunt them. Ask the Chicago Bears in 2005. My prediction: Giants 27 Bucs 9(all on Matt Bryant field goals).

[JR]

They always say you want to be hot going into the playoffs, and losing 2 in a row isn't too hot. :) Maybe it is for the best though and we'll bounce back strong the new few weeks.

[mike]

Edgar, lighten up bro...they are going to be fine

[Bretterson]

I have to say that I'm very disappointed to finish 9-7 when we were 8-4 with games against Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco and Carolina remaining. Talk about backing into the playoffs.

[Darth Nilist]

Mike, by the way Edgar is right. This team can not go into the playoffs 1-3 down the stretch versus teams like Atlanta,Houston,San Francisco, and Carolina(all sub .500 teams). Gracia has barely played over a month. He needs some reps so he can have momentum in to the playoffs. Packers,Patriots,Seahawks,Colts,Cowboys,Giants,Chargers,Titans,Steelers,and Redskins all had their starters playing. All the playoff teams had the starters active except the Bucs. That is not a good sign. Let's see who comes ready to play on Sunday.