It's playoff time
Gotta tell you: those Giants fans apparently did have a hard time getting tickets after all.
Raymond James Stadium is a sea of red right now, and the battle flags are a really cool touch. There's a lot of energy in the building right now. We'll see whether that translates into a Bucs win, however.
Here's who will be taking the field in Tampa Bay's effort to win its first playoff game since 2002.
On offense, left guard Arron Sears will start despite his ankle injury. Linebacker Cato June is inactive because of a foot injury that we've already told you is actually a fracture. There aren't any other notable lineup issues for the Bucs. The inactives are QB Bruce Gradkowski (third quarterback), WR Chad Lucas, WR Brian Clark CB Sammy Davis, S Donte Nicholson, RB Kenneth Darby and G Dan Buenning.
The Giants are in considerably worse shape. Cornerback Sam Madison is out (abdominal) as is center Shaun O'Hara (knee) and receiver Sinorice Moss (back).
(Pictured - Joey Galloway. Times photo - Brendan Fitterer. Click to enlarge.)
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.
Stephen, What are the chances of the Bucs using Trotter to counter Jacobs, in a hybrid 3-4, or moving Ruud to Sam?
Posted by: PJ | January 06, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Might be slim, but with June out, I suppose anything is on the table. The Bucs do have a 3-3-5 alignment they use, however.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I see Hilliard fielded the first punt of the day. I'm guessing we won't see SPurlock fielding punts. Too big a game for Gruden to put him out there.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Forgot to mention that Ryan Nece was in the starting lineup at SAM LB. Keep an eye on him.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:16 PM
i'm liking this smashmouth
Posted by: frank c. costanza | January 06, 2008 at 01:27 PM
The Giants are a physical team. There's just one way to play them: match their physicality. So far, the Bucs are doing that.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:29 PM
The Bucs are getting a tremendous push up front, which was the area of most concern. Their ability to come in and establish a running game neutralizes the Giants' pass rush.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Seven of the 10 plays on that scoring drive were runs. And two of the three passes thrown were fairly safe ones. The Bucs can win playing their game. It will be hard for the Giants to win unless they force the Bucs to open it up some more.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:33 PM
The Bucs need another offensive td and the we wil be in good shape
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 01:34 PM
That's the way to handle the Giants pass rush -- a steady diet of ol' number 34.
Posted by: JayDub | January 06, 2008 at 01:35 PM
does Ronde always play on kickoff team?
Posted by: frank c. costanza | January 06, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Rohan...how 'bout a defensive TD? LOL
Posted by: Turk | January 06, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Eli never saw Adams coming on that sack. Everyone on the line got off the ball like bandits on that play. The quickness of this defense will be an issue for the Giants throughout.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:40 PM
What little I can tell of the game at NFL live, Jovan Haye did the impossible, he took Jacobs out, single-handedly, for a 4 yard loss.
With the Buc's D and Monte Kiffin, the improbable just becomes another day!!
Posted by: Duffiedawg | January 06, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Wish the announcers and all media would lay off the Kiffen contract though. He's not going anywhere.
Posted by: Turk | January 06, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Bucs looking a little confused in their defensive personnel here. They were just in a dime the play before taking that timeout. Wonder if the Giants are using some lineups that are unfamiliar. The Bucs keep shuttling guys in and out at the last minute.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Unlike Culverhouse, no one has ever accused the Glazers of being dumb. Of course he will be back, just as long as he wants.
Gruden is a grain of sand in the eye, a total iritant to those around him, if they don't understand him.
He finall has the Oline and QB he wanted, needed to successful. He threw a few Defensive drafts Monte's way, and he worked his usual miracles.
Note no one on D goes to the Pro Bowl. With the D's record, that means a total team effort, not just a few super-stars. Of course, Brooks and Barber are Super-stars, and HOF'ers, but this year, first in a long time, it was total Defensive effort, without the weight being on just a few.
Of course, Barber and Brooks played Atlas a few times!!!
Posted by: Duffiedawg | January 06, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Stephen, Why is Pearson out there? Is a safety hurt?
Posted by: Daniel | January 06, 2008 at 01:54 PM
It's on now
Posted by: frank c. costanza | January 06, 2008 at 01:55 PM
As far as Monte's contract goes, I don't expect him to go anywhere. Most assistant coaches' contracts aren't dealt with until after the season anyway. For all we know, Monte might want to be a free agent, which would drive his price up. He's got a good deal here. I don't think he'll leave. He makes head-coach money but doesn't have to deal with the head-caoch pressure. Sounds like a deal to me.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Daniel, I believe they were in a dime with six DBs. Barber, Buchanon, Kelly, Jackson, Phillips and Pearson. Sammy Davis is inactive today. Maybe that's the difference.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Strahan just showed you the definition of a bullrush on his way to sacking Garcia. At some point, Trueblood has to engage him on that play. That was horrible. Now, on the other side, it seems Penn is holding up pretty good. I have yet to hear Umenyiora's name today.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Garcia seems a bit rusty. 5 of 11
Posted by: Turk | January 06, 2008 at 02:03 PM
This can get ugly really fast
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Not Good! Eli is having one of his once in a blue moon games where he is playing good
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Jacobs runs it in! Damn we need to score and turn the momentum around
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Rohan, I think the definition of ugly just happened.
Posted by: Duffiedawg | January 06, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Tanard Jackson, who has been hobbling since the opening kickoff, is out with a knee injury of some kind. His return is questionable we're told by the team.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 02:09 PM
This is getting ugly in a hurry... we better answer...
Posted by: Tim | January 06, 2008 at 02:09 PM
I don't see any sign of a pass rush..I don't see how they were the number one pass defense playing like this...
Posted by: aakBstn | January 06, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Bucs are playing intimadated
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Is it me, or does it seem like Garcia has less than 2 seconds to get rid of the ball? Lot's of jump passes...
Posted by: PJ | January 06, 2008 at 02:13 PM
bad throw
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:13 PM
We need at least a field goal here and then we get the ball back after the half to turn this thing around
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Didn't we tell you all week long the game would come down to pass protection? Trueblood is having a long, long day. It's getting ugly and Strahan is talking a lot of smack. At this rate, he'll get louder as the game goes on.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Garcia hasnt been the same since he broke his back
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:16 PM
One of these days I'll pass along what Trueblood said about the details of his conversations with Strahan from last year's game at the Meadowlands. I can't do it here. I'd get fired. Funny stuff tho.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | January 06, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Well we knew Garcia would be rushed but I DUD think we would work a contingency for it. Seems not.
Posted by: Turk | January 06, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Nice catch Third and Ike
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:17 PM
This is Bad guys
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Stephen how bad is Galloways injury?
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:20 PM
The crowd has been taken out of it
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Galloway is supposed to be fine, according to him. Who the hell knows? There's been so much smoke about injuries around here that I can't tell which way is up.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | January 06, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Galloway hit the locker room before the half is over/
Posted by: Turk | January 06, 2008 at 02:22 PM
We lose 75% of the time when we are down at the half add that to the giants winning 7 straight on the road... this does not look good for us ... we might be looking at Monte Kiffin's last game
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Oh God!
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:37 PM
The team is completely deflated
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:37 PM
This one is over
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:39 PM
GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!! Smack that attitude right off those BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: #1SF | January 06, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Stephen is Galloway still playing or what?
Posted by: Rohan | January 06, 2008 at 02:44 PM