Finally, a Favre-free post

Okay, I know you're all sick of Brett the Great. It's been non-stop Favre around here which might have been a bit annoying, but I hope you realize a story of that magnitude has to be covered accordingly.

Now that it's over, let's talk a little football. The preseason opens Saturday night in Miami, and there should be some interesting revelations as the Bucs take the field for the first time.

We'll start at quarterback because, well, these are the Bucs. Luke McCown gets the start and, according to coach Jon Gruden, might play the entire first half. He'll get a chance to perform against the Dolphins' starters at least for a series or two, plus he'll have a chance to get into the rhythm of the game. Maybe we'll see whether he's managed to eliminate some of the flaws in his decision-making that he has worked hard to overcome during the offseason. In a recent conversation, he told me avoiding sacks is one of his primary objectives this season. He's looked quite good in camp. Now let's see how he fares against live action.

Brian Griese will enter either late in the first half or immediately after halftime, Gruden said. He'll probably get at least a quarter of playing time, giving Gruden a chance to do a decent amount of evaluation. To be fair, Gruden will switch things up next week and perhaps give Griese more playing time in an effort to get a comparable look at him and McCown. McCown's appearance on the intial depth chart as the No. 2 quarterback behind Jeff Garcia doesn't mean a whole lot. Remember, Gruden sometimes changes the order of his backup quarterbacks from week to week -- even during the regular season.

At running back, don't expect to see a lot of Warrick Dunn. Though we're all intrigued to see how he looks in a Bucs uniform after a six-year absence, Gruden doesn't push his veterans hard in the preseason, and this year will be no different. I'd be surprised if Dunn got more than a couple of carries. You will, however, see plenty of Ken Darby and Clifton Smith, and maybe a little of Earnest Graham and Michael Bennett.

The receivers will be scratching and clawing Saturday night. There is a pretty tight pack at the position, and it's time some of them started distinguishing themselves. There's no better time than on game day. Look for a statement from Michael Clayton, who seems ready to take a step forward based on his practice performance. He's catching balls that he almost surely would have dropped during the past couple of seasons, though he's got to do it when it matters. Maurice Stovall and Antonio Bryant have a lot to prove also.

On defense, keep an eye on the young guys as they try to make an impression. That includes safety Sabby Piscitelli, rookie lineman Dre Moore, linebackers Quincy Black and Adam Hayward and, of course, first-round pick Aqib Talib. If Talib is half as exciting as he has been in practice, we're in a for quite the show. He is still making some rookie mistakes on routine plays, but he has an uncanny ability to find the ball, and his hands are money (perhaps he should play some receiver).

We'll be in Miami to bring you the action, and we'll have plenty of details right here.

Comments

[JScott]

Can we get a update on the injuries and who's banged up at the moment... Thanks

[Darren]

I am looking forward to the game and am very thankful that the Bucs Beat is back on message.

[Bucsfan]

So are we gonna see Simms and Josh Johnson????

[Vince]

Stephen, I have heard that Spurlock is this year's Paris Warren. Is that true?

[Stephen_Holder]

Hey all... I'm on the line with ESPN 1470 right now. Listen in and I'll answer some questions once I get off the line.

[Mark]

No josh johnson in tomorrows game Gruden said

it will be McCown Griese and Simms probably in that order

[Mark]

hey stephen is there any word on if there gonna broadcast the bucs patriots game on local tv? because the game is on nfl network

[jeff chick]

jeff need to make the trip to miami ?

[Brandon]

Vince,

What do you mean about Spurlock being this season's Paris Warren? Do you mean he'll light it up in the preseason against a bunch of backups and nobodies only to never actually perform in a game? If that is the case, then I say no. Spurlock has already done more in a Buc uni than Warren will ever do. Spurlock = 1 career TD vs. Warren = 1 career reception= advantage Spurlock. Warren will be cut.

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, as to your questions:
1) Injuries: Garcia, Askew and Galloway won't make the trip. Darby and Troupe are hanged up but should play. I believe everyone else is in decent shape. 2) You should see Simms, probably by late in the third quarter or at least for most of the fourth. No Josh Johnson until next week, it appears. 3) Spurlock is learning well at receiver. Remember, in college he was a QB/Kordell Stewart type, an all-purpose kind of player. He's relatively new to WR. Should be interesting to watch. 4) As for the Patriots game, it will be simulcast on local channel 38. Saturday's Dolphins game would typically be on Channel 8 (NBC), but will also shift to 38 because of Olympic coverage.

[Stephen_Holder]

One last thing: you'll have to figure out what channel 38 translates to on your cable system. I don't have the slightest idea what it is on my TV (Brighthouse). Of course, I'll be at the game, so I suppose it won't matter. Later

[rob]

maybe the times could find out what it is on brighthouse and verizon and report it? please.

theres nothing more fustrating then trying to find the game at the last minute.

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay Rob, just for you, and only because you said please. Best I can tell, it's Channel 6 on Brighthouse and 14 on Verizon. DirecTV is just plain ol' 38, I believe.

[Kristian]

Hey Brandon,being a Bucs fan it doesn't help to try to be a no it all,Paris was a stand out last pre-season,and yeah mabey he went against a bunch of no names but think about the teams around the NFL that have never heard of Paris Warren,give credit to both him and Spurlock and who ever gets the job means that the organization wanted the one over the other,but for anybody to sit here and argue over training camp players is silly,as Bucs fans,and im going to use the same old cliche,can't we all just get along,there's a game tomarrow night,lets just be excited about that....Go Bucs!!!!!

[Kristian]

Hey Stephen,how about a job...

[tradewinds loser boy moser]

my prediction for game for vs green bay bucs 27 pack 7

[brian]

Has a football team ever hosted a Super Bowl game in their own stadium?
In: Super Bowl [Edit]

As of the 2007 season, no Super Bowl team has played in their home stadium. The closest a Super Bowl team has been to playing at home was Super Bowl XIV when the Los Angeles Rams played the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California and Super Bowl XIX when the San Francisco 49ers played the Miami Dolphins at Stanford Stadium.