Graham, Piscitelli lead Bucs over Patriots

TAMPA--Earnest Graham and Byron Storer each score 1-yard touchdowns, Sabby Piscitelli runs a fumble back 24 yards for a score and Matt Bryant adds a pair of field goals as the Bucs beat the Patriots 27-10 in their preseason matchup.

The Bucs gained over 100 yards on the ground using several running backs while the Tampa Bay defense held the Patriots' rushers in check.

(Pictured - Byron Storer scores on a 1-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter as Kevin Carter looks on. Times photo - Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Ben]

solid all around
go bucs

[shane]

the bucs sure handled the Pats tonight and griese looked sharp again. How bout Micheal Bennett looking good running the football

[Greg]

Well that felt good! Even though its pre-season, it feels great to spank the F-ing Pats.

[Kevinmills]

A minor rant for all the ‘sky is falling Gruden/Allen suck and are ruining the team’ers’

Although I’m sure it’s a collaboration between Gruden and Allen I think the last couple drafts and free agency has proven without a doubt that Allen has the last say and isn’t afraid to go against Gruden’s desires.

So this is to all the fans who constantly criticize the personnel moves made be Allen.

Look at the job the Bucs have done rebuilding the last 3 or 4 years. On Defense there are young studs like Rudd, T.Jackson, Adams, Talib, Piscitelli- really a ton of young talent and depth.

He has very patiently rebuilt the offensive line through the draft and adding Faine. We have quality and depth at TE, RB, and WR.

And we have TWO back up QB’s a lot of teams would love to have.

There are always going to be things to harp over and complain about- we should have signed such and such or we should have drafted this guy. You will here these same complaints from fans of every team in the NFL. The Fact is we have a very respectable roster, deep and talented. It’s not the best but we’ve come a long way from our aging roster four years ago and the talent just keeps getting better.

There is also plenty of cap room to re-sign our young players when their time comes and money to spend on a sure thing FA if one comes along, not some maybe good WR that you’ll regret two years down the line.

End Rant

couldn't have said it better myself kevinmills... this is the first time i ever place a comment here, but i always see the things that are said by bucs fans and there is absolutely no patience in our fan base...

you want the team to go after guys like bryant johnson, devery henderson, alge crumpler, jason taylor, etc... guys who are either old and past thier prime(crumpler, taylor) or young guys who haven't proven anything (johnson, henderson), when what the team is doing is the right way to go...

build through the draft by getting young players that you could then develop in your own system (ruud, t-jack, phillips, piscitelli, adams, talib, joseph, sears, trueblood, smith, clayton, stovall, jackson, zuttah, moore, johnson, etc...) and then use the money you're not spending ridicously on overpriced never-was free agent players that you'll end up releasing 2 years into the contract (hmmm... petitgout) on re-signing those young players who are becoming the true core of what is going to be future (and possibly next super-bowl) of tampa bay bucs football.
go bucs... (and please stop hating on what is going to be a pretty good team this year who is coming of a division title)

[Valrico Rick]

Well “Rant” the was pretty special, but they didn’t just win the Super Bowl, they won a meaningless preseason game against a team that didn’t have its starting quarterback. The Bucs are now 7-1 against the Patriots in the preseason and that means nadda, nothing, zippo! Impressive it was, but a long way from “proving” anything it wasn’t. I will be happy to see them succeed no matter who is coaching or in the front office, and right now back to back trips to the playoffs would be a good place to start, but this one didn’t count, and you really should have saved your little “Rant” until the real football starts. ‘Nuff Said!

[Valrico Rick]

How about, "a long way from proving anything is also was". I am having a bout of Yoda speak, hope to shake it off soon!

[Kevinmills]

My rant wasn't really based on the result of the game. If you look at the roster you can see what I mean. Good young players on both sides of the ball and depth at most positions.

The amount of childish and ignorant comments [about Allen/Gruden] I've read on here over the last two months was what sparked it. Frankly it amazes me.

Who knows how the season will play out but on paper I'd take our roster of players against 80% of the teams in the league.

I'm not saying he is the best GM in the league but I'd say he's one of the better and most financially responsible ones.

[Dan]

Another very solid performance by the defense and offense. Defense continues to swarm the ball and are making all the tackles. No penalties and turnovers shows the team is getting fundamentally sound and the WRs are showing promise. After watching the last 2 games Antonio Bryamt has shown alot and could end up being the Number 2. He would be a good compliment to Gallaway as he can run the inside routs and break tackles. The RBs are great and the depth on both sides of the ball has me excited for the future of this team. If we can keep Gallaway and Garcia healthy with the rest of the team we should make some noie in he playoffs. Very excited for the upcoming season and for the young talented Bucs. Go Tampa!

[IMISS_No47]

I'm sold - Bryant for #2 WR!

[Tom]

The O-Line was impressive last night. If they can keep that up, we can keep up with any team in the league.

[Budda]

"He who speaks before pre-season about being right, is a w@nker"

[Brandon is a W@nker]

Griese should start!

[Paul]

Great win and impressive all-around perfomance for the Bucs agaisnt the almost perfect New England Pats. Fans should savor this victory agaisnt a great team even if its preseason. But don't expect much, this is still preseason...it means absolutely nothing other than evaluating what you have as a team. One thing to see in this victory is that the Bucs have depth in many key positions. Now if only they can show more QB pressure (i.e sacks) then maybe we can up the odds for the Bucs being the first home team to be in the SB.

[shane]

what would really suck is if the Bucs do make it to the SB and they are the road team in it. But I'm sure that the NFL would see to it that the Bucs were the home team in that one.

[lance]

The Bucs gained "more than" 100 yards on the ground ... and it was awesome.

Bennett and Griese are making statements.

[An Intrigued Bucs Fan]

Shane, The New York Giants were the away team in last year's Super Bowl, therefore it will be the NFC team that is going to be home in this year's Super Bowl.

[derek]

greese- 8-8, no pass over 5 yards, awesome football. wow thats entertaining. remember simms knocked griese out of town, brian is washed up garbage from chicago espessaly when orton is gonna start for them

Pass rush needs to get better. Pass protection needs to get better.

[DV]

Right Derek... only a washed up QB could chew clock 18 plays 80 yards for the touchdown against the Patsies #1D... lmao!

Looks like we got a few good backup but no STARS

[derek]

hey ryan leaf had some good drives too. sad thing is it is still preseason. griese throws to many picks. hes been in the league to many years to prove it.

[George L Hicks]

Also Hats off to WR Bryant,CB E Mack the undrafted from Troy. And the rest of the offensive line.