Jags-Bucs blog

Sitting here in my front-row seat in the RayJay press box, here to bring you all the action in tonight's game.

Jeff Garcia is under center as the game kicks off, ready for his first action of the preseason. Warrick Dunn gets the start at running back. In other news, Michael Clayton gets the start at flanker, with Maurice Stovall lining up opposite him at split end.

I'll share my thoughts and offer some analysis throughout the night in the comments section below. All are welcome to join in to agree, pick a bone or just vent. We don't even mind a question or two.

(Pictured - Bucs wide receiver Joey Galloway catches a pass during warm-ups. Times photo - Brendan Fitterer. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Taylor]

what're the odds antonio bryant gets the start in the regular season opposite joey galloway, stephen?

[TC]

Not a good start

[hammer]

or bryant instead of clayton?

[TC]

Even worse !

[Stephen_Holder]

Based on how he's played in the preseason, the odds are decent.

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay... two turnovers in the first five minutes. That's got to make the coach feel good about this offense.

[Stephen_Holder]

Jeff Garcia made one of the worst decisions I've seen him make as a Buc in deciding to throw that pass that was intercepted. That had no chance. He looks a lot like a quarterback who hasn't played (practiced) in a very long time. Timing is the first thing to go when you're rusty.

[Noel (Bahamas)]

Stephen,
Is Antonio Bryant starting?

We unfortunately have to bear with the Miami-Kansas City game.....so as much analysis of the game the better.

[JScott]

Stephen,

What's the atmosphere like in the press box? Does anyone openly cheer players or teams on? Do you ever leave the box for the stands?

[Noel (Bahamas)]

TWO turnovers by the BUCS??!?!?

[JScott]

Stovall and Clayton started

[Stephen_Holder]

Noel: Clayton and Stovall started. Doesn't necessarily mean anything. I think they want to give everyone a chance to play with the starting offense. Bryant got his chance last week, and did very well.

[JScott]

Northcut with the TD reception

[Stephen_Holder]

Tanard Jackson took a bad angle and missed a tackle on Williams that allowed that touchdown. Very uncharacteristic of him.

[JScott]

Noel-

The two turnovers came on a Graham Fumble and a Garcia interception.. The Jags 10 points were all 30 yard drives or less

[Drew]

Rut Roh!!! Griese to open the season as the starter?

[JScott]

DJax is getting his share of opportunites early on, guess i can't bag on his lack of ST touches.... now they need to mix him in with the offense

[DV]

Good thing Bruce Allen didn't listen to the armchair GM's here in Tampa who all wanted him to just hand over the vault to Garcia...

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Not on TV here either.
It sounds like Jax is really dominating the Bucs.
How bad is it?

[Stephen_Holder]

JScott... Yes, Northcutt. Sorry. To answer your earlier question about the press box, there's an understanding that if you're in the press box you are a neutral party, or at least you must act like one. No cheering whatsoever. And no, I stay here. I have to be at my computer to blog, right?

[Valrico Rick]

Jackson was a wasted pick, and Garcia looks like crap! Gee where is the "Rant" person telling us how great a job Gruden and Allen have "building" a team. I know lets blame it on the loss of one of our starting linemen. No wait, Garcia hasn't been able to practice, yeah that's it. Well a three and out will be better than another turnover. Phew!!!!

[JScott]

So nobodies wearing Bucs gear in there?

[Stephen_Holder]

I'm really starting to question the choice of Dexter Jackson myself. Here;s the thing: if he can't help them at receiver right now, he better damn well be Devin Hester on special teams. So far, that is absolutely not the case. I'll give him some time before making up my mind, but I have huge questions at the moment.

[JScott]

Leo, Jax came out looking hungry, just a couple bad breaks for the Bucs: Rusty QB, Rusty RB... Nothing overly alarming

I could do without the shovel passes from Garcia though

[Stephen_Holder]

Nope, no Bucs gear. That'd be like a political reporter wearing an Obama T-shirt while covering his campaign. That's unprofessional.

[JScott]

In DJax's defense, he hasnt got many game time touches.. like you said Stephen its way too early to judge

[hammer]

clayton needs to just go home

[JScott]

LOL, I ask because there's a chance i get into Doak Campbell Stadium this season with Media Credentials and didnt want to look like an amateur or wear out my welcome

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Sounds like Clayton is eager to take away Roberto Duran's nickname. (Hands Of Stone)

[Taylor]

how about the odds the bucs saw d. jackson still on the board and thought it was desean when they picked him...

[Stephen_Holder]

Woudl have been a tough catch by Clayton on that third-down play, but he can't afford NOT to make tough plays given his inconsistency. He is going to have a permanent place in Gruden's doghouse if he doesn't get it together.

[Stephen_Holder]

Taylor, I don't know about that, but if I'm the Bucs, I'd love to have that guy right now. He is ballin' in Philly. Very, very good pick by the Eagles.

[Taylor]

i guess we shouldn't rip on gruden and allen too much... they've been doing a pretty good job drafting and building a team from the ground up the past few years

[Taylor]

minus derrick and ronde, of course

[JScott]

any chance the bucs get in on acquiring Anquan Boldin? Boldin said several teams offered 1st Round Draft Picks this off-season and i wondered if the Bucs were one of the teams… Then again they probably didnt make an offer as in the Favre situation (right)

[JScott]

immy Wilkerson records the 2nd sack of his off-season

[JScott]

DJax looked good in space

[Stephen_Holder]

Haven't seen much of that: pass rush from an interior lineman. Wilkerson gets the sack from DT. He's looked pretty good. Nice cheap little acquisition there.

[Lee]

anybody know where i can get live audio

[Taylor]

and young

Rick,

"Rant person here"

I'd say Garcia's limited practice is a pretty decent reason for being rusty. But two bad drives doesn't mean we don't have a quality roster, which was the point of my rant.

As for Djax I'll even say I'm unsure of that pick. It was a reach and Allen maybe gambling a little trying to find another 'Hester' type.

I'd still stand by Allen's draft record the last 3 or 4 years. You're not going to hit with every pick every year but I think he's stocked this team with young talent [more so on defense though]

[Noel (Bahamas)]

What type of formations are the running on Offense? What is the defense looking like? Are the D-line putting pressure on Gerrad?

[JScott]

Lee try

620 WDAE or US 103.5 online... I have the links up at BucEm.com

[Stephen_Holder]

Noel, pretty much the usual: I-formation (with fullback) with two wide. Defense can't be judged fairly. they were put in some bad situations with the turnovers.

[JScott]

The defense looks great flying around... i wouldnt say the dline is pressuring Garrard all that much... The offense is sustaining a drive here, finally

[JScott]

Garcia was doing a lot of three step drop backs and now they are running the ball down the Jags throats

[JScott]

that was a rocket, but Alex Smith has to get that

[Stephen_Holder]

Gruden showing some willingness to find creative ways to get his playmakers the ball. A quick screen to Stovall earlier, now an end around on third down to Clayton. Both picked up first downs. The passing game is a little stagnant, so that's how you shake things up.

[kevinmills]

Stephen,

The Clayton drop/incompletion, was it a drop or just a hard play to make?

[JScott]

Reggie Nelson with the pick in the endzone... that was on Garcia BIG TIME