Bucs ready to go; Talib, Hester out

We're ready to go from the press box here at Soldier Field, and there's already some intrigue even before kickoff.

The teams have announced their inactive players for today, and the most notable is Bucs rookie CB Aqib Talib. His hamstring injury apparently is worse than we realized and he will not play today. WR Joey Galloway is out, as expected. Other inactives for the Bucs include RB Michael Bennett, QB Jeff Garcia and DE Greg Peterson.

The loss of Talib can't be overstated. The Bucs play a great deal of nickel defense, and that requires the use of a third cornerback. Today, that third cornerback might be Marcus Hamilton, fresh off the practice squad. Remember, backup Elbert Mack is suspended today for his hit on Matt Ryan last week. There is some chance the Bucs could use safety Tanard Jackson as a third cornerback, but that remains to be seen.

In other news, the Bucs have shuffled their receiver lineup. After Michael Clayton's declaration last week that he expected to be in the starting lineup, the Bucs instead are starting Antonio Bryant and Ike Hilliard at receiver. Bryant will play split end and Hilliard will line up at flanker. Expect Clayton to be the third receiver in obvious passing situations.

For the Bears, WR/KR Devin Hester is out with a ribs injury, limiting the Bears effectiveness on special teams and in the passing game, where he was to be featured this season.

Once the game gets underway, join us in the comments section below as I give you some analysis and updates on the game.

Comments

[Leo]

The Bears are the closest thing the Bucs have to a brother team in the NFL. They share many similarities. This could end up in a tie, or an extremely close final score. Let's hope the Bucs have the ball bounce their way to tip the scales.

[aaron]

Gruden is a jerk. Clayton should start. He earned it with a good camp. He was told he would start and he should. Big deal if he broke the "news" and Gruden didnt. Hopefully Clayton will get some looks. If given a consistent opportunity i believe he will produce.

[DR]

A slip and fall on nothing, is this foreshadowing?

[Hammer]

Oh come on D-jaz! Geez....

[DV]

DJax slips and falls... again. Tell me why he was drafted again?

[DR]

Gruden is a chump, not starting Clayton to boost his own ego.

[Ben]

bad start

[Leo]

Easy 15. Just push around a Buc's OL & wait for them to respond. Great coaching!

[Ricky]

Anyone got a live stream?

[DV]

Nobody ever said Clayton was going to start, except Clayton. Anyone with half a brain knew it would be Bryant/Hilliard starting. Why wouldn't you use 3rd and Ike? The Clayton thing was all smoke and mirrors. You guys need to lay off Gruden, seriously.

[Montana Tom]

I am sick and tired of seeing Dexter Jackson slip. Has the team not supplied him with cleats?

[Ricky]

Live stream?

[Hammer]

Dear Bucs,

Thanks,

Bears d-fense

[DR]

middle screen deep in your own territory, great call by Gruden! haha Gruden is an animal lover- he likes to feed the bears!

[Hammer]

Wow right in and out of the hands of Desmond Clayton, er Clark

[jayduck]

ricky -- i'm getting the radio feed at:

http://www.wwjb.com/home.php

[Leo]

Ricky, try NFL Game Center

[DR]

Dear Monte,
Thanks again for your expertise. You keep this ship afloat. Have you ever thought about throwing the captain overboard? That would be nice.

[RD]

DR is a choad.

[Ricky]

Leo, I am and jayduck do you have video lol?

[Hammer]

The only bad thing about E-graham being our running back? D-Jax as returner

[jayduck]

nah, just radio, but I love our radio guys....

[gatrmf]

If i have to see dexter jax slip and fall on pyrpose to avoid contact i am going to puke!

[DV]

Does DJax know that he is supposed to be improving field position, not diving towards the 20 yard line?

[Ricky]

Alright jay.

[gatrmf]

it is obivous a guy like dexter is a wimp we neeed a wes welker type that has courage

[jayduck]

D-jax just changed cleats -- we'll see if that helps

[gatrmf]

stephen,

what do u think is d jax doing this on purpose the diving err i mean slip-

[Drew]

Figures, nor receivers

[gatrmf]

antonio bryant has more drops than catches this year

[Drew]

The defense is stepping up. The offense as usual sucks. Man, we need receivers and a franchise QB.

[Stephen_Holder]

No Dexter Jackson on this kickoff return. Tell me again: why did they draft this guy?

[gatrmf]

This wide receiving corps has no guts except for IKE H. I would love to see this team have a wes welker, dallas clark, todd heap, ed mcaffery, brandon stokley, or a ricky proehl. those guys caught the football and took a pounding. most of our guys shouldn t even be on a team.

[Drew]

Gruden, needs to take his head out of his @$$ and put Clayton in.

[Drew]

That's it!!! Mae them pay for stacking the line.

[Drew]

Dunn!!!

[Hammer]

Niiiiiceee!

[Hammer]

E-Graham!

[Drew]

What some Offense? Go Bucs!!!

[Stephen_Holder]

I'll say one thing for the use of the quick passing routes: they neutralize the Bears' pass rush, which is pretty nasty. Donald Penn is getting beat like a drum on the left side.

[Hammer]

nice play fake

[Hammer]

TOUCHDOWN!!!!! Well done Mr. 3rd Down Hilliard!

[Stephen_Holder]

Nice TD throw by Brian there. Notice he throws the ball low, almost at Ike's feet to prevent the possible interception. The defender was draped all over him.

[Buc]

Stephen, How about a little hear on Gruden and Allen this week re- Dex Jackson. What a terrible waste of a second round pick. Let's get some media pressure on them like the NY media..I mean this guy cant catch a jock strap

[Dexter Jackson]

Hi guys. I'm out of the game apparently. U guys think I'm a bust huh?

[Hammer]

Mr. Orten, meet the Bucs D

[Hammer]

Orten has a d'oh!

[gatrmf]

hopefully the d gets anothe rstop and we can start ponuding the run to set up play action a dn other pass plays. bye the way ike is the man and at least m clayton as always played hard even if he doesn t cathc the ball. he deserves a shot . i like galloway, but i have seen him quit a lot on plays and walk offt he field.

[Hammer]

Greise 8 for 10, w/touchdown pass...in Soldier Field? I'll take it...

[Jim Mora]

I like shirts with random triangles.