Opening day is here

We're coming to you today from the Superdome where the Bucs are preparing to kick off against the Saints. The city is pretty much back to normal a couple days after residents were allowed back after last week's hurricane evacuation, so expect the place to be pretty raucous.

On the field, the Bucs have a couple moves of note. For one, WR Michael Clayton is inactive, confirming our belief that one of the six receivers would not be active today. The Bucs will likely point to his chest injury as the reason, though it's certainly not a good sign for Clayton to not be up on game day.

The remaining inactives are QBs Josh Johnson and Luke McCown (third quarterback), RB Michael Bennett, LB Geno Hayes, G Davin Joseph (foot), T James Lee and DE Greg Peterson.

As we told you last week, Antonio Bryant gets the start at flanker, where he'll line up opposite split end Joey Galloway.

Also, for the Saints, there was some talk that Duece McAllister might not start for New Orleans, but he's ready to go. The Bucs have historically had a tough time against him, so watch that matchup closely.

I'll be back throughout the game with analysis and news in the comments section, so check back regularly. I'll be breaking some news there soon about a certain young and popular Bucs player you're going to see a lot of today. I'll spill the beans in a little while.

(Pictured - The Bucs take the field for the season opener. Times photo - Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[MrNegative1]

Clayton inactive.....Big Dawg will be crying at 3:00 tomorrow, especially if the Bucs lose. If the Bucs win, he'll point to the Wacky Coach ruining his favorite guys confidence and how it will ruin the season for the entire team.......can't wait.

Clayton will be the odd man out when Stevens comes back. Clayton will probably be dealt for a 3rd through 5th round pick and Ron and Ian will cry about losing such a positive young man to make room for such a loser in Stevens They'll point to Nece and Clayton as good guys that an organization can win fans over with and they will call for the Glazers to step in and get rid of Allen/Gruden once and for all.

[Gru Jonden]

Garcia will prolly be injured and pulled out by halftime. Go Griese!

[Stephen_Holder]

Interesting: Bucs deferred after winning the coin toss. Remember teams didn't previously have a choice until this year. Not sure I'd defer on the road.

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, here's what I was foreshadowing earlier: The Bucs are going to play Sabby Piscitelli today. He won't start and you may not see him in the first quarter per se, but he will play probably several series today probably in place of Jermaine Phillips (SS).

[Wayne]

Does anyone know of a website that has gametrack? Both ESPN's & NFL.com's are missing. A OCONUS soldier.

[DV]

I really don't agree with the decision to kick off in an away game either... why?

[DV]

NFL.com game center is up

[Hayes]

Terrible start!!!!

[Stephen_Holder]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I don't get the decision to kick off on the road -- in this stadium. You give your opponent a chance to set the tone and get the crowd jacked up. And guess what? That's exactly what they did.

[ohiofan]

come on lets get goin!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stephen_Holder]

And going back to the TD, Aqib has to play the man, not the ball in that situation. If he runs all the way through he could have made a play. Guess he's not used to quarterbacks making those kinds of throws. It's not like he was facing Drew Brees at Kansas.

[Hayes]

Interception!!!! Thank God for our defense!!!! Pick 6!!!!

[An Intrigued Bucs Fan]

Superdome simmered down now?

[Hayes]

It quieted a few fans...

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Hopefully that play will fire up the offense.

[Stephen_Holder]

Bucs haven't really shown any sort of LB blitz on tape. The Saints never saw that one coming because it's not really a part of the Bucs' arsenal. I think it might be this season.

[Hayes]

The defense is sharpening up...let's just hope the offense settles down and can make something happen!!!! Good blitzing from our linebackers on that interception by the way!

[ohiofan]

yes!!!!! back in the game baby

[george c. costanza]

Kung Pow!!!

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Garcia's left wrist and hand is wrapped. Wasn't it his right pinky causing issues?

[Hayes]

O-line is suspect so far....

[Stephen_Holder]

Leo... Jeff always wore that wrap on his left hand. It's from a previous injury, unrelated this one.

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

That explains it. Thanks Stephen.

[Hayes]

Good run Graham!!!!

[Stephen_Holder]

Okay, this has to be said: Dexter Jackson apparently doesn't know which way the end zone is. He is running sideways, backward -- every way but north and south. That's the first lesson he's got to learn. That might have worked against Middle Tennessee State, but this is the NFL kid.

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

The pocket is collapsing very quickly around Garcia.

[Hayes]

I just went on E-bay and ordered some protection for Garcia...It should be in New Orleans by half-time...tell Gruden that he can sign for it!!!!

[bucco]

Okay this has to be said...I think the ghost of Tony Dungy's offense is still here. Man..after all these years you just stop hoping we'd get an offense. Simply sad.

[kevinmills]

Stephen,

I usually agree with you and yes you have to run north and south most of the time but I've seen Hester and D. Hall a few years ago turn some horrible looking returns into six.

[gatrmf]

here come another year of our chuck and duck offense we will never be serious contenders with this offense and personnel decisions by gruden and allen. why is bennett inactive this is crazy

[kevinmills]

I've never seen an oline that can run block so well and pass block so poorly.

[Dan]

Stephen, this is why Gruden doesnt deserve to be employed here. 3rd and 23 and Graham up the middle? Come on pal.

[george c. costanza]

Meanwhile, Desean Jackson of the Eagles is lookin pretty sharp today

[kevinmills]

Bennett being active isnt going to help our pass protection, our pass rush, or our tackling. Why do people keep harping on this?

[gatrmf]

griese has more poise in the pocket and better reads

[Stephen_Holder]

Dan, in Jon's defense (I never do that), he had no intention of making that first down. They just wanted to punt and get out of a bad situation. Not saying I agree, but that was the plan.

[kevinmills]

dan,

"Stephen, this is why Gruden doesnt deserve to be employed here. 3rd and 23 and Graham up the middle? Come on pal."

Then most coaches in the NFL would be fired. Thats a pretty consistent call around the league, or a screen pass.

[Hayes]

Sabby's in the game now...

[gatrmf]

because bennett is a home run threat and dunn is old

[gatrmf]

hey stephen what is your prediction for our record

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Ya, Sabby!!!

[Bucco]

No Kevinmills in Dan's defense every coach does not do that.

[Stephen_Holder]

gatrmf, I predicted 9-7 with the Saints winning the division and the Bucs getting the wildcard. Those predictions won't mean anything by the time the season's over, but for what it's worth, that's what I said.

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Thanks to EG that play action looked good.

[gatrmf]

pound graham that is our best option

[Hayes]

Thanks Trueblood...we needed that...

[Stephen_Holder]

That's Hilliard's 500th catch. Also, Maurice Stovall has a shoulder injury and is questionable.

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

I can live with those kinds of penalties. Let's show them we are not going to be intimidated!

[Hayes]

Those penalties costed us that drive...

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Hopefully Trueblood's message will last the rest of the game.