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

[Hayes]

Good play T-Jax!!!

[gatrmf]

chuck and duck from 2002 -2008 how much longer do we have to watch this

[Stephen_Holder]

Garcia cannot continue to play under siege like this. This defensive line is giving the Bucs fits. They can't exploit the weak secondary if they can't protect the quarterback.

[DV]

Where's Brad Johnson when you need him?

[gatrmf]

bill muir is a great line coach that all i ever hear, but every year it basically is sub-par

[DV]

gatrmf I think a good coach + mediocre talent = our O line, Davin Joseph being the exception.

[Hayes]

Bryant!!!!

[Stephen_Holder]

By the way, notice that Hilliard fielded the last punt? They didn't want Jackson to have to field a punt late in the half deep in his own territory I suppose.

[Hayes]

Why not try a shot to the endzone??? So conservative????

[Stephen_Holder]

I know this won't be a popular statement, but your favorite head coach just isn't one to take many chances. Look at history: he plays everything close to the vest.

[Taylor]

complain all you want guys.. we're up 10-7 and they haven't done a damn thing since their first drive and we've had multiple drives stall on bad breaks. all this against the team that's 'supposed' to beat us out in the division with all their new additions.

[Taylor]

jeff looks like he's getting in a groove and earnest is looking good... obviously the defense is doing great. i'm pretty happy right now..

[george c. costanza]

you're right, Taylor

[Ben]

Falcons look pretty good btw

[kevinmills]

Who is Grant beating. I'm guessing it is Trueblood?

I said it before but it boggles the mind how we can have run blocking but no pass blocking.

How do you guys expect us to go down the field and not 'dink and dunk' when we have no protection.

it really is confusing. We've got talented young guys on the oline they just still continue to struggle. Counting Faine and Zuttah we have two new guys in there right now. They are going to have to come together as a unit in the second half if we want to add any points.

[george c. costanza]

I'm not watching the game since it's not on where I live.

What happened on the NO td pass? Can I get a description?

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Stephen. Your statement about our conservative coach is ironic because Gruden's coaching soul mate is calling the game on TV. Just like Billick, teams hire these so-called offensive gurus and they win Super Bowls by becoming conservative with great defenses.

[gatrmf]

hey i all i know is it is the same crap every year sinnce the start of 2003. i want this team to excel and by the wat the saints weren't that good last year and all the same pundits that were pumping the saints up were the sames ones pumping up the panthers. i am comparing our team to dallas, new york, colts, pats. if we want our team to be real contenders we have to compare against the upper echelon

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

I am very well aware of how early in the season & game it is but Davin Joseph so far is looking like the MVP of the team. (He says with tongue in cheek)

[DV]

Are there any wide recievers on the Bucs besides Hilliard? Just asking...

[DV]

Well, it looks like Dexter Jackson is officially now a BUST!

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Any official explanation on why Ike is back there on punts?

[Stephen_Holder]

About the receivers, I'm not sure whether it's the fact Garcia doesn't have time or Galloway isn't getting open, but there have been no reall attempts to get down the field in the passing game. but then again, Bucs might be playing it conservative on purpose.

[DV]

Leo, apparently it's because D-Jax sucks, just my guess...

[DV]

I say put Griese in... lol

[Taylor]

i say we try RUNNING THE BALL

[bucco]

pathetic

[Hayes]

Garcia has to make that throw!!!!

[kevinmills]

Stephen,

it looks to me like Garcia is looking he's just not getting the time or pulling the trigger.

[DV]

Could it be that the missing link is Clayton and his superior blocking?

[Stephen_Holder]

Costanza, about your question: Basically Talib was one-on-one going down the field but seemed to lose track of Patten. Once he found him, he opted to make a play on the ball, which unfortunately was well over his head. He missed it and Patten caught an easy TD. Rookie mistake. Should have just caught up to Patten since he had to wait for the ball. He would have had a better chance to make a play against the man rather than the ball. Hope that makes sense.

[gatrmf]

Greise would be a better option more poise. Besides for every good year garcia has had he also has had a crappy one. he is all blacked out because they wanted favre

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

I sure hope one of our boys shuts Shockey's mouth for him. And soon!

[george c. costanza]

thanks, stephen, for the td pass description.

i guess talib is in on nickel packages.

[Stephen_Holder]

Not sure if TV picked up on this, but something appears to be wrong with Derrick Brooks. Some sort of lower body injury. Can't see from by vantage point.

[JScott]

Nah, the broadcast didnt mention it

[onlyohiotampafan]

way to hold up D!!!!!!

[DV]

I really unlike Gramatica.

[Hayes]

Great hold by the defense! Mack is still looking good! Didn't realize Brooks was hurt?

[DV]

Analysis thus far:

Dexter Jackson: BUST
Joey Galloway: Useless
Jeff Garcia: Worthless
Antonio Bryant: Can't catch

DEFENSE: Awesome as usual
Matt Bryant: Not as bad as we thought

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Graham did that on his own.

[Stephen_Holder]

Brooks has a hamstring issue I'm told. His return is questionable right now.

[JScott]

They just mentioned Brooks' hamstring injury

O YA!!! BRYANT!!! YA!!!

[DV]

Thank God for Earnest Graham, Big D, and special teams!

[Hayes]

I really wish we could put the ball in the endzone...field goals are nice...but it gets old not being able to score touchdowns!

[DV]

Oh well, at least thanks for Earnest Graham and special teams. :(

[DV]

I wonder who the phantom linebacker is that keeps shoving D-Jax to the ground... he's invisible.

[Jason]

How did Henderson get behind the secondary AGAIN??? Doesn't this happen EVERY TIME WE PLAY THEM??????

[Drew]

Jeff "No Arm" Garcia. 1-2-3 and out, 1-2-3 and out. Get #%&@*$^ use to it! You can have all the speed in the world, but if the QB has no arm, then negate the speed. It's going to be a long DINK-DINK-DINK pass season.