Bucs ready for kickoff in Big D

We're here, live from Irving, Texas where the Bucs are warming up for kickoff against the Cowboys.

There's lots of pregame news to sort through, so let's get to it.

The Bucs just announced their inactive list, and for the first time in five weeks, it does not include WR Joey Galloway. He is in uniform and will play today, though it's unclear exactly what his role will be.

Also, WR Dexter Jackson is inactive having officially lost his job as the team's kick and punt returner. Jackson likely will be replaced by rookie free agent Clifton Smith, who was signed from the practice squad on Saturday. Another notable inactive is RB Michael Bennett. That move likely is a result of Smith being active for the game.

WR Maurice Stovall (hamstring) and FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) did not make the trip.

We'll see what else the day brings as the Bucs face old friend Brad Johnson, who is starting at quarrterback for the Cowboys today. Expect him to be subjected to some creative pressure from coordinator Monte Kiffin's defense.

I'll be here throughout the afternoon to walk you through the game. Hit me up in the comments section below with your thoughts or questions.

(Pictured - Antonio Bryant. Times photo - Brendan Fitterer. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[john]

joey will kick azz today!

[Leo In Canada]

This is exciting. Today we will witness a true team (The Bucs) show a group of individuals (The Cowboys) how to play & win together. Bragging rights abound after this one!

[Dexter Jackson]

I'm not afraid of being hit. I'm trying to focus on my longevity in this league, and staying healthy.

[CARLOS LAZO]

lets go bucs

[pirateb]

lets go Bucs

[Sir Pritam the Great of England]

Love those uniforms :)

Nice frickin' hit by the punter haha

[Stephen Holder]

See what I meant by creative pressure. Haven't seen Buchanon blitz this year, at least I don't think so.

[Stephen Holder]

Notice Galloway's been lining up in the slot when he's in there.

[Sir Pritam the Great of England]

Stephen,

Isn't that unusual though for Buchanon not to be used to blitz more? I mean, he is insanely fast

[Leo In Canada]

Good start for Smith. Not a very congenial welcome to the NFL though.

[Stephen Holder]

Clifton Smith's 20-yard punt return, by the way, was the longest for the Bucs this season. Hmmmmm....

[bv6211]

Know we know why he falls down at the start of the return,Dex has been avoiding the punter.

[Halim]

T.O. is on the verge of blowing his lid.

[pirateb]

I agree with the post about T.O. we need to finish off these drives

[Geo]

Live audio stream of game for those fans out of FL

http://wwjb.com/skin/blurb.php?sectionId=0&contentId=209558

Enjoy & Go Bucs

Great matchup for Jerramy Stevens. We need to go there all day.

[jayduck]

Thanks Geo!

[Stephen Holder]

That is one hell of an adjustment by Clayton, twisting his body in midair. He has looked good lately.

Bennett should be playing.

Illegal motion...come on guys!!! Wake up! Got to Stevens - he's a foot taller than his defender.

[Stephen Holder]

okay, the Bucs are dominating this game and they have a whopping 6-0 lead. Let's be frank: you have to take advantage when a team gives you opportunities. Even wounded teams won't give you many in the NFL. The players are just too good.

Dallas looks awful. This will be a Bucs blowout.

Siragusa should not be pontificating. Sit down and shut up.

I think Barber or Taliq will pick one off here. Johnson looks confused and ill prepared.

[2nd round BUST]

Dexter Jackson is quite possibly the worst draft pick in Bucs history.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Field goals will lose us this game. Dallas can suck all game long and get a lucky pick or shot to Owens and have the lead.

[Chas]

Sure is quiet in the big D huh?

Jason Witten has injured ribs and is being evaluated. No word on whether he'll return.

Brooks should have come up with that pick.

[jobucs]

Stephen- Let us know about Phillips injury as soon as you know.

[Stephen Holder]

Jermaine Phillips has some sort of arm injury. he is questionable to return.

[Stephen Holder]

For what it's worth, Ronde and Raheem Morris are coaching up Piscitelli on the sideline pretty hard right now. Not sure whether that's an indication of whether Phillips will return, but it's possible.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Anyone else having the thought that Tampa isn't the best road team around?

[jobucs]

Where's the celebrating penalty on Jenkins.

[Russell]

Garcia looking good - scrambles for the first, has thrown to six different guys. Brian who?

[Stephen Holder]

I don't know about that decision to kick a 51-yard FG. Maybe you're better off punting and pinning them deep. Then maybe you get one last crack on offense before the half. As it stands, if the Cowboys go down and get a FG here, what have the Bucs accomplished?

[jobucs]

There's the first phantom hold on the Bucs. At the end of the day the Cowboys will have none unless they get the game in hand. That's when the league will even everything out.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Yeah, this is not what you want to see from your first-half heavy team. We usually drop off precipitously in the second half.

[Abe]

The Bucs might be the most pathetic 5-2 team in the league..Simply Gruden Pathetic..

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Abe, shut it.

[Abe]

Stephen, the bucs are not dominating this game...let's be serious and stop talking up our marginal offense..ok??

[jobucs]

I 100% agree Stephen. We needed to punt. We can only win this game with defense. The league will not have the lowly Bucs make Troy and Daryl's team look to bad. There you have it. Horse Collar tackle. Only the Bucs will get that call today. Of course Daryl agrees with the call.

[Abe]

G Michael, You shut it. If you cant handle it, go to your favorite Barbie Doll. This is the NFL pal for real men.

[Sunshine]

Both teams look putrid. If we make the playoffs, it's one and done, per usual. We look bad against a very bad team.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Woo, theres some Dallas home cookin with the refs today eh?

[jobucs]

Why don't they go ahead and give Dallas 7 and go to halftime.

[pj]

man, can the calls be anymore one sided?

[jobucs]

SHAFT SHAFT SHAFT SHAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aj]

They are giving them the lead going into the half. Dominating the first 25 minutes means nothing when you can't put at least one touchdown on the board.

[Carl]

Good thing Romo isn't starting.