Davin Joseph getting closer?

Injured RG Davin Joseph (foot) is participating in practice for a second consecutive day, giving us more reason to think he could return Sunday at Denver against the Broncos.

Joseph said this morning he responded much better after yesterday's workout than he did last week. Last week, he practiced on Wednesday but "backed off" the following day.

"I feel confident in being able to play, but it's not just my decision," he said. "The coaches have their part in it. The trainers have their part in it as well. But if you ask me, I feel confident that I'm able to play."

It's possible the Bucs will break Joseph in slowly, perhaps playing him in a substitute role. One of the biggest concerns when he does return will be his conditioning, which has likely been greatly affected during his six-week absence.

Comments

[aj]

Can't wait til he gets back. Another big nasty. Call them dirty, just makes them happy. Tampa's needed an o-line with an attitude for a long time.

Even Penn has looked better the last 2 weeks. When Davin gets back they'll be able to roll TE or RB help for Penn, instead of backing up Zuttah.

This team will go as far as the line carries it this year. If they stay healthy that could be the distance.

[Kevin]

I totally agree Aj. Would like to see bennett run some too.

[Larry]

Very much agree, AJ.

How far you go in the NFL is more about your depth than it is the skills of your stars. Look at the RB and LT situations last year as examples of the benefits of depth.

Zuttah has played really well but Joseph, when healty, is the better player. I'd expect to see Joseph start, but Zuttah may well relieve him mid second quarter to give him some rest given the high altitude. I'd expect Joseph back in to start the second half, going for as long as his conditioning lets him.

[shane]

put zuttah at LT

[BigBucFan]

Put Zuttah at Fullback. Dunn can just jump on his back while he rumbles down the field(piggy back formation).Put Zuttah at TE covered by another TE. Try out Zuttah at left Tackle. Put Zuttah at Flanker (he may actually catch it). My personal favorite is play Zuttah at QB.

[Brandon]

Put Zuttah at LT? You did notice that Penn has only given up one sack this season, to John Abraham of all people... you're suggesting we put a rookie OG at LT? Man, Donald Penn is unappreciated by the unobservant fans!

[Henry]

Brandon,

The coaches and observant fans realize that Penn is an effective pass blocker. The knock on Penn is that he is a mediocre run blocker. I thought he would bulk-up and get stronger in the offseason. It doesn't look to me like he has.

[Tom]

Getting Joseph back for the Denver game is huge. We need to run the ball and shove the rock down their defense's throats. Denver has a very suspect run defense and we need to keep Cutler and Marshall off the field. Especially now that Sabby is hurt and we'll have to lean on Philips in passing situations. Yikes.

It's kind of silly even saying since we haven't given up a sack, but Arron Sears is struggling in pass protection. Look at the film and you'll see he gets beat quite a bit when there is a lot of space. I'm confident he'll clean that up.

However, Jeff Faine is an absolute beast! Picking him up was huge!

[Corey]

I see this as a win win for us. Jeremy Zuttah got some quality starter experience and proved his worth with Davin out. Our O-Line has not missed a beat with this rook. Once Joseph comes back our line should be even better!

[Yoshi]

When Davin Gets in there we're going to be rushing like never before. Speaking of rushing, week 6 is coming up, any word on what is going to happen with cadillac?????

[Kalind]

Shane is right, so is Kevin, Zuttah needs to play left tackle, Penn will NEVER be a franchize LT, why not try a big, incredibly strong guy (that just happens to be quicker and faster) to play LT? Kevin was right, Bennett needs to play more..with Galloway out, he's the fastest guy on the team 4.1 speed? Former Pro-Bowler, and he's not ever on the field? After he tore it up in Pre-Season? Thats just insane.

[mike]

Zuttah at left guard maybe, Sears has gotten pushed around this year. He came into camp 30 lbs. lighter and it shows. Hawgs shouldn't be pretty so put the gut back on and lets drive our way to the SUPER BOWL. Go Bucs