Panthers-Bucs from RayJay
First place in the NFC South is up for grabs today as the Bucs and Panthers prepare to square off here at Raymond James Stadium.
The Bucs will be without QB Brian Griese, as expected, who is inactive. Jeff Garcia gets the start with Luke McCown the primary backup and Josh Johnson listed at No. 3.
The starters at receiver are Michael Clayton and Antonio Bryant, with Joey Galloway still sidelined with a foot injury. Byron Storer starts for B.J. Askew at fullback, who is still out with a hamstring injury.
There's bad news for the Panthers. Starting offensive linemen Jeff Otah (RT) and Ryan Kalil (C) will miss the game with injuries. The Bucs need to capitalize by putting pressure on QB Jake Delhomme.
I'll see you in the comments section below. I think everyone knows the drill by now.
Bucs Beat is the online destination for Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans interested in the latest news about the team. St. Petersburg Times reporters Rick Stroud, Stephen Holder, Dave Scheiber and Joe Smith will provide regular updates. Readers can comment on players, coaches, the front office - all of it.
Didn't realize that Delhomme is 7-1 versus the Bucs.
Posted by: DR | October 12, 2008 at 12:56 PM
This should be a "Slugfest". I sure hope the Bucs can minimize the penalties and maximize the opportunities & turnovers.
Posted by: Leo in Canada | October 12, 2008 at 01:04 PM
lets get goin early light the cannon
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:06 PM
wow what a start
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:11 PM
holy moly rigatoni!!
Posted by: george c. costanza | October 12, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Stephen - Can you comment on Jovan Haye. He's been very quite this season after having 6 sacks last season. Has he been creating any push up the middle?
Posted by: NYTAMPAFAN | October 12, 2008 at 01:16 PM
come on jackson!!!!
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:17 PM
GHOST OF KEITH MCCANTS...DEXTER JACKSON..WORST DRAFT PICK IN HISTORY...
Posted by: Abe | October 12, 2008 at 01:17 PM
C'mon DJax. We have seen your potential. Show us your good stuff.
Posted by: Leo in Canada | October 12, 2008 at 01:17 PM
geez, jackson just looks awful
Posted by: DR | October 12, 2008 at 01:18 PM
That's terrible timing on that poor return from Dexter Jackson. He single-handedly ruined what was going to be pretty good field position for the Bucs. Every time you start to feel better about the kid he does something inexplicable, like stutter step for 10 minutes inside the 15 yard-line.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:18 PM
perfect pass by garcia
Posted by: DR | October 12, 2008 at 01:18 PM
dexter is a wimp
Posted by: gatrmf | October 12, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Does Dexter know that he is supposed to run forwards? Seriously?
Posted by: Your Mom | October 12, 2008 at 01:21 PM
garcia looking solid
Posted by: DR | October 12, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Garcia's playing angry today, hes out to prove he's always been grudens guy
Posted by: NYTAMPAFAN | October 12, 2008 at 01:23 PM
& more killing drive penalties
Posted by: NYTAMPAFAN | October 12, 2008 at 01:24 PM
It's early but great synergy between Garcia & his receivers.
Posted by: Leo in Canada | October 12, 2008 at 01:25 PM
when we get the ball back we need to establish the run we have two good backs
Posted by: gatrmf | October 12, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Offensive pass interference. Another drive killer.
Posted by: Drew | October 12, 2008 at 01:27 PM
barber, what? uncharacteristic of him.
Posted by: DR | October 12, 2008 at 01:29 PM
nice great start guys!!!!
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:29 PM
dont be conservative please gruden
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Anybody see the Barber penalty? Still at a loss there
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Ohio, this is the perfect place to go for the jugular. These guys are on their heels.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:31 PM
fire the gosh darn cannons!!!!!! im from toledo i seen the upset yesterday stephen
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Dang...we're playin' football! This is fun...
Posted by: Turk | October 12, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I hope everyone (Gruden included) realizes how many of this team's points this season have come off turnovers. It's the overwhelming majority, by the way. Hell of a luxury.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Yeah, Barber didn't do anything. he was pushed.
Posted by: Turk | October 12, 2008 at 01:35 PM
The injury news isn't good: Stovall has a hamstring injury and is questionable. Now Storer is down and has been for a while. They have no other fullback, mind you.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:37 PM
how do u not cover smith thats crazy come on!!
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Oh he was covered, just put a good move on Jackson.
Posted by: Your Mom | October 12, 2008 at 01:40 PM
o ok well step up d we need a stand!!
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Ok Defense. Time for a statement here!
Posted by: Leo in Canada | October 12, 2008 at 01:42 PM
How 'bout that: a little Wildcat offense from Carolina.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:44 PM
is gruden seriously going to challenge that? its not even close, the guy was down. what a moron
Posted by: DR | October 12, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Stephen. I think the Wildcat Offense is an act of desperation.
Posted by: Leo in Canada | October 12, 2008 at 01:48 PM
thats a bunch of bs.....
Posted by: ohiotampafan | October 12, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Any idea why we dont see more of the RB Bennett? is he hurt? I would like to see his speed used in the return game.
Posted by: ValricoMark | October 12, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Leo, if you use it once in a blue moon, it's just a gimmick. If you use it to the extent Miami does, then I think I agree with you. Either way, it's definitely not standard stuff.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:50 PM
DR watch the play he never touched the ground his leg was on top of a buc player. BAD CALL shoulda been bucs ball
Posted by: NYTAMPAFAN | October 12, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Now, that's Rude, er I mean Ruud. Great stop Big D!
Posted by: Leo in Canada | October 12, 2008 at 01:52 PM
ValricoMark, you releated to ValricoRick? Anyway, regarding Bennett, he's fine. Here's my standard answer to this question, which I get a lot: There are barely enough carries to go around for Graham and Dunn. Why does everyone think Bennett is going to get extensive action? I see the appeal in the guy, don't get me wrong. I'm just saying that Gruden's offense is pass heavy, so there's only going to be so many carries.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Graham as FB with 28 behind him?
Posted by: Sunglasses Future | October 12, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Any scoop on Storer?
Posted by: Turk | October 12, 2008 at 01:54 PM
How about Bennett getting involved in the return game?
Posted by: Leo in Canada | October 12, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Meet your new fullback: Earnest Graham.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:56 PM
And your new featured back: Warrick Dunn.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:56 PM
I guess so
Posted by: | October 12, 2008 at 01:56 PM
storer has a knee sprain. He's questionable at best right now. Sometimes more serious injuries are described as such until the damage is determined. But I don't want to guess.
Posted by: Stephen Holder | October 12, 2008 at 01:57 PM