Tampa Bay faces numerous obstacles today as it begins defense of its 2007 NFC South segmenting call against the New Orleans Saints. The period opener couldn't come at a worse time. After Hurricane Gustav brushed by this city, the quarters fans in Louisiana will gathering around the team.
But the from the start scion with the Bucs is their form -- and willingness -- for today's game. It is ease to pay the way for if quarterback Jeff Garcia and afield receiver Joey Galloway, who missed most and all of the preseason, respectively, can furious a trade and press the Bucs' offense in a matchup of the concluding two section champions. Or if their ages of 38 and 36 will begin to gather up with them. Or if they will be handicapped by the groin wrong that is still affecting Galloway and the awkward calf muscle that prevented Garcia from getting into any courteous of lilt since the first of training camp. And it's the same with fullback B.J. Askew, who had foot surgery in the end month, and defensive demolish Jovan Haye, who also had a groin injury.
"I can't categorically deem about … how much I didn't workout or how much I didn't rival in the preseason," said Garcia, who suffered a jammed brief a fresh last week. "I'm emancipate of any pain or discomfort or soreness or stiffness (in the calf). "I'm competent enough at this brink -- he's in his 10th NFL age -- to be versed what I have to do to prepare for this game." Galloway will be a game-time decision.
If he cannot play, the Bucs have no mysterious peril to effect the pressure off the running game, which must commemorate the Saints' improved defense honest. Galloway has been a Saints killer, with 30 receptions for 632 yards and nine touchdowns in the abide seven games against New Orleans. It's duration to consult if the creative additions such as accessible agents Warrick Dunn and Jeff Faine can significantly upgrade the offense. "I'm well off with the set and I am relaxing with the guys," said Dunn, returning to Tampa Bay after six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Then there's rookie Dexter Jackson.
Will he conduct any power off his 83-yard bet recurrence for a touchdown 10 days ago in the preseason finale against the Texans? Or will Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks, at epoch 35, and the defense, still have that razor's causticity of fervour and quickness that made them the No. 1 defense in the NFC and No. 2 in the NFL survive year? It will be sparely tested by a New Orleans offense that features the greatest quarterback in the division, Drew Brees, downhill competition back Deuce McAllister and breakaway danger Reggie Bush, and wide of the mark receiver Marques Colston. Then there is neat end Jeremy Shockey, the latest New York Giants Pro Bowler, whom the Saints traded for, who will build his New Orleans debut.
He was one of the notable upgrades for the Saints, who won the allotment in 2006 with a 10-6 record, but finished 7-9 conclusive year following an 0-4 start. "We'll regard out," Brooks said. "I think about obviously, internally, I brook we're up to play. I adulate where we're at as a team." Other questions.
Will injuries relish the one keeping convoy Davin Joseph out indefinitely with a ignored foot worry to an uncivil lineage that will bug out rookie Jeremy Zuttah in his put one's finger on at goodness guard? Will Antonio Bryant, who is being counted on as the No. 2 receiver but is battling a serious knee, in good enough to play? Essentially, not much bodes well for the Buccaneers, as they begin their pilgrimage to become the beginning NFC South pair to duplicate as sustain since the inception of this splitting arrangement in 2002. Not today, in the diocese of New Orleans, where the horde at the Superdome will be supercharged, rallying behind the Saints less than one week after Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana. "When you face at the Saints, you surely gaze at them as the rig to hammer in the South division," Garcia said.
"Because of what they did two years ago (winning the division) and what they did in the substitute half of the mature behind year." The load noise figures to be as deafening as ever when Tampa Bay has the ball. "It's accepted to be loud, anyhow of the circumstances," said Bucs chief executive officer coach Jon Gruden.
"But they have a lot of reasons to glory in New Orleans convenient now." The Saints have been a barometer for the Bucs. Tampa Bay has swept the Saints the heretofore two times the Bucs won the division, in 2005 and 2007. Garcia becomes the gold quarterback to disclose a move unelaborated opportunity for the Buccaneers under Gruden since Brad Johnson departed after the 2004 season.
"When you have an offense as gunpowder as they are and an improved defense, it's growing to be a battle," Garcia said. The essential backer for the defense will be whether the melt away blitz can get to Brees, who set an NFL data with 440 completions termination year and set team records with 4,423 loss yards, a 67.5 finalization percentage and tossed 28 touchdown passes. The Bucs sacked him five times, which was a big statistic in Tampa Bay's two victories over New Orleans a year ago. Bucs notebook As much as the Buccaneers have talked up their three-pronged continuous attack, it is able that the No. 3 back, Michael Bennett, will be in the midst the team's six inactives today.
NFL teams can arrange only 47 players from their 53-man roster. "We might not have three tailbacks up, it might not be feasible," Gruden said. They have to expiate for the accidental that one of the ample receivers on the damage report, Galloway, Michael Clayton (chest) and Antonio Bryant (knee) will be inactive. Rookie WR Dexter Jackson figures to adopt one of the substantial receiver spots, as the profit specialist.
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