Bucs Scouting Updates
 

How about all developing news items about Bucs personnel in one thread as we look forward to the game...

Buccaneers | Joseph suffers illness, setback
Tue, 3 Oct 2006 09:41:33 -0700

Buccaneers.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers OG Davin Joseph (knee/illness) has missed four weeks with a knee injury, but head coach Jon Gruden expressed optimism he would return to practice prior to Week 5. However, Joseph was sent home ill with a virus Monday, Oct. 2, and he is a long shot to play this week.

The Bucs are reportedly more concerned about Carnell Williams' back problems than they will admit.

The real test will come this week. If Williams' explosiveness isn't back after a bye week, he may struggle to be 100% all season. Williams denies that his back is a problem.

Bucs CB Brian Kelly (turf toe) will start in Week 5 after missing two games.

Tampa's secondary has missed the underrated corner greatly because it's a big drop-off to Juran Bolden. "I hope this time I've taken off will buy me 10-12 weeks," he said. "If I can get that far in, I'm good to go." Kelly will help cover Marques Colston and Joe Horn.
Source: Tampa Tribune

RE: Bucs Scouting Updates
 

thats why I hated to get them after the bye week. they know now the D is going to carry them more than ever before. Jon will have some surprises ready for the dome that's for sure.

bye week or not this is a team we should beat. They have a rookie quarter back making his first start of his carrer and a team that has not run the ball at all..yea they might play a little better but having a hard time seeing this team coming in the dome and beating us..plus there defense hasn't looked good at all prediction: saints 31 bucs 13

If we can run between the tackles the Bucs are dead meat.



8)

I hope we don't underestimate Gradkowski. While he is a rookie & no superstar by any means, he is a sound QB.......probably more sound than Simms. Pressure, pressure, pressure!!! We didn't put any on Delhomme & it hurt us. I would hate to see another QB sit in the pocket all day & pick our below average CB's apart again.

we don't have below average CB's. Ok, I'll give you Craft. But the starting corners, especially Thomas, have done a pretty commendable job on the WR's they've faced. With the rules that favor the passing game, one should never expect that these guys would shut down all the quality receivers they face, but with the low yardage given up in the air so far this year, I'd say that being ranked in the top 6 for passing defense means that our corners are above average.

My apologies to Freddie Thomas......he has played well. McKenzie & Craft have played horribly all season. If you want to attribute the ranking of our pass defense to someone, give credit where credit is due. Our D-line has played exceptionally well & rushed the QB every game (except Carolina) & our LB's & young safeties have been outstanding in pass coverage. Calling our CB's "above average" is a huge reach! C'mon man.....Favre torched McKenzie & Craft in game 2. Hell.....Braylon Edwards mistreated McKenzie in game 1. You can't really count Atlanta, because everyone knows Vick won't beat you passing the ball. Game 4? Did McKenzie not get beat like a drum again? That's the point.......the d-line, LB's, & safeties have all played great so far this year, but let's be real......our CB's (Thomas excluded) have been mistreated by opposing WR's all year. That's just fact, man. Hopefully they will improve, but for now......they're the weakest link!

Did you see what the Packers did to Ahman Carroll? He stunk up the place on Monday night and was sent packing on Tuesday MORNING. It looks like McCarthy finally has developed some gonads!

Agree that our corners rate average when they are playing at their best. I think McKenzie would be much improved if he was the #2 guy across from a shutdowner.

Another thread perhaps but i think it would be reflective of where we think the holes are...

If a draft was tomorrow, what position do you think would be our biggest need. I would pick cornerback. Ideally, we might sign a established top notch corner in the offseason and then draft another on the first day of the draft. We're more than set at safety, two good DEs (if CG resigned), Thomas can do for another year maybe, a higher level vet or first day draft pick at LB would solidfy that... I could actually envsion defense becoming a real ongoing strength. Wow, how long has it been since even able to imagine that.

McKenzie's usually got #1 WR priority, so, of course he'll get exposed more often. No arguments on Craft. However, our safeties are somewhat swivel headed and lose TE's way too often. I'm absolutely not saying that this is a superior unit, but I am saying that based on what we've seen thusfar, they make plays and keep receivers contained to the point where the pass defense unit is top 6. It also helps that the pressure on the qb is pretty good, but even when there wasn't much pressure, Carolina still didn't move the ball at will against the secondary - only 169 yards in the air.

Against TB, the gameplan looks to be similar to the one used against the Falcons, only the TB qb isn't as mobile a threat so outside containment won't be as much of an issue. As such, forcing them to run between the tackles will bog them down and make them attack our cover 2 to the outside or get a "mismatch" on the outside. I'm not liking TB's chances against our D.