10 Things To Scrutinize
September 7th, 2014
Greg Hardy and new Bucs left tackle Anthony Collins will square off for the first time today
1) Right guard: Will it really be Patrick Omameh starting? Lovie Smith never made that clear. If so, Joe wishes the Michigan product well in his first career start, but he’s got to play better.
2) Greg Hardy/Anthony Collins: The stat geeks say Collins didn’t allow a sack last season. Collins broke that alleged streak this preseason, however. Greg Hardy, the Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end, is a brutal matchup and he and Collins have never squared off. Joe’s fired up to see Collins with the battle.
3) Up tempo: Players have been talking about the pace of the mysterious “up tempo” Bucs offense for months. How much will the “up tempo” really be seen?
4) Offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford: Will he be cleared to call plays today? After months of vague talk, what the heck does the Tedford offense look like, whether he’s here or not?
5) Michael Johnson: Disappointing 2013 + big money + quiet summer = question mark.
6) Alterraun Verner: How does that healing hamstring hold up in the second half?
7) Patrick Murray: Rookie kicker. Hold your breath and hope the pride of Fordham is the real deal.
8) Mike Evans: Good chance the Panthers make Mike Evans beat them and double cover Vincent Jackson. Ron Rivera surely remembers how Jackson hurt him in 2012. The rookie’s going to have play big — immediately.
9) Kick/punt returns: Whoever is called upon has little to no experience. Joe would be happy with no mistakes.
10) Gerald McCoy: The man entered training camp in midseason condition and was downright dominant every time he stepped on the field. That should continue today. With rookie guard Trai Turner across from him, McCoy will draw all kinds of double- and triple-teams.
September 7th, 2014 at 9:01 am
God damn is it 425 yet?!?!!
September 7th, 2014 at 9:03 am
No, but it’s nearing 4:20.
September 7th, 2014 at 9:09 am
@Buccfan37 – That’s Awesome!
September 7th, 2014 at 9:10 am
Missed the biggest one, but this top 10 stuff is fresh!
11) Josh McCown. Serviceable veteran QB or fugly scrub?
September 7th, 2014 at 9:16 am
McCoy’s price tag is going to go up with every game. I sure hope Licht and McCoy’s agent our on the same page here.
September 7th, 2014 at 9:47 am
Missed another
Coaches
Good coaches make mediocre teams look great
Bad coaches make good teams look bad
September 7th, 2014 at 10:01 am
Joe
How could you leave out LVD and Foster?
September 7th, 2014 at 10:04 am
No need for McCoy on that list – ASJ – thats a player to scrutinize especially if we really do love 2 TE sets
September 7th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Tailgate Sunday.. Ya Baby
September 7th, 2014 at 10:20 am
Can we be clear that Johnson did not have a disappointing year in 2013? Literally improved in all phases of his game, the only change was sack stats.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:34 am
Help. I will be unexpectedly stuck in the air flying back to FL from CA during the game. Is there anyway to watch it live online? I don’t mind paying, but not for a full season of NFL Ticket.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:37 am
Harry,
Not fair. You’ll actually have more leg and elbow room on that plane than I will at the stadium – plus you’ll have a/c.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:42 am
Lightning,
I’ll take your less leg and elbow room for the A/C… Trade?
September 7th, 2014 at 10:55 am
Careful lightningbuc. Your cost, of going to the game, isn’t nearly as expensive as a plane ticket from… whoops, maybe it IS a good deal. 🙂
September 7th, 2014 at 11:03 am
lol Hawk
September 7th, 2014 at 11:03 am
on my way to the SD airport…, see ya
September 7th, 2014 at 11:05 am
“5) Michael Johnson: Disappointing 2013 + big money + quiet summer = question mark.” Yup. Earn those duckets MJ.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:05 am
I cannot wait to get this thing rolling. Go Bucs!!!
September 7th, 2014 at 11:10 am
In an unrelated note
The Eagles released wide receiver Arrelious Benn with an injury settlement, according to ESPN on Saturday. Benn suffered a concussion in the third week of preseason, but it was a back injury that caused him to land on the injury reserve to start the season before he was officially waived by Philadelphia.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Buccfan37 Says:
September 7th, 2014 at 9:03 am
No, but it’s nearing 4:20
Yes it is
September 7th, 2014 at 11:29 am
It’s always 4:20 around here, need to change these clock batteries. 😉
September 7th, 2014 at 11:33 am
More questions, mike Jenkins vs kelvin Benjamin? How many turnovers will McCown produce? Can Martin run behind our duck taped line? How many 15 yr penalties will goldson get? If the game comes down to a fg will the rookie choke?
September 7th, 2014 at 11:53 am
I spent the last day or so kind of out of touch. Was a deal with McCoy announced?
September 7th, 2014 at 11:56 am
Yes. Mccoy deal. 2 sacks. 5 hurries and go bucs. 4 20 twen twen
September 7th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
I think the key to this whole thing is to keep our defense well rested. If they’re on the field for most of the game, it wont end well for us. So, with that being said our offense not only need to score points, but have a better time of possession than the panthers. Keep Cam on the sidelines watching the game.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Nope. No McCoy deal 🙁
Man, that is going to hurt next year. Then again, Goldson will probably be cut then, so we’ll have money freed up. Mason Foster has earned an extension, but not a big one. He’s solid though, so maybe they should lock him up THIS year at a low rate.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Heart Stint for Tedford. Cam out.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
LET ME JUST THANK FOX SPORTS
I thank them for putting the divisional game on before our game. We’ll get to see the level of competition we’ll be facing later. I always felt a divisional game should be shown as the second game on Sundays.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Tedford is out. Jay glazer report he had a heart stent.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Yeah, looks like Cam is likely OUT. Mr Anderson, meet Mr McCoy
September 7th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
420? Are you kiddin me? Y’all need to grow up and get a job.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:33 pm
I’m not worried about GMC, in fact I predict that Bucs front 7 knock Cam back into the stone age – flack jacket and all.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Truebucfan22… Are you kidding me? We old folks need it more than you young folks. Age has nothing to do with it, It’s a universal age aid.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Per ESPN
Panthers coach Ron Rivera is hesitant to play QB Cam Newton, who is recovering from fractured ribs, according to Chris Mortensen’s sources and multiple reports. Derek Anderson is likely to start.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Heart stent? According to my research, you can resume normal activities a week after the procedure unless there were complications. Must not have gone as well as hoped.
September 7th, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Good summary. I agree that these are the most important, or at least interesting, things to keep an eye on.