I have to put Will Allen as #1 again. I am really hoping he can play well. If so, he can make a difference on this team over Sapp. If not, we could be talking to the Giants and maybe get a pick back. Livas is my #2. If he again plays well, it will change our roster. I am hoping he does. Thomas is my #3. He has to prove that he is the RB to split carries with Bush. I think he will. Choices?
Larry Johnson. I am interested to see how he looks to be honest. Also, the entire OL. The Bucs have a young athletic DL, I am interested to see how they will be able to handle that.
the offensive line will be the most important thing to watch tonight Sparano's got to show his start & begin to meld them into a unit in this preseason usually takes a recently modified offensive line three or four games to hit its stride tonight should be a major indicator of things to come on the offensive line
I'm wanting to see the whole field used on offense with no turnovers. Lots of qb pressure from the D.
Daniel Thomas... Will the recent events light a fire under his behind? Or do we have a b--ch on our hands?
IMO, Thomas needs to play well tonight. It will make a difference in what Ireland does come final cuts. LJ will be of interest as well. I'm not expecting a whole lot but, hope he surprises.
I like how Gates has looked at WR so far FF. As a returner, not so much. That aspect may dictate if Livas stays on the team.
1a. Chad Henne - Can he replicate last week's performance against a better defense? Andy Dalton was just as impressive a few nights ago against those Carolina Panthers, and I think that takes a little bit of luster off of what Chad Henne did a week ago. I'd love to see Daboll give Henne a few chances to throw in the redzone to Brandon Marshall as opposed to pounding it 4 times in a row up the gut. 1b. O-line and running game - Very interested to see how the O-line performs this week. Is Jake going to play as long as the rest of the starters? Do Murtha or Garner get some run time at RT with the first unit? Can Reggie Bush do what he did last week? Very interested to see what happens on the goaline. 2. Pass-rush. Can someone other than Cam Wake and Randy Starks pressure Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson? Koa Misi's looked solid against the run, but hasn't gotten much pressure that I've noticed. Jason Taylor hasn't looked impressive in either game getting after the passer. Do they blitz Dansby and/or Burnett more? 3. Tight Ends. Someone, fortunately or unfortunately, is also going to make the final roster besides Anthony Fasano. I'd like to see more production out of the unit as a whole. 4. Vontae Davis and Sean Smith - It wouldn't shock me one bit if Tampa tried to beat them deep early on. Can they back up their talk? 5. The Miami Dolphins - I'd like to see an effort like Carolina put on tonight against a quality opponent like Tampa Bay. If the Dolphins do again what they did last week, I'll feel better about our chances heading into the regular season. If they crash hard, well, this board is going to be in uproar for quite some time I think.
How has Gates looked thus far? I honestly haven't been paying attention to him, but I remember hearing good things about him on draft day.
Bubble guys: -Will Allen, he has been carried for 2 yrs now, he has to show something or he won't be here much longer -Larry Johnson, Cindarella Man has to show it -Mark Restelli, if he is going to make it he has to pass Ty Culver on ST -Vern Carey, when Sparano says "we have to see the interior linemen play faster" he means Carey -Lou Polite...clock is ticking on Big Lou -Fields v Baker at NT, Fields is Nolan's guy, Baker is a solid jack of all trades -Phil Merling..trade bait, the better he plays, the greater his value Longshots: -Quniton Spears, he has to pry open a roster slot -Marlon Moore..slick hands are alright in a Cb, on a Wr...you will be walking the streets -Phil Livas, he had a good game v the Falcons from a decision standpoint, but he has to maximize even 1 chance to return a kick to remain imo -John Jerry..just dreadful play so far, these guys do not mind cutting a high draft pick who is not cutting it -the small Horde of #2 Te types, someone has to win a job, it is there waiting for them to win it, will Mastrud/Epps/Shuler make a move?
I would say Henne first because he has to prove his consistency and that he can keep cutting down on turnovers. DT and especially Larry Johnson. If Johnson can't prove that he is once again capable they may be looking on the cutdown list for someone else. There are many things to watch but I believe these have to be pretty high on the list.
Although we have not yet connected on "Da Bomb" Gate has been getting wide open by running by defenders. It's a matter of timing and time before we connect. Teams will respect his speed, opening things up for Bess and Marshall. He need work on his route running but, is a bit ahead of where I thought he would be. He has shown that he belongs, and will continue to get better. In one game, or the other, I expect he will beat Revis as Ginn did. JMO.
All I care about is the offensive line and Chad Henne. The line has to start coming together, opening some holes and Chad Henne has to build on last week. I want to see a confident, decisive Chad Henne. See it, get rid of it.
All of your above are in serious trouble of being somewhere other than Miami on MNF. The only one who may not be is Carey, who still may be moved back to RT.
Wouldn't it be special to see the Larry Johnson of old? I doubt it will happen but, would be something to see.
i think Pads has it ... but all i care about is the OL right now i am not worried about Henne in this new situation .... i've said this before and remain confident that Henne can be at least as good as Flacco - and he will prove that this year. would like to see Allen and Merling prove value .... Need Livas to lock down the return job ... would like to see Spears earn a spot as he won't last long on the PS ... and would like to see Restelli show enough to grab a STs spot while he develops ...
I suspect Henne will have a good game. The Bucs style of defense is not about disguising coverage's and exotics blitzes. You can pass on that Tampa 2. I'm wondering more about the OL. The OL hasn't figure out the ZBS especially in regard to spacing and the Bucs DT are all about attacking the gaps vs the run.
Agreed Aqua. No one can dispute that Henne can do it. Being consistent, without dumb mistakes, is the question. I saw Scherith (sp) last week on Henne. He said sometimes you see him and go WOW . Other times you see him and ask what he is thinking. That's as fair an assessment as I've seen.
What I'd really like to see is the first team offense and defense to both look good again. Build some consistency and feel better about where we're at. Specifically, I'd like to see the OL have another good game, even if Long doesn't play. Carolina isn't exactly the NY jests, so it's really hard to judge... As to individual guys, I will be interested in what they do with Murtha. Whether he is going to be in there for Long or whether he is relegated to the second string LT... If Long plays, will we see Murtha at RT?? I still have mixed emotions about Colombo. He can be a very good RT for us, but will he ?? Murtha has at the least, held his own at LT while Long has been out. Can he make the adjustment to RT or will he even be asked to ?? I'd like to see him play RT, not necessarily because he may or may not be better than Colombo, but can he be our swing tackle?? Normally you'd say if he can handle the LT spot, he should do ok at the RT spot, but this kid was pretty bad for us last season, no matter where we put him, so has he really improved or are we just using smoke and mirrors ??? Wilson: After a strong first game, he kinda hit the wall. Will he overcome that wall ?? Moore: Same thing, after a strong first game he was just so-so the second game. We need that speed. Clay: He's been talked up by quite a few guys, but he hasn't really stood out to me. Of course, I'm no expert either... Clemens, Jones: Who is going to distinguish themselves? Can one of them locked down the safety spot? If I had to choose right now, I think Clemens has the edge but that's based solely on his better athleticism. Jones may have better instincts but I don't know if he can make up for the lack of athleticism. Thomas: I'm not looking for him to be Ronnie Brown's replacement, just be a little better and a little tougher than you were last week. Livas: Okay kid, show us your stuff be just a little more consistent and while you're at it, get a few reps in as a receiver. Misi: Now your time to shine. Take the next step from last year. You impressed all of us as a rookie now show us you take that next step. I guess that's enough?
Have to agree, Johnson, Wilson or Colombo should be in line for the "Cinderella Man" award as least likely to make the team.
Eminem and the Crow movie, in 2010 preseason Cam Wake was so named by LaVar Arrington. A player who is just a lot better then they used to be, or one us fans never gave much credit who breaks out and does some things.
