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Bills/Buccaneers: Final Predictions from Buc 'Em

Brian Galliford — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:15:10 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to take the field of play in Ralph Wilson Stadium for the first time in team history tomorrow when they take on our Buffalo Bills. With both Tampa Bay and Buffalo coming off of Week 1 defeats - and yeah, one of those losses was a touch more excruciating than the other - desperation for a win is high on both sides of the field this weekend.

Buffalo will be without MLB Paul Posluszny, who is out indefinitely nursing a broken forearm back to health. Meanwhile, CB Terrence McGee is listed as questionable after missing Friday's practice with back spasms. Tampa Bay is not quite as healthy as Buffalo; C Jeff Faine (triceps) and CB E.J. Biggers (shoulder) are out, WR Antonio Bryant (knee) is doubtful, and DE Kyle Moore (groin) and TE John Gilmore (ankle) are questionable.

Joining us for one last day of pre-game fun are "Buc Wild" and "Niko521bucs," the lead bloggers over at SB Nation's Buccaneers blog, Buc 'Em. I asked them to make predictions for this weekend's big game, and they very kindly obliged. You'll find their predictions - along with my own - after the jump.

Prediction from Niko521bucs at Buc 'Em:

As hard as this is for me to say, if the Bucs don't win this week, they won't win for a long time, and the season WILL spiral into a 3-win season, no matter how good the offense is. My prediction is 24 to 23; whoever wins, it will be by that score. I hope we are capable of scoring extra points with our three touchdowns!

Prediction from Buc Wild at Buc 'Em:

I'll echo Niko's sentiments. This game, with games vs NYG, at WAS, at PHI, vs CAR and vs NE (in London) on the docket after this, seems to be the most winnable game. Now, any team can win on any day, but if I were a betting man, this would be the most likely victory out of our first 7 games.

We've looked at how Byron has done, we've see how the Bills move the ball, who they rely on. We've discussed the Bills' strengths and weaknesses, as well as the Bucs'. I think Buffalo will be a bit weaker than we think. They're already missing their starting middle linebacker, and may be missing their top corner (McGee) along with Lynch this weekend. If that happens, it lessens the hit of Bryant being out (if he ends up not playing).

I'm throwing my own Hail Mary here. I'm having faith that Bates and Morris fixed the problems on defense. I see a different scheme that generates pressure. I'm not too worried about T.O. or Jackson, its Evans and his speed that scare me. The Bucs O won't be as good, Leftwich will turn it over for the first time, but the Bucs will pound out a close game. The Bucs have to keep it close and weather the no-huddle storm. This is probably the last game I pick the Bucs to win for awhile, so slap me down for a 24-20 win.

Before I get to my prediction, I feel compelled to say something. If being up for a winnable game in between several difficult games is the best reason for predicting a winner, then there are two serious problems here: number one, the head coach is doing a terrible job of keeping his players focused, and number two, one is not considering the same exact factor for the other team. Buffalo follows up this game with dates vs NO, at MIA, and then "catch a break" with a home date vs CLE. So let's not pretend the Bills aren't desperate, too, shall we?

Prediction from yours truly:

As much as I'd like to see Buffalo prove all of its skeptics incorrect and really lay it to the Bucs after going toe-to-toe with New England - a supposed Super Bowl favorite - I just can't bring myself to actually predict it will happen. The Bucs are a tough matchup for the Bills because of their running game and their far-too-unheralded offensive line. I just don't think, ultimately, that the Bucs have enough defense to contain all of the Bills' offensive weapons - and yeah, it's been a long, long time since I've written anything like that. This game will be close for three quarters, and the Bills will pull away at the end. Bills 27, Buccaneers 17

Your predictions? They go in the comments section. Have at it.

Grading out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Defense

Buc Wild — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:00:11 -0000

Looking back to Thursday's game, it's hard to imagine the way our defense played led to a loss. Granted, allowing 10 points is not bad, but a loss is a loss, or so I've been told. Let's take a gander at each of the units/positions on defense and how they fared.

Defensive Line

To me, this has been the biggest surprise. With a highly touted 3rd year player (Gaines Adams), some re-treads (Hovan and Sims) and Wilkerson, I don't think this group screams trouble. But after three games, they've been pretty stout against the run (though the end of the year isnt here yet) and have generated some pressure on passing downs. Adams hasn't quite made the impact I've expected, but I won't pitch a fit until the regular season comes. Wilkerson showed some nice moves and explosion on Thursday night. The big additions have been mid round picks Roy Miller and Kyle Moore. These guys not only add some depth, they have added playmaking abilities, shown in the game against the Dolphins. Chris Bradwell continues to show up. An interception and a forced fumble were generated by the DL, along with 4 sacks (only one by the first string). Grade: B

Linebackers

A mixed bag on Thursday night. Against the run they appeared to flow to the ball, and make some nice plays. Able to read and react. Against the pass, there a bit iffy. When picking up tight ends or running backs in man to man, they seem to use the trail technique, which is fine. But in zone, they appear lost. Not a good sign. Mystery man Barrett Ruud has yet to do anything in preseason. Count me as concerned. Geno Hayes has stepped up, and I'll admit, as an FSU fan, I'm happy to see him do well, but he was my pick to start all along once we let 55 go. Flip and Hayward are nice players at WLB, but I think Hayes is the right guy here. Quincy Black still hasn't showed that flash that the coaches talked about. Koutouvides and McCoy played well. The touchdown pass by Pennington was a result of too much time in the pocket and getting lost in coverage. All in all, not a bad night, but room to improve Grade: B-

Defensive Backs

If you remove Torrie Cox from the equation, the secondary played pretty well. No big plays, a sack (E.J. Biggers), and though some spotty communication, no real downfield threats. When you put Torrie Cox in, it wasn't pretty. Down the field plays, a few muggings, just not a good night. It's hard to predict how our secondary will do without T-Jack and possibly without Talib. Elbert Mack will need to step up and we will most likely have to count on Cox to some degree if Talib misses game time. If this group can maintain discipline as they did most of Thursday night, should be a decent group. And thus far, Ronde Barber has stepped up. My only question? We haven't played a team with a dominant receiver yet, will have to see how we match up there. But for Thursday night, I'll take the few big plays against Cox with everyone else showing up. Grade: B-

Overall

10 points, thats all that was given up and the touchdown came after undisciplined coverage by Cox, and Pennington playing sandlot football and hitting his tight end. Our first string gave up 3 points over one half of football, and didn't allow Miami to become any kind of threat. That's a pretty darn good performance right there. All in all, 4 sacks, a pick, a forced fumble and recovery, and 10 total points. You hold the opponent to 10 points, I'll take it every week. The defense has progressed and continued to look good in preseason. Though we had 4 sacks, one was by the first team. I'd like to see a bit more pressure generated. Grade: B

A look at Tuesday afternoon's practice

Buc Wild — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:41:33 -0000

Another round of training camp looks. This time we take a look at Tuesday afternoon's practice and a look ahead to Saturday's game against the Tennessee Titans.

- Starting with injurie. A few more than this morning, but nothing serious. Geno Hayes, Clifton Smith, and Matt Bryant are the additions to the list. Ronde Barber and Kellen Winslow sat out also, but not with any noted injuries. Might be resting Ronde and making sure K2 stays healthy.

- Pads were off this afternoon, a much needed break in the heat. Clayton and Trueblood were on the field, though Clayton was running off to the side. Doesn't sound like he'll push it by playing on Saturday.

- Not a good afternoon for the QB's. Though the team was going at about half speed, Leftwich looked off most the afternoon, and Freeman had a pass picked by E.J. Biggers. (Editor's Note: I was not too thrilled with drafting Freeman, but I gotta say, after writing all these articles on him and realizing what we have invested in him, it's hard not to root for him to succeed).

- Cadillac lined up as a kick returner. He probably has to factor into special teams to stay on the roster, and if he's healthy, this may not be a bad thing. He was pretty good on special teams at Auburn, maybe he can contribute in the NFL in the backfield and return teams.

- Josh Johnson did throw a TD to Maurice Stovall to close out practice. Not saying it happens, but what if JJ outplays Freeman? You keep 4 QB's (I hope not)? You just flat out cut him? Good be a tough call, if that happens.

Wednesday has one practice scheduled, from 2:30 to 4:20 PM at One Buc Place. Buc 'Em will keep you updated.