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1:09 PM Fri, Sep 11, 2009 | Permalink
Josh Harvey
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The preseason is over and the NFL is finally here. The Cowboys head to Florida this weekend for a match-up with the new look Tampa Bay Bucaneers.
Considered by many a Super Bowl favorite the previous two years, Dallas is off the radar this year, and will look to jump out to a fast start in their first five games.
We emailed St. Petersburg Times Bucs Blogger Rick Stroud to learn more about what we should expect this weekend from the Buccaneers.
It didn't take long for offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski to get his walking papers? What was the biggest reason for his release and why right before the season?
The Bucs fired offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski nine days before the season opener because of his lack of attention to detail, particularly in the passing game. That's a fancy way of saying the guy had no knack for calling plays. The Bucs were last in yards per attempt passing in the preseason. Jagodzinski had never really been a play-caller, even in Green Bay, where he was offensive coordinator under Mike McCarthy. The Bucs wanted to give Jags a few preseason games to iron out the kinks, but he never did. They named quarterbacks coach Greg Olson offensive coordinator.
Olsen has been busy adding some volume to the playbook, particularly more passing routes down the field.
A lot of people thought Derrick Ward was ready to be a fantasy breakout this season, but after the preseason, we find Carnell "Cadillac" Williams20at the top of the depth chart. How will carries be split up between those two and Earnest Graham?
The Bucs will have a running back by committee approach. Williams will run out of the tunnel as the starter and IF he can stay healthy, the Bucs believe he gives them something special. But look for Ward to have a big role. Raheem Morris wants to use a 2-2-1 philosophy where the first running back gets two series, the second two series, the third one, and so on. But he also wants to stick with the hot back. One thing is certain, they do have some depth at tailback.
What did Byron Leftwich show in the preseason that gave the Bucs confidence to trade Luke McCown after he lost out the starting role?
Byron Leftwich had more than 50 games experience in the NFL. His resume was too thick to compete with. H e made plays in the off-season workouts, minicamps, training camp and preseason games. His big arm allows the Bucs to drive the ball downfield. McCown was too often check down McCown. He never really improved to the point where the Bucs' felt he could win consistently. He was 1-6 as a starter in the NFL. It really wasn't a hard choice.
Eleven-time pro-bowler Derrick Brooks is gone on the defensive side. Who is the leader out there now?
LB Barrett Ruud is the leader of the defense. He calls all the signals and has led the team in tackles the past two seasons. But DT Chris Hovan and CB Ronde Barber were voted team captains.
Were fans excited about the Raheem Morris hiring and what have their thoughts been after the preseason?
Bucs fans wanted a change. Not sure Morris was what they had in mind. He has never been a head coach, he was 32 when they hired him. Immediately, the Bucs underwent dramatic changes. Many fans disagreed with the drafting of Josh Freeman and making Byron Leftwich the starting QB. Morris will have to win games to win over fans. What's new?
The Cowboys went from some people's Super Bowl favorites to missing the playoffs last season. Tampa Bay lost the last four games of the season including a lost to Oakland to keep them out of the playoffs. Who is this opening game more important for?
The game is more important for the Cowboys. Losing to the Bucs would be a huge upset. The problem with Dallas has come in Dec. in the past. Some are skeptical, but most believe the Cowboys will stay in the hunt for the NFC East. An early loss at Tampa Bay, where the Bucs have no expectations outside of their locker room, would be devastating.
Antonio Bryant missed the preseason with a torn meniscus. What should we expect in week one? Is he 100% healthy?
Antonio Bryant's surgery was minor. He didn't play in the preseason to allow the knee to rest and heal. He has pra cticed the past two weeks. Timing and conditioning might be affected, but he spent plenty of time in the off-season working with Byron Leftwich. He'll be close to 100 percent.
For more of Stroud's thoughts, you can visit here:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/
Josh Harvey
The preseason is over and the NFL is finally here. The Cowboys head to Florida this weekend for a match-up with the new look Tampa Bay Bucaneers.
Considered by many a Super Bowl favorite the previous two years, Dallas is off the radar this year, and will look to jump out to a fast start in their first five games.
We emailed St. Petersburg Times Bucs Blogger Rick Stroud to learn more about what we should expect this weekend from the Buccaneers.
It didn't take long for offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski to get his walking papers? What was the biggest reason for his release and why right before the season?
The Bucs fired offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski nine days before the season opener because of his lack of attention to detail, particularly in the passing game. That's a fancy way of saying the guy had no knack for calling plays. The Bucs were last in yards per attempt passing in the preseason. Jagodzinski had never really been a play-caller, even in Green Bay, where he was offensive coordinator under Mike McCarthy. The Bucs wanted to give Jags a few preseason games to iron out the kinks, but he never did. They named quarterbacks coach Greg Olson offensive coordinator.
Olsen has been busy adding some volume to the playbook, particularly more passing routes down the field.
A lot of people thought Derrick Ward was ready to be a fantasy breakout this season, but after the preseason, we find Carnell "Cadillac" Williams20at the top of the depth chart. How will carries be split up between those two and Earnest Graham?
The Bucs will have a running back by committee approach. Williams will run out of the tunnel as the starter and IF he can stay healthy, the Bucs believe he gives them something special. But look for Ward to have a big role. Raheem Morris wants to use a 2-2-1 philosophy where the first running back gets two series, the second two series, the third one, and so on. But he also wants to stick with the hot back. One thing is certain, they do have some depth at tailback.
What did Byron Leftwich show in the preseason that gave the Bucs confidence to trade Luke McCown after he lost out the starting role?
Byron Leftwich had more than 50 games experience in the NFL. His resume was too thick to compete with. H e made plays in the off-season workouts, minicamps, training camp and preseason games. His big arm allows the Bucs to drive the ball downfield. McCown was too often check down McCown. He never really improved to the point where the Bucs' felt he could win consistently. He was 1-6 as a starter in the NFL. It really wasn't a hard choice.
Eleven-time pro-bowler Derrick Brooks is gone on the defensive side. Who is the leader out there now?
LB Barrett Ruud is the leader of the defense. He calls all the signals and has led the team in tackles the past two seasons. But DT Chris Hovan and CB Ronde Barber were voted team captains.
Were fans excited about the Raheem Morris hiring and what have their thoughts been after the preseason?
Bucs fans wanted a change. Not sure Morris was what they had in mind. He has never been a head coach, he was 32 when they hired him. Immediately, the Bucs underwent dramatic changes. Many fans disagreed with the drafting of Josh Freeman and making Byron Leftwich the starting QB. Morris will have to win games to win over fans. What's new?
The Cowboys went from some people's Super Bowl favorites to missing the playoffs last season. Tampa Bay lost the last four games of the season including a lost to Oakland to keep them out of the playoffs. Who is this opening game more important for?
The game is more important for the Cowboys. Losing to the Bucs would be a huge upset. The problem with Dallas has come in Dec. in the past. Some are skeptical, but most believe the Cowboys will stay in the hunt for the NFC East. An early loss at Tampa Bay, where the Bucs have no expectations outside of their locker room, would be devastating.
Antonio Bryant missed the preseason with a torn meniscus. What should we expect in week one? Is he 100% healthy?
Antonio Bryant's surgery was minor. He didn't play in the preseason to allow the knee to rest and heal. He has pra cticed the past two weeks. Timing and conditioning might be affected, but he spent plenty of time in the off-season working with Byron Leftwich. He'll be close to 100 percent.
For more of Stroud's thoughts, you can visit here:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/