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Bucs Get All They Want Out Of Preseason Romp

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2008

TAMPA - You can only ask so much from an exhibition game.

First, no serious injuries.

Second, have at least a few guys make a positive impression, especially since the regular season will be here before you know it. And the Bucs certainly had basically their pick of positive Sunday night as they handled New England easily, 27-10, in a practice game at Ray-Jay.

It started with the opening drive – 80 yards, 17 plays, 9:38, culminating in a 1-yard TD run by Earnest Graham – and didn't really stop.

If you want to debate quarterbacks, it could get pretty lively.

Brian Griese was 9-of-10 for 44 yards in his quarter.

Luke McCown was 6-of-7 for 76 yards and a touchdown in his quarter.

One of those two will wind up as the backup to Jeff Garcia (assuming Garcia's leg injury will mend sufficiently for him to take the snap on opening day at New Orleans, and we've learned to make no assumptions).

"I feel really comfortable," Griese said. "I feel the most comfort in this offense than any other offense I have been in. I really enjoy the fact that the quarterback has a lot of responsibility for getting the team in and out at the right time and I take that responsibility seriously."

He sure played like someone who could comfortably take over in a crisis.

"Brian Griese made some great decisions," Bucs Coach Jon Gruden said. "We are going to challenge him above the neck. He is a good football player and we are going to ask him to do a lot."

McCown Sparkled

But, can anyone expect much more than McCown gave?

Yes, yes … exhibition football. Obligatory disclaimer.

But his rating for this evening of faux football was 151.5 and that's good in any league, at any time.

Given the uncertainty of Garcia's health, having those two in reserve is at least a little comfort.
Wait, though. There is more.

Michael Bennett was strong last week at Miami and he was strong again. He picked up 57 yards on eight lugs, including a 23-yard run. Dude has some quicks. The Bucs picked up 114 rushing yards in the first half alone.

"The biggest thing is to come out and play," Bennett said. "Being able to come out and get some work in with the first group of guys felt good. I was able to get into a good rhythm early."

The preceding paragraphs include a lot of interesting offensive numbers for the Bucs, but here's one I'm not quite sure what to make of. They had eight different receivers catch passes in the first half alone – which, let's face it, is the time that really counts in these type games.

Ike Hilliard, Warrick Dunn (remember him?), and Byron Storer each caught three balls. Antonio Bryant had two, including a 33-yarder. As encouraging as the work was by the quarterbacks, this is potentially more significant.

Griese and/or McCown will only play in an emergency, but everyone knows the problems the Bucs have had with receivers. As long as Joey Galloway limps around, receivers will be a concern. Gruden has said this unit could be better than people think, though. It certainly appears to be a little deeper than first thought.

Season's Start Near

There is basically one of these practice games to go – Saturday at Ray-Jay against Jacksonville. The schedule requires the Bucs to go to Houston for a fourth exhibition game, but the heavy lifting is done by then and Gruden will be in a "protect the starters" mode.

There are many decisions to be made between now and New Orleans and I'm not sure anyone should just automatically assume Galloway or Garcia will be ready to go by then. Even if they are, they have missed a lot of work.

That's where the depth that Gruden has preached about all summer becomes even more important. They certainly appear to have some of that.

At least that's how it looked on a night of positive impressions.

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