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By RICH SHOPES

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 15, 2008

TAMPA - There was no shortage of enthusiasm at the Buccaneers' home opener Sunday, but the sputtering economy had some fans wondering how much longer they can afford the games.

"We were talking about it on the way up here. It's just so expensive. I don't care who you are," said Vicki Uselton, of Palmetto.

Ticket prices, which increased for a sixth straight year - on average, by 24 percent - were among the topics at tailgating parties Sunday. The average ticket for a Bucs game is $90.13 - the second-highest in the league. And while the announced attendance Sunday was 63,611, good blocks of seats were still available two hours before kickoff.

A season-ticket holder, Uselton and her husband, Michael, have attended Bucs games "since they were the orange and white."

Back in the 1980s, the couple paid $30 per ticket. Between the two, a Bucs game back then cost $100, including refreshments.

Now Uselton, who has three children, figures the games cost her family $700 - maybe more. Their tickets alone run $99 to $155 apiece.

Uselton and her husband, Michael, don't plan to stop attending home games, but they might if ticket prices keep increasing.

Tailgating, though, helps justify the expense of going to a game.

"You're making a day out of it. It's not just the game," she said. "Maybe that's why people like to tailgate."

Sunday, just south of Raymond James Stadium, there was a festive atmosphere in parking Lot 7, as fans who had waited all year to watch the Bucs up close fired up their barbecues, threw back cold beers and sought refuge from soaring temperatures under canopies, where they discussed the team's chances.

A popular topic was how the Bucs would perform under quarterback Brian Griese, who started in place of Jeff Garcia on Sunday.

"He should be able to step in at any point," Chris Kawcak of Bradenton said of Griese.

Fans were divided about whether Garcia should have played. Kawcak said Garcia, who was benched after spraining his ankle last week, is too thin-skinned and that fans should give Griese a chance.

"I think Griese did really well," Kawcak said after the Bucs bested the Falcons 24-9.

Kawcak said he was impressed with the Bucs' defense, especially the young players stepping up and the improvement of the defensive line. But he said the team committed too many penalties on both sides of the ball.

"We can't make those mistakes against better teams," he said.

David Kolbas, of Trinity, was full of early optimism as well. He predicted the Bucs would go 10-6 - perhaps better.

"I'm expecting the playoffs," he said.

Mike Shimberg, of Tampa, was enthusiastic as well, but not any more than last year.

"You're always excited at the start of the season," he said.

Having the Super Bowl in Tampa in February might not be good for the team, though, Shimberg said. No team has ever had home field advantage at a Super Bowl.

While Shimberg and his buddies were getting ready for the Bucs game, they watched the Rays play the Yankees on TV.

Andrew Phillips, of Tampa, said he preferred football but that the Rays had captured his attention. If he has to choose between the Bucs and a Rays' playoff game next month, he'll probably go to Tropicana Field, he said.

"That's never happened in all these years," he said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or at rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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