Bucs-Eagles key matchups

Eagles QB Michael Vick vs. Bucs LBs Geno Hayes and Quincy Black

Vick is listed as a quarterback on the Eagles' roster, but we all know he's a lot more than that. Though he's obviously a threat to throw the ball, Vick also can work as a running back and maybe even a pass catcher.

With a week off to work Vick into their system, the Eagles are expected to give the Bucs a heavy dose of their most notable newcomer, so Tampa Bay has to be prepared for whatever it is Vick brings.

That won't be easy, because there's virtually no film to work off of. As a result, the Bucs will have to play this one by ear a little bit. One thing they can and probably should do, though, is put a spy on Vick on every play.

Any such spy would have to be very athletic and would have to play inside the box. The two most obvious candidates for the job are outside linebackers Geno Hayes and Quincy Black.

Hayes and Black have very good speed and athleticism and should be able to hang with Vick. No one or two men can stop Vick all by themselves, though, so Hayes and Black will need plenty of help today.

If the Bucs can continue to improve as gang tacklers, they should be able to neutralize Vick. At the very least they should be able to keep him from making the kind of big play that can cripple them.

Bucs CB Aqib Talib vs. Eagles WR DeSean Jackson

Jackson is not the Eagles' leading receiver. He's not even their best receiver. He is, however, their most dangerous receiver. As such, he will constantly draw coverage today from Talib.

Talib is proving to be just what the Bucs thought when they spent their first-round pick on him last year. He's a good press corner with good speed and playmaking ability, but he'll have his work cut out for him today.

Because of his small stature, incredible speed and ability to make a play against any cornerback, Jackson already is drawing comparisons to Panthers wideout Steve Smith.

Jackson isn't quite in Smith's class, but Talib has to respect his speed. He also has to follow the principles of bump-and-run coverage and be sure to consistently bump Jackson at the line.

If Talib can knock Jackson off his routes and disrupt the timing of the Eagles' pass plays, the Bucs will greatly reduce the chances of Jackson making a big play against them.

And if the Bucs can lessen the chances of Jackson making a big play against them, they can increase their chances of pulling off what would surely be a monumental upset.

Bucs QB Josh Johnson vs. His Confidence

Johnson is very smart and very savvy for his age and experience level, and he has a very good grasp of what it is he needs to do to make plays, move the chains and produce points.

That said, he was a little hesitant to take chances with throws downfield in his first start against Washington last week. He needs to get over that in a hurry.

Like the Bucs, the Eagles are a team in flux on defense. Their long-time coordinator - Jim Johnson - passed away from cancer earlier this year and so the Eagles have become a little vulnerable on that side of the ball.

One thing that hasn't changed in Philadelphia is the desire to blitz. The Eagles will bring it in an effort to rattle Johnson, so he has to be ready for that. He also must be ready to take some shots when the opportunities arise.

The Eagles are sure to fill up the box with run stoppers and dare Johnson to throw today. He has to have the confidence necessary to make plays downfield when that happens. If he does, the Bucs could surprise Philadelphia and the world.