In The Trenches The loss of Davin Joseph to a broken right foot means the Bucs almost certainly will start the season with rookie Jeremy Zuttah at right guard. Zuttah gets his first taste of life as an NFL starter tonight, and he definitely bears watching. Zuttah played mostly tackle last year at Rutgers and is still learning the guard position. He hasn't played like a newcomer in camp workouts or preseason practices, but he is going against a couple of strong veterans in John Henderson and Rob Meier tonight. If the Bucs can move the ball and protect the passer the way they did when Joseph was healthy, it will be a good indication they can weather the storm without Joseph. It's too much to ask Zuttah to consistently play at the level Joseph did, but the line as a whole must remain a strength for the Bucs to be viable playoff contenders. If the Bucs can push around the Jaguars the way they did the Dolphins and Patriots, it will boost confidence. ...more

August 23, 2008