thedenverchannel.com
NFL

NFL


NFL Preseason Preview - Jacksonville (1-1) At Tampa Bay (2-0)

POSTED: 1:03 pm MDT August 21, 2008

(Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to keep their positive preseason momentum rolling on Saturday night, when Jon Gruden's team welcomes the Jacksonville Jaguars to town in the third preseason tilt for both squads.

The Bucs have begun their preseason slate by downing the Dolphins (17-6) and Patriots (27-10), and have done so minus the services of key starters such as quarterback Jeff Garcia (calf) and wide receiver Joey Galloway (groin).

Garcia and Galloway are both considered questionable for this week.

Buccaneers fans should be particularly interested to watch the play of their offensive line on Saturday night, given the tumultuous week the club had in that area during the week leading up to the game.

The club parted ways with tackle Luke Petitgout early in the week, with a steroid-related suspension that was announced shortly thereafter likely impacting the team's decision to cut the ex-Giant. Petitgout played just four games with the Bucs last season due to a knee injury.

Then, on Wednesday, it was revealed that right guard Davin Joseph would be lost for at least a month with a broken foot suffered against the Patriots last Sunday night. Joseph, a former No. 1 draft pick of the Bucs, was a 16- game starter for the team a year ago.

Rookie Jeremy Zuttah, a third-round Draft pick out of Rutgers, is likely to start in Joseph's place on Saturday.

Jacksonville has less drama heading into its third preseason tilt, but would like to look better than it did in last week's 19-14 loss to the Dolphins last Saturday. The Jaguars were shut out for the first three quarters of that contest, with running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor combining for just 19 yards on nine combined carries for the game.

Wide receivers Reggie Williams (knee) and Jerry Porter (hamstring) are among the Jaguars who are not expected to be available against the Buccaneers, though defensive end Reggie Hayward (hamstring) could make his 2008 preseason debut on Saturday.

Jaguars rookie defensive end Derrick Harvey, the last remaining first-round holdout in the NFL, is not expected to be in attendance at Raymond James Stadium.

The Jaguars lead the all-time preseason series with the Buccaneers, 4-2, including a 31-19 home victory prior to last season.

Jacksonville and Tampa Bay also met in the 2007 regular season, with the Jags scoring a 24-23 victory at Raymond James Stadium last Oct. 28.


Extras

Teams from around the league compete in Week 13 of the NFL season. More


While NFL teams compete on the field, these cheerleaders entertain the fans from the sidelines. More


Take a glimpse at the 2008 NFL draft, from the fans to the players. More


Plaxico Burress
The New England Patriots and New York Giants compete in Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz. More


Test your playbook knowledge with this game. More


Sports E-News

Sign up to receive daily sports headlines.
 


Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Everyone needs iron in their diet. Find out which foods are the best sources. Some of them might surprise you! More

There are several mistakes many people make when getting a mortgage plan. Be sure you stay ahead of the game and avoid the pitfalls that come with a mortgage. More

They say clothes make the man, and while that isn’t totally true, it does have an impact in the workplace. More

Curious about what homes near you are in foreclosure? Want to be notified when a home goes tax forfeit so you can consider an investment? Go here. More


Don’t be left out. Make the switch to Digital TV.

Sponsored Links