By Tom Krasniqi

 

The Greg Schiano Era got off to a successful start Friday night in Miami.  The Buccaneers were sloppy at times and even undisciplined, but they showed flashes of brilliance in all three phases in a 20-7 win over the Dolphins in the preseason opener at Sun Life stadium. 

The Bucs starters on offense played in just one series but they made the most of it.  Quarterback Josh Freeman engineered a 13-play, 56-yard drive that took up more than 7-minutes.  The drive culminated in a LeGarrette Blount 1-yd TD leap over the pile on 4th and goal.  Freeman hooked up with WR Mike Williams on an 18-yard reception to set up the Bucs with a 1st and goal from the Miami 6-yard line.  Schiano made it clear that he wants to pound the football and they did.  Blount got the football four straight times before punching it in to give Tampa Bay a 7-0 lead.  Blount finished the night with 7 carries for 30 yards and a score. “We came out to put points on the board and the offense is just clicking”, says Blount.

The battle at running back is certainly one to watch throughout the preseason.  Rookie Doug Martin also scored on a 1-yard TD when he leaped over the top to give the Bucs a 14-0 lead in the 2nd quarter.  That score was set up by a Dan Orlovsky completion of 44-yards to WR Tiquan Underwood.  Martin finished the night with 7 carries for 21 yards and a TD.

Defensively, the first team looked good in spots but tackling remains a concern.  In addition, the defense was called for numerous off-sides penalties.  Schiano did mention that he wants to see better tackling from his defense.  On the Dolphins opening drive, the Bucs defense enabled Reggie Bush to rip off runs of 12 and 7 yards.  Miami’s drive stalled at the Bucs’ 33- yard line but Dan Carpenter misfired on a 51-yard field goal.  Gerald McCoy and Adrian Clayborn showed terrific burst off the ball.  Clayborn combined with Mason Foster to drop Dolphins RB for a 2-yard loss.  McCoy was seeing his first action since Week 5 of last season when he ruptured his biceps tendon.  “It was fun…I loved going out there with my teammates.  It’s just another practice for us, but I enjoyed it”, beamed McCoy.

The Bucs have a long way to go before they can erase last year’s dismal 4-12 season.  Even though it’s a preseason game against a lousy Dolphins team, you got the sense that this Bucs team will be much improved.  If they can improve their tackling and cut down on their mistakes, they could make things interesting in 2012.

 

 News & Notes:

  • Freeman saw just one series of work but looked good.  He finished the night completing 4 of 5 passes for 41 yards.  Freeman’s backup, Dan Orlovsky, looked extremely sharp.  Orlovsky was a perfect 8 of 8 passes for 91 yards. Bucs were 8 of 15 on 3rd down conversions.   
  • CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) was held out.  Safety Mark Barron suited up but did not play.  His toe is still sore and the team didn’t want to risk further injury.
  • Underwood continues to turn heads.  He’s been outstanding throughout camp and it has carried over to preseason play.  Underwood led the team in receiving with 3 catches for 76 yards, including a terrific 44-yards grab to set up Martin’s touchdown.  “I’m just trying to go out there, play my heart out, and earn that trust from my coaches”, says Underwood. 
  • Rookie LaVonte David had a very nice NFL debut in his hometown.  He recorded an interception in the 2nd quarter on a pass deflected by DT Amobi Okoye.  David also showing his closing speed with a very nice open-field tackle on special teams in the 2nd quarter.
  • WR Preston Parker had a rough night.  He was called for a personal foul penalty and he also muffed a punt that was recovered by the Dolphins.
  • Rookie Michael Smith’s speed was on a display Friday night.  Smith had long kick returns of 34 and 74 yards. 
  • Dolphins rookie QB Ryan Tannehill had a superb debut—14 of 21 passing for 167 yards and a TD.  Starter Matt Moore went 7 of 12 for 79 yards and was picked by David.  RB Reggie Bush had 4 carries for 17 yards.  WR Chad Johnson was targeted once in the passing game and dropped it.
  • The Bucs next preseason game is next Friday night at home against the Titans.  We’ll have coverage of that game on 620 WDAE beginning with Steve Duemig at 3pm.
  • Bucs training camp continues on Monday.  The next and last practice open to the public will take place on Tuesday from 8:45am-11:30am.  For the best Bucs coverage, keep it locked on 620 WDAE, your home of the Bucs.