By Tom Krasniqi

 

It was that kind of night from Landover, Maryland.  Brett Ratliff was starting at quarterback.  Mike Smith was the starting tailback.  These were not your father’s Buccaneers out there for the final preseason game on Wednesday night against the Redskins.  Hell, they weren’t even your in-laws’ Bucs. 

The first half was tough to watch if you’re a Bucs fan.  With 2nd and 3rd stringers playing the whole way, there were plenty of mistakes.  The offensive line did a poor job of run blocking as well as pass protection.  Ratliff did not have much time to throw as he was sacked 5 times in the first half.  Starting guards Desmond Wynn and Jamon Meredith did not help their cause with their play but they weren’t alone.  The line could not open holes for Smith and Mossis Madu.  The Bucs had just 3 yards rushing in the first half and Ratliff was 7 for 11 for 70 yards and an interception.  Bucs trailed 16-0 at the half.

Things did not get better in the second half.  Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins was picked off by Bucs safety Sean Baker.  But Ratliff gave it right back when he tried to hit Tiquan Underwood deep and the pass was picked off by Richard Crawford.  Cousins had a 48-yard completion to Brandon Banks and that set up a 15-yard TD run by Roy Helu to make it 23-0 Washington.  Helu had two touchdowns on the night as the Bucs gave up 228 yards rushing and 459 total yards. 

It’s difficult to draw conclusions from the final preseason game where the backups played the whole way.  However, there is growing concern about the lack of depth on this team and that will have to be addressed in the coming days.  All NFL teams must get down to the 53-man roster limit by 9pm on Friday.  The Bucs finish up the preseason at 2-2 while the Redskins wrap up exhibition play with a 3-1 record.

 

News & Notes:

  • There were few positives in this one but safety Sean Baker was certainly one of them.  Baker recorded two interceptions and a fumble recovery.  He remains on the bubble but he’s certainly a practice squad candidate. 
  • WR Tiquan Underwood made a good impression against the Redskins with 6 catches for 82 yards.  He’s fighting for one of those last WR spots along with Jordan Shipley and Sammie Stroughter.  Stroughter had 2 receptions for 30 yards while Shipley had just one catch for 12 yards.
  • P/K Kai Forbath nailed a 43-yard FG and averaged nearly 46 yards per punt.  There won’t be room on the Bucs roster but Forbath will likely find a job elsewhere. 
  • Bucs GM Mark Dominik said during the TV broadcast that WR Arrelious Benn will practice with the team next week.  That’s a clear signal that Benn will make the team even though he missed the entire preseason with a knee injury.
  • The Bucs have been in contact with free agent TE Chris Cooley, but Dominik says they have no serious interest at this time. 
  • Dominik says he’s “been on the phone all day Wednesday” with other GMs around the league in talking about possible trades.  The team has serious depth issues, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. 
  • The Bucs open the regular season on September 9 at home against the Carolina Panthers.  You can catch all the action on 620 WDAE, your home of the Bucs.