By Tom Krasniqi
Another hot day here at One Buc Place as the 1-0 Buccaneers were back on the practice field today as they get ready for Sunday’s road game against the 0-1 Giants at the Meadowlands. On the injury front, running back LeGarrette Blount was back at practice today. Blount sat out practice yesterday with a neck stinger. Team officials say he visited a specialist in North Carolina and was cleared to return to action. Blount says he felt a “sharp pain” but is feeling fine now.
Right tackle Jeremy Trueblood was limited in practice today and was seen riding the bike. Head coach Greg Schiano says Trueblood twisted his ankle during Wednesday’s practice and hopes he can be ready for Sunday. Demar Dotson took reps with the first team at RT. Guard Carl Nicks did practice today on a limited basis after sitting out yesterday with a jammed toe. Nicks did not get reps with the first team but Schiano is confident he’ll play. WR Arrelious Benn(knee) and CB Anthony Gaitor(hamstring) practiced in full.
News & Notes:
- Schiano has been pleased with CB Brandon McDonald. “He’s a pro…experienced. Quick study, learning what we’re doing”.
- Schiano says CB E.J. Biggers is progressing each day and is not ruled out for Sunday. Biggers is coming off a broken foot in training camp and was limited in practice on Thursday.
- I asked Bucs QB Josh Freeman about the need for a short to intermediate passing game to negate the Giants’ pass rush. “I just know that our game plan has three-step, five-step and seven-step drops in it…We have ways of trying to limit their effect on the game”. Hmmmm interesting. Look for the Bucs to utilize quick slants and screen passes to negate the Giants’ pass rush. The Cowboys did the same thing against the Giants in Week 1.
- On the Giants injury front, WR Hakeem Nicks was limited today in practice with a sore foot. He’s optimistic about playing this week. CB Prince Amukamara(ankle), CB Michael Coe (hamstring) and C David Baas(hip) were limited in practice.
