By Tom Krasniqi
The 4-4 Bucs continue their preparations Thursday as they get ready for Sunday’s home game against the 4-4 Chargers at Raymond James Stadium. On the injury report for the Bucs, WR Arrelious Benn (shoulder) and FS Cody Grimm (hamstring) did not practice again today. The good news was that TE Luke Stocker (shoulder) and DE Michael Bennett (shoulder) both returned to a full practice. CB Eric Wright (Achilles) was a full participant at practice.
For the Chargers, LB Antwan Barnes (hamstring), LT Jared Gaither (groin), and DE Cory Liuget (hamstring) all sat out practice. LB Shaun Phillips (finger) was added to the injury report as a limited participant in practice. Wideouts Robert Meachum (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (hamstring) both practiced fully.
News & Notes:
- Funny moment during head coach Greg Schiano’s press conference. Schiano was asked about a Sporting News poll of 103 NFL players which named him as the coach that players least likely wanted to play for. Schiano says the only players he cared about were his own but if he found out they voted, he would “ship them off to Buffalo or something”.
- Bucs announced that Sunday’s game will be blacked out locally. The only game that hasn’t been blacked out this season was the Saints game. Team is optimistic about selling out the Eagles game next month.
- Bucs QB Josh Freeman says as he gets more comfortable in the offense, his confidence is starting to soar: “I am a more confident quarterback than I’ve ever been”. The numbers certainly show. Over the last four games, Freeman has 11 TDs and just one pick.
- Freeman says he’s been teasing Doug Martin about the “muscle hamster” nickname which Martin received at Boise State. Martin hates that nickname so Freeman says he’s come up with another nickname: Doug E Fresh.
- The only place to catch live play-by-play coverage of the Bucs-Chargers game this Sunday on 620 WDAE, your home of the Bucs. Our pre-game coverage begins at 9am.
