By Tom Krasniqi

 

It will be a special atmosphere on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium when the 6-6 Bucs take on the struggling 3-9 Eagles.   Both teams are desperate for a win.  The Bucs have dropped two in a row and are trying to stay in the playoff race.  Meanwhile, Andy Reid’s Eagles have lost 8 straight.  The Bucs will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2002 team that won the franchise’s only Super Bowl.  

Here’s the Bucs injury report:  DT Roy Miller (head) was back practicing on Friday but is cautious about his chances of playing Sunday.  Miller is listed as questionable.  If Miller can’t go, Gary Gibson would get the start at NT.  CB LeQuan Lewis (knee) is out this week.  WR Vincent Jackson (calf) and RB D.J. Ware (illness) are both probable.

Notable injuries for the Eagles: QB Michael Vick and RB LeSean McCoy are both out with concussions.  S Kurt Coleman (chest) and DT Mike Patterson (illness) are also out.  CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee), S Nate Allen (shoulder) and LB Mychal Kendricks (shoulder) are probable.

News & Notes:

  • Bucs head coach Greg Schiano was asked on Friday about his idea to eliminate kickoffs.  It was mentioned in a TIME magazine story on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  While at Rutgers, Schiano approached Goodell about it.  Schiano came up with the idea after the career-ending injury suffered by Eric LeGrand on a kickoff return while at Rutgers.  Under Schiano’s proposal, when a team scores a touchdown or field goal, it would retain possession at their own 30-yard line, facing a 4th and 15.  They would then have the option to go for it, or punt it away.  In essence, the punt would replace the kickoff.  The goal is to eliminate serious injuries stemming from kickoffs.   
  • Bucs activated CB Anthony Gaitor from the injured reserved/designated for return list.  He will make his season debut Sunday.
  • Bucs LT Donald Penn isn’t taking the slumping Eagles lightly: “On film, they look like a 12-0 team”.  He must have been watching film from the ’84 Niners.
  • With opposing defenses stacking the box against Doug Martin, look for the Bucs to come out throwing against the Eagles.  Bucs WR Vincent Jackson: “We like to be aggressive….we’re going to take some shots”.
  • With LeQuan Lewis out, the Bucs are trying to figure out who will return kicks on Sunday.  As of Friday, Schiano says he’s undecided.  Chris Owusu, Tiquan Underwood and Roscoe Parrish are the logical candidates.  Some fans are clamoring for Michael Smith, but he won’t be the guy unless the Bucs decide not to dress LeGarrette Blount.
  • Catch the Bucs-Eagles game this Sunday on 620 WDAE, your home of the Bucs.  Our pre-game coverage begins at 9am.