NFL Preseason Preview - Jacksonville (1-1) At Tampa Bay (2-0)
POSTED: 12:03 pm PDT August 21,
2008
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to keep their positive preseason momentum rolling on Saturday night, when Jon Gruden's team welcomes the Jacksonville Jaguars to town in the third preseason tilt for both squads. The Bucs have begun their preseason slate by downing the Dolphins (17-6) and Patriots (27-10), and have done so minus the services of key starters such as quarterback Jeff Garcia (calf) and wide receiver Joey Galloway (groin). Garcia and Galloway are both considered questionable for this week. Buccaneers fans should be particularly interested to watch the play of their offensive line on Saturday night, given the tumultuous week the club had in that area during the week leading up to the game. The club parted ways with tackle Luke Petitgout early in the week, with a steroid-related suspension that was announced shortly thereafter likely impacting the team's decision to cut the ex-Giant. Petitgout played just four games with the Bucs last season due to a knee injury. Then, on Wednesday, it was revealed that right guard Davin Joseph would be lost for at least a month with a broken foot suffered against the Patriots last Sunday night. Joseph, a former No. 1 draft pick of the Bucs, was a 16- game starter for the team a year ago. Rookie Jeremy Zuttah, a third-round Draft pick out of Rutgers, is likely to start in Joseph's place on Saturday. Jacksonville has less drama heading into its third preseason tilt, but would like to look better than it did in last week's 19-14 loss to the Dolphins last Saturday. The Jaguars were shut out for the first three quarters of that contest, with running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor combining for just 19 yards on nine combined carries for the game. Wide receivers Reggie Williams (knee) and Jerry Porter (hamstring) are among the Jaguars who are not expected to be available against the Buccaneers, though defensive end Reggie Hayward (hamstring) could make his 2008 preseason debut on Saturday. Jaguars rookie defensive end Derrick Harvey, the last remaining first-round holdout in the NFL, is not expected to be in attendance at Raymond James Stadium. The Jaguars lead the all-time preseason series with the Buccaneers, 4-2, including a 31-19 home victory prior to last season. Jacksonville and Tampa Bay also met in the 2007 regular season, with the Jags scoring a 24-23 victory at Raymond James Stadium last Oct. 28.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.







