Bucs @ Panthers Game News

Just a round up of some of the key stories affecting tomorrows game in Charlotte.

Buccaneers:

The Bucs seem fairly healthy at the moment but there are a few injuries that the team have been carrying for a few weeks

The big worry for the Bucs is over the fitness of WR, Ike Hilliard who is struggling with an ankle sprain. It’s likely that if Hilliard can’t go Michael Clayton will step up to the #2 WR spot and Maurice Stovall to the #3 WR spot.

Greg Spires, Patrick Chukwurah and cornerback Brian Kelly are all listed as questionable. Spires, like Hilliard is struggling with an ankle injury and has been limited in practice for much of the week. Brian Kelly has a groin strain and will also be a game time decision.

Panthers:

The big story is the status of Jake Delhomme. Delhomme missed his 3rd straight practice and seems to be a game time decision, if he fails to make it David Carr will step in.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback walked off the field after missing his third straight day of practice Friday, stopped in front of a group of reporters, and answered the question before it was asked. “I don’t know,” Delhomme said of whether he’ll play against Tampa Bay. “I’m holding out hope. A couple of years ago I broke my thumb and I didn’t take a snap until Saturday morning. “I’m feeling better. I’m gripping the ball and it feels pretty good. We’re just trying to rest it right now.” Delhomme, who said he hasn’t tried to throw since being injured in the third quarter of Carolina’s win Sunday over Atlanta, was listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report Friday. – From NFL.com

Other injury worries for the Panthers include mike linebacker Dan Morgan who missed parts of the game against the Falcons with hamstring and ankle injuries.

Sabby Piscitelli headed to IR

One piece of news that I somehow missed that was that Sabby Piscitelli has been placed on IR. Piscitelli suffered a fractured foot during a kick return in Sundays game against the Rams. I had high hopes that Piscitelli would have made one of the starting safety positions his own at some point during the season and forge a partnership with Tanard Jackson. Piscitelli was unable to unseat Jermaine Phillips for the starting role but Piscitelli had started to shine on special teams. The drafting of Piscitelli also had an effect on Phillips who is playing like a man in fear of losing his starting job and has been one of the performers of the season so far for the Bucs. It’s a tough break on Piscitelli, and I hope that Phillips continues to play at a high level now his main competition won’t see the field for the rest of the season.

Piscitelli on the field for OSU, sadly he won’t see the field anymore this season for the Bucs.

Week 4 Preview – Tampa Bay at Carolina

It’s a divisional matchup this week when the Bucs head to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers. It’s also a top of the NFC South with both teams sporting a 2-1 record. The Bucs will be looking to build on the past two excellent defensive performances that saw them beat fancied opposition in the Saints and Rams. This game starts a tough 3 game stretch where the Bucs face the Panthers and Colts on the road and then return to the Ray Jay to face Vince Young and his Titans. Like last week this fixture looks tough on paper but if the Bucs can win a few key matchups then the game is theirs for the taking.

The Bucs face one of the premier DE’s in the league this weekend.

Bucs Ease Past Rams

The Bucs sprang their second surprise win with another excellent defensive effort backed up by an efficient offensive display – remind you of Bucs teams of the past ?

It’s hard to comment fully on this game, as unlike last week the game wasn’t shown in the UK and it takes two weeks for my supplier in the US to get me the game DVD’s.

The Bucs pulled away in the 3rd and 4th quarter thanks to 2 TD’s from Earnest Graham but the foundations of the win were set by the defence, led again by an outstanding Barrett Ruud. In my preview I thought that the Bucs would have to limit the gains of Steven Jackson to make this a close contest, however Jackson rushed for 115 yards and the Bucs still won. Key interceptions by Jermaine Phillips, Philip Buchanon and man of the moment Barrett Ruud stopped Rams drives. Derrick Brooks not to be outdone by his LB colleague had a force fumble and the Bucs won the turnover battle 4-0. Another player to step up was Earnest Graham who iced the game with 2 late rushing TD’s. Graham has always been seen as an August star (one who shines in preseason and is never seen again) but is this the game where he stakes a claim as a viable backup and more than just a good contributor on Special Teams.

Graham Scored his first NFL TD on Sunday

A note of concern must be the lack of production in the run game. OK Graham ran for 75 yards on 8 carries but that was against a severely tired and beat up Rams defence. I know Cadillac is still nursing some ribs but sooner or later the passing game could struggle and we are going to need a run game to rely on

The Bucs move onto 2-1 level at the top of the division with the Panthers, the teams face off this Sunday in Carolina.