Week 7 Preview

Meet the Buccaneers

Tampa Bay may enter the weekend with a poor 1-4 mark, but the team they put on the field will be far better than that record indicates. The Bucs’ last three games have been decided by 6 points – combined. Last week, they earned their first win in an impressive 14-13 effort against Cincinnati. The theme of Tampa’s season has been adjustment, and lots of it. Most notable was quarterback Chris Simms’s emergency splenectomy that has kept him out of action for two weeks. In his place, rookie Bruce Gradkowski has done an admirable job filling in, with 4 touchdowns and only 1 interception, and most importantly, 1 win. Coach Jon Gruden has been mixing and matching his offensive linemen each week to find the best possible combination, and the numbers tell the story: after being held to a paltry 28 yards on the ground in week one, Carnell “Cadillac” Williams and company have improved each week, topping 100 yards in the last two contests.

 The Eagles and Buccaneers developed an intense rivalry around the turn of the century, facing off six times between 2000 and 2003, three of which were playoff games. Though the Eagles won the first four of these meetings, it was the Bucs who had the last laugh, knocking off Philadelphia (and ending the Eagles’ stay at the Vet) in the 2003 NFC Championship en route to a Super Bowl victory and then coming right back and spoiling the opening of the Linc with a 17-0 shutout. Since then, however, many familiar faces have departed Tampa: Brad Johnson, Warrick Dunn, and Warren Sapp, among others, are all long gone and the Bucs have lost much of their luster.

The Buccaneers have lost some luster on Defense but still have some guys on that team capable of making plays and shutting out opposing offenses. Last week, the defense led by LB Derrick Brooks, CB Ronde Barber, and DE Simeon Rice held the high powered Cincinnati Bengals to only one TD. These guys are getting older, but do not let that fool you. These guys are good, they can play the game, and they are hungry to build momentum and turn their season around.

On offense, the Bucs have several weapons utilized by Gradkowski to help them spread the ball around. Their running game is completely dominated by Cadillac Williams who continues to improve and make plays when they need it. Also on offense is aging WR Joey Galloway who was acquired via trade a few years ago for Keyshaun Johnson from the Cowboys. Galloway is 35 and 5ft 11, but he has great leaping and playmaking ability. Also at WR is the tall and physical Michael Clayton who plays a game similar to the Giants’ Plaxico Burress. Clayton has both speed and height, two things that gives secondaries nightmares. 

What to watch for on Sunday

The injury bug has really taken its toll on the Eagles so far this year. Right now, Donte Stallworth is listed as questionable with his hamstring and is a game day decision. Also, Roderick Hood remains out with his foot injury and Darren Howard will also be a game time decision as he is nursing a sore groin. The Eagles have 10 players listed as probable and will be looking to keep it so that no more injuries are added to what is a very long list. The Eagles have also decided to platoon Michael Lewis and Sean Considine at SS. Lewis has been struggling since Week 1 and the Eagles hope this move helps Lewis get back on his game and help them get a better look at Considine. Lastly, this is an important game for the Eagles because a victory would keep them in first place. Right now the Giants and the Cowboys are tied for second at 3-2 and an Eagles loss would put them in second. It’s only week 7, but this game could have big implications for the Eagles.

When the Eagles have the ball

 Look for McNabb to air it out against the Buccaneers defense regardless of the status of Brian Westbrook. Westbrook is still questionable and has not really done much the past two weeks. Westbrook will be looking for a better and more productive game. As far as McNabb, he has done an outstanding job with passing plays for over 20 yards. The Bucs have been consistently giving up over 200+ yards through the air so look for McNabb to try and exploit that. Also, Bucs CB Brian Kelly is listed as questionable which will also work to the benefit of the Birds.

A big concern here is the health of tackle William Thomas (back spasms). If he is not ready to go or is bothered during the game, 2^nd round pick, rookie Winston Justice out of USC will see his first NFL action in an Eagles uniform. Justice would certainly have his hands full going against Simeon Rice, who at age 32 is still one of the game’s premier defensive ends and contends for the sack title on a yearly basis. Thomas has been somewhat of a liability so far, but he does have experience battling elite linemen. Justice would face a true trial by fire and put extra pressure on McNabb to get rid of the ball.

The Buccaneers defense has been inconsistent but still has many players making plays. There is the notorious Eagle killer Ronde Barber at CB as well as the aforementioned Simeon Rice. Also at CB, the Bucs have a proven stud in Phillip Buchanan. The secondary for Tampa Bay has been their weakness so look for the Eagles to try and get the TEs and WRs into the secondary.

 When the Buccaneers have the ball

Bucs spread the ball to lots of receivers, including rbs   Galloway leads the way  Eagles are 27^th in passing d

 Following the removal of his spleen, QB Chris Simms had to hand over the controls at QB to rookie Bruce Gradkowski out of Toledo. Gradkowski may be a rookie, but he has done a fine job for the team and is certainly capable of getting the ball to his receivers and versatile running back Cadillac Williams. The Eagles have had an inconsistent defense this year and will be looking to forge an identity for themselves against the Buccaneers’ weapons of Williams and WRs Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton. If that doesn’t work, the Bucs could also throw to Ike Hilliard. The Eagles are 27^th in passing defense and really need to improve. Clayton is 6ft 3 and will be going up against several small CBs in the Eagles secondary. CB Sheldon Brown had a rough time against a similar player in the Giants’ Plaxico Burress. Clayton will be a good test to see if Brown has learned his lesson on how to cover the tall receivers.

The Eagles will almost certainly be blitzing Gradkowski quite frequently because he is, after all a rookie. There is also a good chance the Bucs have two rookies on the offensive line in this game. Head coach of the Bucs John Gruden is the former offensive coordinator for the Eagles and knows a lot about strategy. He will try to catch a blitzing Eagles defense off guard by throwing either screen passes or quick slants. Look for the Bucs to be running Cadillac frequently with appearances by aging FB Mike Allstott in goal line situations. As has been the case in weeks prior, the pass rush is crucial to the Eagles winning this game. The defense has been working hard following last week’s loss to the Saints and will be looking to answer the critics. 

Special Teams

It is important for the Eagles’ defense to keep Tampa out of the red zone because of Bucs kicker Matt Bryant. Gruden should not have much confidence in his kicker; he is just 2-5 on field goals, with his good attempts coming from inside 30 yards. If Bryant misses more long field goals, the Eagles will find some excellent starting field positions. The Buccaneers might also feature a new punt returner. For the Eagles, KR Dexter Wynn has got to put last week’s bad game behind him and move on. Dexter has got to work hard to find the holes and give his team good starting positions while not muffing the kickoffs or punts. K David Akers seems to have hit his stride and returned to being the reliable kicker he’s always been.

 Prediction: Eagles 28      Buccaneers  14