Eagles-Buccaneers scouting report

October 09, 2009|by Paul Domowitch

Recent history: The Bucs stunned the Eagles on Oct. 22, 2006, 23-21, on a 62-year field goal by Matt Bryant at the gun. The all-time series is tied, 7-7.

 

OFFENSE

 

Buccaneers: 279.5 yards a game (27th)

 

Quarterback

 

Bucs: Coach Raheem Morris benched Byron Leftwich, skipped over first-round pick Josh Freeman and has turned, at least for the moment, to second-year man Josh Johnson. So far, Johnson, who has sub-4.5 speed, has done more damage with his legs (7.0 yards per carry) than his arm (4.44 yards per attempt).

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PICK: EAGLES

 

Running back

 

Bucs: Cadillac Williams is coming off yet another serious knee injury, but is averaging 5.0 yards a carry. He had 77 yards on 16 carries last week vs. Redskins. Free agent Derrick Ward, who is supposed to be rotating with Williams, is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and missed the Washington game (knee).

PICK: EAGLES

 

Receiver

 

Bucs: Bucs QBs haven't stretched the field much. They're averaging just 5.26 yards per attempt. WRs Mark Clayton and Antonio Bryant have combined for just 14 catches. TE Kellen Winslow is Bucs' primary go-to guy, but he's got just five catches in the last two games.

PICK: EAGLES

 

Offensive line

 

Bucs: This was supposed to be one of the Bucs' strengths. But C Jeff Faine has been out since Week 1 with a triceps injury and LG Arron Sears is on the non-football injury list for personal issues. A line that supposedly was built to run the football has been ill-equipped for the amount of pass-blocking it has had to do.

PICK: EAGLES

 

DEFENSE

 

Buccaneers: 393.5 yards a game (31st)

 

Defensive line

 

Bucs: The Bucs don't have a lineman who ever has had more than 6 1/2 sacks in a season. Head coach Raheem Morris thinks former first-round pick Gaines Adams has double-digit sack potential, but he has yet to show it. Bucs have given up 125 or more rushing yards in three of their first four games.

PICK: EAGLES

 

Linebacker

 

Bucs: The Bucs opted not to re-sign 12-time Pro Bowl WLB Derrick Brooks. They brought in free agent Angelo Crowell to replace him, but he suffered a season-ending bicep injury in August. Barrett Ruud is a solid, always-around-the-ball MLB. SLB Quincy Black is an effective edge rusher.

PICK: EAGLES

 

Secondary

 

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