[296] Bucs starters make an appearance in the last preseason game

Buccaneers Observer

We finally got a taste of what the Buccaneers will look like this upcoming season, with both the starting offense and defense making their debuts. It was a welcome relief from the sub-par football we've seen from the depth guys. The Buccaneers offense drove down the field, putting three points on the board. The defense was maybe more impressive, holding Matt Ryan and the Colts offense to punts the first two drives. The rest of the game was not as impressive. Once again, the wide receivers who need to have a good showing in a crowded room underperformed, particularly Scotty Miller. Special teams may have been a bigger disaster, with missed tackles and confusion galore. The Colts had great field position the whole game. Our returners couldn't get blocks to help them out of our redzone. Molly's theory: this is the first draft class post-Covid. It's a mess, as expected. Thankfully, our starters are head and shoulders above. They just need to stay healthy. C Robert Hainsey suffered an ankle injury during the game, but it is not expected to be longterm. In addition, his replacement Nick Leverett suffered a shoulder injury. That injury is also not expected to keep him out long. Our division rival the Carolina Panthers have also suffered several injuries, including backup quarterback Sam Darnold and kicker Zane Gonzales. The Buccaneers have begun cuts in advance of the league's August 30 deadline. The first casualties: WR Jerrith Sterns, OLB Andre Anthony and CB Kyler McMichael.

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