ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Buccaneers vs. Panthers Friday, November 26, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Buccaneers and Panthers. Now they're back with
a second look.
One of the reasons Carolina's run defense has been dismal is rookie CB
Chris Gamble and second-year FS Colin Branch aren't good tacklers. Neither
is a big hitter and both have consistently failed to wrap up ball carriers
up on the perimeter.
If the Panthers are to keep RB Michael Pittman under wraps, Gamble and
Branch must do a good job of forcing him back inside where the pursuit
should be in position to make the play. They can do this by attacking the
outside shoulder of blockers, which will help prevent Pittman from getting
to the edge.
Since Todd Fordham replaced Matt Willig as the Panthers' right
tackle, the offensive line has played much better. Fordham lacks ideal
athleticism but he still moves better than Willig and hasn't needed as
much help in pass protection. In addition, Fordham is a better run blocker
than Willig.
It appears that the Buccaneers are taking advantage of RB Earnest Graham's
versatility more and more as the season progresses. Graham, who possesses
a nice combination of speed and power, is capable of playing both the
fullback and tailback positions in head coach Jon Gruden's scheme. He is a
reliable receiver out of the backfield and can be an effective blocker.
While Graham may never be anything more than a change-of-pace third-down
back, he plays that role well.
One reason the Panthers have won two straight games has been their ability
to pressure the opposing quarterback and generate turnovers. Carolina
registered a combined nine sacks and nine turnovers against San Francisco
and Arizona.
The biggest challenge for Tampa Bay will be protecting the edges and
neutralizing LDE Julius Peppers and RDE Mike Rucker. OTs Derrick Deese and
Kenyatta Walker are big and physical but they lack the quickness and range
to hold up against Carolina's defensive ends on islands. As a result,
Pittman, Graham, FB Mike Alstott and TE Ken Dilger will all need to help
out in pass protection this week.
Carolina QB Jake Delhomme played with a painful broken thumb last week and
managed to complete 12 of his 25 passes for 157 yards and two scores. It
is, however, important to note that he wasn't as sharp as normal and his
throws seemed to lack velocity.
While Delhomme was able to get away with it last week, he won't be
afforded those same luxuries working against Tampa Bay's version of the
cover-2. In order to consistently move the Panthers' offense downfield
Delhomme will need to feel comfortable firing the ball into tight places
and his grip will have a big impact on the zip he gets on his passes.
Although Panthers RB Nick Goings deserves most of the credit for his
career-best performance last week, some of the recognition should go to FB
Casey Cramer. Cramer, who was signed off Tennessee's practice squad
earlier in the week, saw about 15 plays as a lead blocker and helped
create space for Goings between the tackles. If FB Brad Hoover continues
to miss time, the Panthers now know that Cramer is a capable backup.
Considering the rash of injuries Tampa Bay has suffered at defensive
tackle it was particularly impressive to watch the Buccaneers dominate the
line of scrimmage last week. With Anthony McFarland, Ellis Wyms and Damian
Gregory all on injured reserve, converted DEs Chidi Ahanotu and Dewayne
White have been forced to hold down the fort on the inside.
The Buccaneers like to attack off the edge using CBs Ronde Barber
and Brian Kelly as extra pass rushers who come from depth. The two have
combined for three sacks this season. Barber seems to have the instinctive
feel and overall timing down of knowing when to blitz. With that in mind,
Delhomme must identify Barber on his way to the line of scrimmage and make
sure to glance his way before the snap of the ball. If he fails to do so,
Barber could sneak under the radar and provide some big plays.
Tampa Bay WR Joey Galloway is making more of a contribution each week and
seems nearly recovered from the groin tear he suffered in the season
opener. With a healthy Galloway in the lineup, the Buccaneers' passing
game will be able to stretch the field more effectively. That should open
up the short-to-intermediate passing game for Joe Jurevicius and Michael
Clayton.
Special Teams
Buccaneers PK Martin Gramatica failed to attempt a field goal last week,
but he connected on all five of his extra point tries and booted four of
six kickoffs out of the end zone. While his overall consistency is still
in question, these are both promising signs for a kicking game that has
struggled this season. It will be interesting to see how much confidence
Gruden shows in him if this game comes down to a late field goal attempt.
Carolina PK John Kasay is still listed as questionable after injuring his
calf muscle two weekends ago against San Francisco. Kasay's replacement,
Jeff Chandler, connected on all five of his extra point tries last week
but he has yet to attempt a single field goal since joining the Panthers.
Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Panthers 20
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Buccaneers and Panthers. Now they're back with
a second look.
One of the reasons Carolina's run defense has been dismal is rookie CB
Chris Gamble and second-year FS Colin Branch aren't good tacklers. Neither
is a big hitter and both have consistently failed to wrap up ball carriers
up on the perimeter.
If the Panthers are to keep RB Michael Pittman under wraps, Gamble and
Branch must do a good job of forcing him back inside where the pursuit
should be in position to make the play. They can do this by attacking the
outside shoulder of blockers, which will help prevent Pittman from getting
to the edge.
Since Todd Fordham replaced Matt Willig as the Panthers' right
tackle, the offensive line has played much better. Fordham lacks ideal
athleticism but he still moves better than Willig and hasn't needed as
much help in pass protection. In addition, Fordham is a better run blocker
than Willig.
It appears that the Buccaneers are taking advantage of RB Earnest Graham's
versatility more and more as the season progresses. Graham, who possesses
a nice combination of speed and power, is capable of playing both the
fullback and tailback positions in head coach Jon Gruden's scheme. He is a
reliable receiver out of the backfield and can be an effective blocker.
While Graham may never be anything more than a change-of-pace third-down
back, he plays that role well.
One reason the Panthers have won two straight games has been their ability
to pressure the opposing quarterback and generate turnovers. Carolina
registered a combined nine sacks and nine turnovers against San Francisco
and Arizona.
The biggest challenge for Tampa Bay will be protecting the edges and
neutralizing LDE Julius Peppers and RDE Mike Rucker. OTs Derrick Deese and
Kenyatta Walker are big and physical but they lack the quickness and range
to hold up against Carolina's defensive ends on islands. As a result,
Pittman, Graham, FB Mike Alstott and TE Ken Dilger will all need to help
out in pass protection this week.
Carolina QB Jake Delhomme played with a painful broken thumb last week and
managed to complete 12 of his 25 passes for 157 yards and two scores. It
is, however, important to note that he wasn't as sharp as normal and his
throws seemed to lack velocity.
While Delhomme was able to get away with it last week, he won't be
afforded those same luxuries working against Tampa Bay's version of the
cover-2. In order to consistently move the Panthers' offense downfield
Delhomme will need to feel comfortable firing the ball into tight places
and his grip will have a big impact on the zip he gets on his passes.
Although Panthers RB Nick Goings deserves most of the credit for his
career-best performance last week, some of the recognition should go to FB
Casey Cramer. Cramer, who was signed off Tennessee's practice squad
earlier in the week, saw about 15 plays as a lead blocker and helped
create space for Goings between the tackles. If FB Brad Hoover continues
to miss time, the Panthers now know that Cramer is a capable backup.
Considering the rash of injuries Tampa Bay has suffered at defensive
tackle it was particularly impressive to watch the Buccaneers dominate the
line of scrimmage last week. With Anthony McFarland, Ellis Wyms and Damian
Gregory all on injured reserve, converted DEs Chidi Ahanotu and Dewayne
White have been forced to hold down the fort on the inside.
The Buccaneers like to attack off the edge using CBs Ronde Barber
and Brian Kelly as extra pass rushers who come from depth. The two have
combined for three sacks this season. Barber seems to have the instinctive
feel and overall timing down of knowing when to blitz. With that in mind,
Delhomme must identify Barber on his way to the line of scrimmage and make
sure to glance his way before the snap of the ball. If he fails to do so,
Barber could sneak under the radar and provide some big plays.
Tampa Bay WR Joey Galloway is making more of a contribution each week and
seems nearly recovered from the groin tear he suffered in the season
opener. With a healthy Galloway in the lineup, the Buccaneers' passing
game will be able to stretch the field more effectively. That should open
up the short-to-intermediate passing game for Joe Jurevicius and Michael
Clayton.
Special Teams
Buccaneers PK Martin Gramatica failed to attempt a field goal last week,
but he connected on all five of his extra point tries and booted four of
six kickoffs out of the end zone. While his overall consistency is still
in question, these are both promising signs for a kicking game that has
struggled this season. It will be interesting to see how much confidence
Gruden shows in him if this game comes down to a late field goal attempt.
Carolina PK John Kasay is still listed as questionable after injuring his
calf muscle two weekends ago against San Francisco. Kasay's replacement,
Jeff Chandler, connected on all five of his extra point tries last week
but he has yet to attempt a single field goal since joining the Panthers.
Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Panthers 20
