On Saturday night, the Buccaneers will take the field in Jacksonville against the Jaguars for some more preseason action. Here, we preview the matchup and tell you where you can watch and listen to it.
Week one of the preseason saw plenty of negatives for the Buccaneers, but there were a solid share of positives to take away as well. Earlier this week, Tampa Bay got a couple of joint practices in with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday’s opponent. Jacksonville will host the Bucs at EverBank Field, with kickoff set for 7:30.
Tampa Bay has plenty of ongoing battles that need to be decided in the next few weeks, including a competition for the third running back spot between Mike James, Storm Johnson and Peyton Barber. The Bucs are still looking for some depth at wide receiver, but Russell Shepard and Donteea Dye have both showed some promise while Adam Humphries, the team’s current no. three receiver, tries to strengthen his hold on the spot.
Multiple players have seen time in practice catching kicks and punts. Both battles will continue, though Humphries’ spot as the punt returner looks much more certain than Kenny Bell’s as the kick returner. Bell fumbled the opening kickoff last week before being replaced by Donteea Dye. According to head coach Dirk Koetter, Dye will get the first kick return rep on Saturday.
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Lately, Kevin Pamphile has shown some versatility on the offensive line due to injury and sickness. But, assuming Donovan Smith has recovered from the flu, Pamphile should continue to fill in at guard for the injured J.R. Sweezy. On the defensive side of the ball, Tampa Bay will look to sustain the same pass rush it had last week in Philadelphia. The Bucs racked up four sacks between the first and second team defensive line.
With a young quarterback in Blake Bortles, emerging stars in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns at wide receiver and what should be an improved defense, the Jaguars are very intriguing. Last year’s first-round pick, Dante Fowler Jr., is now healthy after missing all of last year. Another collegiate standout was added to the secondary this offseason when the Jaguars selected Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey fifth overall in the draft. With a wealth of young talent, Jacksonville has a team that’s capable of making a playoff push.
The Bucs and Jaguars last met in week five of the 2015 season, when Tampa Bay came away with a 38-31 victory in a shootout at Raymond James Stadium. Doug Martin had a big day, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries while adding three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown.
WHERE TO WATCH: Just like last week, WTTA Great38 will have the broadcast in the Tampa Bay area. Chris Myers will once again have the play-by-play call with Buccaneer great Ronde Barber taking the color commentary duties. Dan Lucas will have reports from the sideline. For more options around Florida, check here. NFL Network will show a replay of the game at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday.
WHERE TO LISTEN: As usual, the Bucs’ flagship stations, US 103.5 and 620 WDAE, will have the radio broadcast. Gene Deckerhoff will call play-by-play, former Buc Dave Moore will have the commentary and T.J. Rives has the reports from the sideline. For more options around Florida, check here.
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For in-game and postgame coverage of Saturday night’s matchup, follow @ThePewterPlank on Twitter.