Buccaneers: Who should play, who should sit in the preseason finale
By Ryan Doyle
Who Should Sit
Ryan Griffin, QB
Odds are, Ryan Griffin will lead the offense for most of the game, but it shouldn’t be that way. Austin Allen should be under center for every offensive snap.
Griffin shouldn’t have to show anything else in the preseason. It’s crystal clear that he can be a viable backup quarterback. For the first three weeks, he will be Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s backup, and there is no sense risking an injury in the final preseason game.
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Griffin has been on the money in the preseason. He’s thrown for 367 yards, completed 70.8 percent of his passes and has thrown for three touchdowns with no interceptions. Let Griffin enjoy Thursday night on the sidelines so he can be available in case disaster strikes.
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB
Although there’s no confirmation yet, Jacquizz Rodgers appears to be the second or third running back in the Buccaneers depth chart. Entering his eighth NFL season, Rodgers has nothing to gain playing in the finale.
In a pinch, he can produce in the run game and is a decent receiver out of the backfield. He won’t excite anyone, but he is valuable depth and shouldn’t be placed in harm’s way.
Vernon Hargreaves, CB
Not much has been made of Vernon Hargreaves in the preseason. He was hampered with an injury early on but made his presence felt against the Lions with a nice pass break up in the red zone. He was locked onto Golden Tate and showed why he belongs in the nickel back role.
dark. Next. Buccaneers 53-man roster projection
As the rookie cornerback tandem of Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart has made all the noise, Hargreaves quietly put his work in during training camp. His job isn’t in danger, and he doesn’t need to suit up.