Bucs at Seahawks: Something’s Gotta Give

Filed under: Buccaneers, Seahawks, NFC South, NFC West, Seattle, Tampa Bay

To get you ready for Week 1, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is your Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Seattle Seahawks preview.

2006 Records: (Click names for 2007 preview)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-12 (4th in NFC South)
Seattle Seahawks: 9-7 (1st in NFC West)

2006 Head-to-Head:

Week 17: Seahawks 23, Buccaneers 7

When the Bucs have the ball: The Bucs have a new quarterback in Jeff Garcia and a rebuilt offensive line, but their receivers are still a little suspect, and Cadillac Williams is running into a pretty solid front seven, even though the Seahawk defense’s numbers weren’t so great last year. If the line can keep the pass rush away, Garcia is capable of picking this secondary apart.

When the Seahawks have the ball: Shaun Alexander is on the wrong since of 30 and may be slowing down, but he’ll be expected to carry the load once again. Left tackle Walter Jones will be up against talented rookie Gaines Adams. That could prove to be a very crucial matchup.

The Edge: Both these coaches know the West Coast Offense, so they both must know how to shut that offense down. The question may be which team has the more talented defense, and the Bucs defense is in transition and not nearly as set as Seattle’s. The atmosphere in noisy Qwest Field has to put the Seahawks over the top here.

Whom You Should Watch:

1. Walter Jones v. Gaines Adams. In a similar matchup last night in Indianapolis, the rookie (Tony Ugoh) bested the All-Pro (Will Smith). Could that happen again here, or will Jones give Adams a rookie initiation?

2. Lofa Tatupu. Just on general principle. He’s one of the best linebackers in the business.

3. Jerramy Stevens. Seriously, if Seattle fans don’t heckle this man mercilessly, I will lose respect for that city.

Notes:

The Buccaneers defense is in rebuilding mode, which plays into the Seahawks’ hands. Most of the veterans from the Bucs’ Super Bowl XXXVII squad are gone, and it’s going to spend a lot of time searching for an identity. Fortunately for Jeff Garcia, the Seahawks’ secondary is mostly rebuilt as well.

Unfortunately, David Boston’ status remains uncertain after his DUI charge. They actually tested this man for horse tranquilizers. I had no idea he was partying with the West Coast Eagles.

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