The games don’t count, so the results are meaningless.
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In fact, not only are the games inconsequential, they can be hazardous. He spent nearly all of last season working through shoulder tendinitis and did not play in a preseason or regular-season game. New Orleans’ Sean Payton, Kansas City’s Andy Reid and Philadelphia’s Chip Kelly are just a few of the coaches who call their own plays.
And though the Bucs defensive line looks rather thin, veterans Henry Melton and William Gholston should act as solid reinforcements.
Winston stumbled as he backed away from center before being wrapped up in the arms of Atkins and Gilberry and taken to the ground. This might be the one team whose preseason games matter.
To wash out the taste of 2014.
Overall I feel like we are definitely moving forward, which is what preseason is for.
That’s what Monday night was about.
“It was a tough fall he took there, ” Smith said. You can see below that he’s already running the show in the pregame. “But in that locker room, our team morale, we’re going to look at that as us getting a win”. “That’s definitely important. We get a win”.
The top story here was, once again, Doug Martin’s performance.
Tampa Bay rookies Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet started at left tackle and right guard. The Bucs only needed eight plays to go eighty yards which ended with Jameis Winston scrambling and rushing for a one yard touchdown.
Mariota was an efficient 5-for-8 for 59 yards against St. Louis, and his stats would have been more impressive had Dexter McCluster not dropped a pass in the end zone.
“We have so many great weapons and so many great players”, said Winston. His night ended early after a minor injury scare. The other quarterback on the roster, first-year player Keith Wenning out of Ball State, is angling for a spot on the practice squad. I think he’s a real good person one, and then two he’s a really smart quarterback and he knows what’s going on.
He played with poise and confidence. “It’s fun to talk about him”, manager Terry Francona said.
Tomlin returns to the Progressive Field mound for the first time in 2015 tonight, as the Indians open a two-game home series against the Milwaukee Brewers. To be honest, there’s a lot I can improve in that game. Until it does, the Bucs offense and Winston’s health will be in jeopardy.
Now, the team has Dirk Koetter as offensive coordinator, allowing Smith to spend more time on the side of the ball he loves.
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And that’s what the next preseason game Saturday will be about.
