Bucs Take on 'Fins in 3rd Preseason Game

The Bucs take on the Dolphins tonight in their third game of the preseason. The third game of the preseason is normally the game that the starters play the most time. Hopefully Jon Gruden will follow this formula and let the starters go into the third quarter so that we can see how the team is looking. This game should tell fans a lot about what type of team the Bucs will have this season and what improvements will still need to be made.

The Dolphins like to run the ball so the defense will need to be up to the task of stopping Ronnie Brown not only running, but catching out of the backfield. New coach Cam Cameron loves to use his running backs in multiple different ways and the Bucs will get a nice test tonight. The Bucs struggled against the run last year and also had a hard time against the Jaguars in the second half last week so a go effort against the Dolphins would be nice to see. Last week Brown gashed Kansas City's defense for big gains up the middle and to the outside while breaking a lot of tackles. The Bucs defense is going to get a test from Brown and it will be interesting to see how the linebackers and safeties handle it.

The Miami defense is getting up in age, but they are still a very talented group and the Bucs offense will need to be clicking to get the ball moving. The offensive line will be without Aaron Sears who is still sidelined with an ankle injury and Luke Petigout is not expected to play long either. The Bucs did not run the ball effectively last week so improved run blocking will be something to look for in this game. David Boston traveled with the team to Miami, but it is still not known if he will play due to his DUI incident on Thursday. Boston was starter opposite of Joey Galloway so Maurice Stovall may get the nod tonight and will have a chance to regain that starting job he lost with a some bad outings. Stovall has looked better recently so look for him to come through with some catches this evening.

The Bucs had trouble holding onto the ball last week against the Jaguars and Jon Gruden let his displeasure be known to everyone. It will be interesting to see if the Bucs shoot themselves in the foot on any drives against the Dolphins like they did with the Jags last week. John Wade will get the starting nod at center after Matt Lehr had multiple exchange problems last week when he got the start. The Bucs don't have much time left so it is important to get the work in now.