Every game we get people clamoring for an open thread an hour or two before it goes up so I figured I'd be proactive here and throw one up in the morning for all y'all at work that are getting pumped up for the game tonight.
Some points of emphasis on tonight's game:
-- How long will the starters play?
-- How will the offensive line hold up? Will James Carpenter start or will it be Breno Giacomini?
-- Defensively, will we see much creativity?
-- Atari Bigby, Josh Pinkard, Jeron Johnson, and Mark Legree are in a tough battle for one or two roster spots, who will come out ahead?
Also, today a lot of roster cuts will be going on around the League as teams try to get to 53 by tomorrow, so this will be a good forum to discuss the happenings there. A few of note so far include the Buccaneers release of both LB Tyrone McKenzie and DE Kyle Moore. McKenzie is a former 2nd round pick that was fighting for the Bucs starting MLB position recently so it comes as a big surprise to Bucs fans. As Sander of Bucs Nation put it:
Tyrone McKenzie has since had a decent preseason in which he looked very capable, and at the very least like a capable backup. This release comes out of nowhere, and I cannot in any way justify it. McKenzie was clearly the second-best middle linebacker on the team. This move makes this team weaker, and I really don't understand it. I like Mason Foster, having a quality backup behind a rookie who is still learning the position is key.
DE Kyle Moore was a Buccaneers 4th round pick in 2009 that had largely disappointed until this preseason. Sander also points out that:
He seemed rejuvenated this preseason, and has played much better. He was destroying right tackles and regularly getting to the quarterback. Despite his improvement he faced an uphill battle to make the roster.
With two high draft picks in Da'Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn ahead of him, he was pushed far down the roster.
I would imagine that both McKenzie and Moore will at least get looks from the Seahawks, and Moore is especially interesting because Seahawks defensive line coach Todd Wash was with the Bucs when Moore was drafted. We've seen the Hawks bring in a few Bucs castoffs already so it's something to watch.
We'll try to update this post with anything else noteworthy throughout the day. DIscuss below...
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