Statfox Writeup:
Kickoff: Friday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Tampa Bay -3, Total: 33
Two of last season’s surprise teams kick of their 2011 preseasons when the Buccaneers visit Kansas City on Friday night.
You wouldn’t have predicted success for either of these teams based on last year’s preseason; Tampa went 2-2 while K.C. went 1-3. But considering the Bucs are the team with the more seasoned back-up—Tampa has Josh Johnson, while the Chiefs have only rookie Ricky Stanzi and journeyman Tyler Palko—that will give them an edge in this preseason matchup. Factor in that the Chiefs are 1-7 SU in the preseason since head coach Todd Haley took over, and the pick is TAMPA BAY.
The Chiefs won the AFC West last year, but it was due in large part to a very soft schedule. They played only three regular-season games against teams who finished with winning records (their only win was over San Diego in a torrential rain storm), and they were blown out of their own stadium by Baltimore in the Wild Card playoff round. K.C. will be working in a couple of new receivers in Steve Breaston, who played under Haley in Arizona, and talented rookie Jon Baldwin. The Chiefs could be without TE Tony Moeaki on Friday, after he underwent minor offseason knee surgery.
Tampa Bay improved seven wins to 10-6 last season, but the Bucs struggled to stop the run last season (2nd-worst in NFL at 4.7 yards per carry allowed). They’ll have a major test against the Chiefs’ power running game. They’ll likely use rookie Mason Foster to replace long-time veteran Barrett Ruud (now with Tennessee) at middle linebacker, and his play will be key in their undersized front seven. A third-round pick, Foster is undersized himself at 6-foot-1, 241 pounds.
I'm on tb as well.
Kickoff: Friday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Tampa Bay -3, Total: 33
Two of last season’s surprise teams kick of their 2011 preseasons when the Buccaneers visit Kansas City on Friday night.
You wouldn’t have predicted success for either of these teams based on last year’s preseason; Tampa went 2-2 while K.C. went 1-3. But considering the Bucs are the team with the more seasoned back-up—Tampa has Josh Johnson, while the Chiefs have only rookie Ricky Stanzi and journeyman Tyler Palko—that will give them an edge in this preseason matchup. Factor in that the Chiefs are 1-7 SU in the preseason since head coach Todd Haley took over, and the pick is TAMPA BAY.
The Chiefs won the AFC West last year, but it was due in large part to a very soft schedule. They played only three regular-season games against teams who finished with winning records (their only win was over San Diego in a torrential rain storm), and they were blown out of their own stadium by Baltimore in the Wild Card playoff round. K.C. will be working in a couple of new receivers in Steve Breaston, who played under Haley in Arizona, and talented rookie Jon Baldwin. The Chiefs could be without TE Tony Moeaki on Friday, after he underwent minor offseason knee surgery.
Tampa Bay improved seven wins to 10-6 last season, but the Bucs struggled to stop the run last season (2nd-worst in NFL at 4.7 yards per carry allowed). They’ll have a major test against the Chiefs’ power running game. They’ll likely use rookie Mason Foster to replace long-time veteran Barrett Ruud (now with Tennessee) at middle linebacker, and his play will be key in their undersized front seven. A third-round pick, Foster is undersized himself at 6-foot-1, 241 pounds.
I'm on tb as well.