The Bucs scored first, and they scored last. In between, though, they gave up 31 straight points to Jacksonville in a 31-19 defeat.

No one will remember the final score even a month from now, of course, but were there significant elements to the game?

What’s your take?

we morgaged our teams future for an offensive wizard coach,where is the dynamic innovative offense? A mediocre offense that can’t score 20= points on a regular basis can’t win in the NFL.I understand that to win big you must have a good Defense,but Tony Dungy found out that a strangled offence will cost you your job. Look at him now, Buc’s training showed him the light, A good Defense allows you to turn loose the Offensive dogs, HEY JON wake up!!

Last Night when the Bucs 1st String was in the game against the Jags 1st string (especially against the Jaguars much vaunted “D” Line) the Bucs more than held their own on both sides of the ball.
Jacksonville kept their 1st string for the entire 1st half while the Bucs pulled theirs very early again.
All of Jacksonville’s 24 1st half points were made by the Jags 1st string against Buccaneer Reserve players. That is the real story of that game.
The Jags starting “O” was only marginal against the Bucs starting “D”.
Just another Exhibition-Like last week!

Ok, Ok, all the disclaimers about it being exhibition definitely apply here.  That said, how can anyone have a real problem with the team’s performance?  The Jags kept their 1st string in until the last drive of the first half, and kept a lot of them in until the third quarter.  They’re trying to learn their new offensive system, while we were auditioning players for the 2nd string.
I don’t care if you’re the Patriots or the Colts, if you play ANY NFL starting line-up against ANY team’s reserves, the reserves are going to get clobbered.  There’s just that much difference in the level of play between the starters and the next level down.
Still too soon to tell about this o-line.  If they can come together, we’ll have a good season.  If not, we won’t.  That’s really the only storyline that matters.

chessaol, how can you criticize Gruden for what he’s done here?  You were right, the Bucs mortgaged the future for Gruden.  His first year here, it worked.  He did what Tony Dungy couldn’t.  He won the big game and brought home a Superbowl championship.  Since then, he’s had little to work with as far as improving the team.  The salary cap wasn’t in the greatest condition.  That makes signing veterans a little difficult.  The draft picks were gone in his acquisition.  Now, he’s finally had some picks to start filling holes where he can and depth when he has a chance.  The o-line is starting to get younger and bigger.  The defense has some talented youth behind it now.  The offense will come.  It’s not like he hasn’t tried.  He drafted 2 receivers and a running back.  None of that means anything when you have an under performing offensive line.  They are starting to play better, giving the quarterback more time to hit his receivers.  The line didn’t open any holes during the game, but how many teams do you know that can move Henderson and Stroud?  Not many, judging by the position among defenses against the run.  I think Gruden is moving in the right direction.  I just think the situation he was put in has really slowed the process down.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the team becomes another constant playoff team if he’s given another season.  This year should show improvement, but may not show enough to calm you down.