Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets Preview

By Jonathan Solomon | Saturday, October 08, 2005 | ( 0 )

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The New York Jets will try to turn around their sinking ship of a season on Sunday afternoon versus the undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The only sign of light in the immediate tunnel for the Jets this week is the slight chance that stud rookie running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams may not play. In the case he doesn't, veteran Michael Pittman would start.

On Wednesday, Jets head coach Herm Edwards announced that veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde would start this week. Obviously a sign of fate, Testaverde will start against the franchise that made him the #1 overall draft pick more than 18 years ago. Although he still has a cannon for an arm, the Jets offense hasn't done much this year. Running back Curtis Martin has had a soft 226 yards rushing in four games. With all of the movement at quarterback, the receivers haven't done well either. The leading Jets receiver is tight end Chris Baker. Perhaps most alarming is the fact that Testaverde is as immobile a player as any and the Jets offensive line has done a mediocre job of protecting their three previous signal callers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boast the number one defense in the league and have allowed only 45 points through four weeks. All the usual suspects have returned to form a dominating defense, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, Anthony McFarland and Greg Spires among others. Unlike in past years though, the Bucs offense has not been dragging behind.

Bucs starting quarterback, Brian Griese has quite the selection of weapons on the field. Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton each have 17 receptions. Carnell Williams has been nothing short of outstanding with a 111 yards rushing average per game along with a pair of scores. His back up, Michael Pittman has only rushed 13 times but has a great 6.1 average per rush.

On paper, this game should be a blowout. Looking at match-ups, this game should be a blowout. Still, the New York Jets will be home at the Meadowlands and playing for their pride. For the Jets to have a chance, the "real" Curtis Martin will need to step onto the football field and rush like only a Hall-of-Famer can.

An interesting side story to this game will be the return of unheralded tight end Anthony Becht to the Meadowlands. The former first round pick signed with Tampa in the off-season and has shared time with rookie Alex Smith.

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