NFL Preseason Preview – Kansas City (0-1) at Tampa Bay (0-1)
(Sports Network) – A pair of teams looking to turn the page following uneven preseason debuts will convene at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play host to the Kansas City Chiefs in the second tune-up outing for both teams.
The Buccaneers, who will make their 2010 preseason debut before the home faithful, were 10-7 losers at the Miami Dolphins in what was a sloppy, rain- soaked affair last Saturday.
There were some bright spots for Tampa Bay in the loss, including a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Freeman to wideout Sammie Stroughter in the first quarter, which accounted for the only Bucs points.
Freeman, who is looking to take a step forward in his second year in the league, was a perfect 4-for-4 passing for 53 yards and the touchdown.
Bucs fans will also get a long look at promising young receivers Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn on Saturday. Williams (4th round, Syracuse) had a 30-yard reception against the Dolphins, while the slower-to-develop Benn is still seeking his first catch of the warm-up period.
The big story on defense will be the first Tampa appearance of first-round defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the April draft.
Also struggling to trouble the scoreboard in their preseason opener were the Chiefs, who fell in 20-10 fashion at Atlanta last Friday night.
Quarterback Matt Cassel, taking his first steps under the tutelage of new coordinator Charlie Weis, completed 6-of-8 passes for just 25 yards in the loss.
A contentious Chiefs running back picture could come into sharper focus on Saturday, with Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and rookie Dexter McCluster all expected to take their turn against the Bucs.
Charles (4 rushes, 37 yards), Jones (2 carries, 2 yards) and McCluster (5 carries, 25 yards) worked to mixed results against the Falcons.
The Buccaneers hold a 3-1 edge in their all-time preseason series with the Chiefs, including a 37-14 home victory in the last such meeting, prior to the 2000 season.
The teams last met in meaningful play in 2008, a 30-27 Buccaneers overtime win at Arrowhead Stadium.