It will be the Vinny Testaverde Jr. show in Dallas on Thursday night as the Bucs wrap up the preseason with a game against the Cowboys.
The final preseason game is usually the game where no starters play and the bottom half of the roster gets extensive playing time with one last chance to impress the coaches to prove they deserve a roster spot.
Ryan Griffin will start at quarterback, but is not expected to play very long and will give way to Testaverde early in the game.
This a dream come true for Testaverde. Born and raised in Tampa, Testaverde attended Jesuit High School and grew up rooting for the Buccaneers as the son of Quarterback Vinny Testaverde.
Testaverde was with the Bucs very briefly during mini-camp signing a free agent contract and was an invitee to training camp, but was cut earlier this month.
Testaverde is excited for the opportunity. “It means the world, It’s something I’ve always dreamed of as a kid. You get to live out your dreams. There’s really nothing better than that so it’s going to be awesome.”
There are about ten roster positions up for grabs and Arians has said that the play on special teams will be a determining factor on who stays on the roster.
At wide receiver we should see a steady diet of Scotty Miller, Spencer Schnell, DeMarkus Lodge, Emanuel Hall and Anthony Johnson.
At tight end, Tanner Hudson and Scott Orndoff will see the majority of the snaps.
Dare Ogunbowale and Bruce Anderson will Get the majority of the snaps at running back. Ogunbowale has done enough and should get that fourth running back spot on the roster.
As much as has been written about the poor play of the Bucs offensive line this preseason, it seems that OL depth is a problem league wide. Arians has a theory on why the offensive line play is so spotty league wide.
“Because of what’s coming out of college right now. Guys have never been in three-point stances in high school or college, never been in a huddle. The growth of offensive linemen, you have to spend a lot more time practicing them.”
Arians also says that not allowing the linemen to practice in pads during the spring stunts their growth and development.
The defense has looked much improved during the preseason from what we saw last season. The final preseason game will be a good opportunity for a guy like defensive linemen Terry Beckner a seventh round draft pick, who has not taken a lot of snaps this preseason to get some reps under his belt.
In the defensive backfield Mazzi Wilkins, De’Vante Harris, and Lukas Denis all have a chance to get some good work in.
Justin Evans who has not played at all this preseason could play a series or two just to get some work in before the first game of the regular season.
