Online betting players should keep their eye on Tampa Bay, an up-and-coming team that may not see the results this season, but they’re going to make it tough on anyone they play, beginning with their preseason opener in Miami. The Bucs will unleash their young players on the Dolphins and show that they won’t be messed with in 2010.
What: NFL betting
When: Saturday, August 14th, 7:00 PM ET
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL
Pick: Tampa Bay
What’s On The Line
The Bucs are continuing the rebuilding process with a lot of good, young pieces, and they may have drafted the next Warren Sapp in the first round. The Dolphins may put the ball up with their new Pro Bowl receiver and strong-armed quarterback, although the receiver is hurt and won’t make this game.
Offensive Matchups: Buccaneers Dolphins Betting
Josh Freeman is the No.1 guy in Tampa Bay, but Josh Johnson, Rudy Carpenter and Jevan Snead will get most of the reps in this game. The receivers, led by rookies Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn, are young…..very young. Cadillac Williams managed to make it through the season healthy, which means he won’t be risked in this game, and neither will Derrick Ward, which means Clinton Smith should get a lot of work. This will be a game to test the depth of the line as Donald Penn is holding out and Jeremy Trueblood had some legal problems this summer.
Chad Henne comes into camp as the starter, and he’ll have Brandon Marshall to throw to now, but Marshall had hip surgery and will surely miss this game. Chad Pennington still has shoulder problems, which means the reps will be split between Tyler Thigpen and Pat White, who the Dolphins used out of the Wildcat. With Greg Camarillo, Devone Bess and Brian Hartline joining forces with Marshall, Miami could have one of the most underrated receiving corps in the league. Lex Hilliard and Patrick Cobbs are battling for the third-string back spot behind the now-healthy Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.
Free sport pick: Dolphins
Defensive Matchups: Buccaneers Dolphins Betting
Drafting Gerald McCoy may have given the Bucs their defensive tackle for the next decade, and it helps that McCoy’s idol is a certain Warren Sapp who helped make Tampa Bay one of the dominant defensive teams of the 10-15 years. It’s unknown how much he’ll play in this game, but you’ll see the potential right away for McCoy. Geno Hayes and Quincy Carter may get some reps in as they’ll be the starting linebackers alongside Barrett Ruud, but they’ve never started before. The Bucs may also have to start looking for a replacement for corner Ronde Barber, who is in the final year of his contract and didn’t have a pick for the first time since his rookie year….back in 1997.
The Dolphins have to replace linebackers Jason Taylor and Joey Porter, who were veterans and the best pass-rushers that Miami had, and now the pressure is on Cameron Wake to step into their role. Miami shipped in Karlos Dansby to play in the middle of the defense, which will now be called by Mike Nolan, who crafted a pretty good defense out in Denver. The biggest questions may come in the secondary, where Vontae Davis and Sean Smith look to get a baptism by fire as starting rookie corners. Reshad Jones may end up making it three starters in the secondary if he can beat Chris Clemons for the free-safety spot.
Sports picks: Bucs
Notable Injuries: Buccaneers Dolphins Betting
Tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) is the main receiving threat in Tampa Bay, but he’s coming off a knee surgery that could hinder him early in the year.
Miami fans will have to wait to see Marshall (hip), although he should be alright for the regular season.
Sports picks: Draw
Outlook and Pick: Buccaneers Dolphins Betting
The Dolphins should get the nod in your NFL betting book in terms of odds, but we’re going with the young and hungry Bucs to come out and show that they’re not going to be pushed around anymore. Competition is fierce in Tampa Bay, and that’s not to say it isn’t in Miami, but the Bucs are a younger team, and we’re giving them the edge in terms of backup quarterbacks as well. Take the Bucs for a sports betting upset.
Stan’s Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers