Saturday, February 4th, 2012
It will be a battle of Florida when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes the field to face the Miami Dolphins in an NFL preseason contest on Saturday night.
This game will kick off from Miami at 7PM Eastern Time with live national television coverage provided by the NFL Network.
The LVSC NFL odds makers set the opening line in this game and it was the home team Miami Dolphins set as 2 ½ point betting favorites with an over under of 33 ½.
The early money from the bettors has come on the favorite as the Miami Dolphins are now 3 ½ point favorites. The total saw movement under to a current total of 33.
Money line gamblers on the side of the Miami Dolphins will lay -185 odds with the road underdog Tampa Bay Buccaneers returning +165 to win this game without the benefit of taking the points.
The Buccaneers will start second year pro Josh Freeman at quarterback. Freeman worked his way to #1 last season after entering his rookie season as the #3 quarterback. Freeman completed only 54.6% of his passes for 1857 yards 10 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
Backing up Freeman is third year man Josh Johnson from San Diego. In spot duty in 6 games in 2009 Johnson completed only 50.4% of his passes with 4 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. There were bunch of turnovers from Tampa Bay quarterbacks last season.
Also on the Buccaneers roster is second year pro Rudy Carpenter from Arizona St. In the preseason in 2009 Carpenter completed 12 of 18 attempts for 125 yards 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions.
In the backfield for the Buccaneers are veterans Derrick Ward, Earnest Graham and Carnell Cadillac Williams. Rookie Carlos Brown from Michigan also figures to get carries.
The Buccaneers receiving corps looks rather negative really. Maurice Stovall and Mike Williams are the #1 and #2 options on the depth chart. Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. will line up at tight end. Battling for roster spots will be rookie Arrelious Benn, Sammie Stroughter, Michale Clayton and Reggie Brown. Rookies Chris Brooks from Nebraska and Mike Williams from Syracuse will also get a look.
Miami lines up with Chad Henne the third year pro from Michigan as the clubs number one quarterback. In 14 games in 2009 Henne completed 60.8% of his passes for 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Battling for the number two quarterback position will be veterans Tyler Thigpen, Pat White and Chad Pennington. Thigpen saw significant action in the 2008 season as the Kansas City Chiefs starter completing only 54.8% of his passes with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. White is used primarily in Wildcat formations. Pennington missed most of the 2009 season due to injury and health is an issue for this 11 year veteran.
The Dolphins are solid in their running back position with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown in the backfield. Patrick Cobbs should see significant action in this contest. He rushed just 6 times for 36 yards in 2009. Second year pro Kory Sheets played in just 2 games last season and will get a look. Third year pro Lex Hilliard had 23 carries for 89 yards last season.
Brandon Marshall will make his preseason debut with the Dolphins on Saturday. He comes over from the Denver Broncos. Brian Hartline will line up as a starter. The backups include veterans Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess. Second year man Patrick Turner from USC will get a good look as will rookies Roberto Wallace from San Diego St, Ryan Grice-Mullen from Hawaii and Marlon Moore from Fresno St.
For the Latest NFL Odds Please Visit our NFL Odds Page
NFL Trend: The Under is 12-2 in their past 14 preseason meetings
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