Bucs Beat Texans 31-24: Any Questions?

The fourth preseason game is all about making roster cuts, making money for the owners, hoping nobody gets injured and then making more money for the owners. With three minutes left in the game, the Bucs beat the Texans 31-23 with a touchdown by their preseason leading receiver, Paris Warren. Unfortunately, after Warren was hit at the goal line, he momentarily lost consciousness and the TV coverage cut away from him because of how awful his leg looked. He regained consciousness, his leg was put in an aircast, and he was carted off the field to a standing ovation. After the game, John Gruden said that this injury was a "terrible dislocated ankle."

Here's a few observations I have about the game for Texan fans, especially for those who didn't watch it:

Result: Don't worry too much about the result of this game. Sage Rosenfels looked good in the limited time he was in, and then it was Jared Zabransky for most of the game. He looked like a rookie, with a few flashes, but it made it difficult to evaluate receivers and running backs.

Jacoby Jones: In limited minutes, he ended up catching three passes for 34 yards and scoring yet another touchdown with a leaping grab in the corner of the endzone. He did not score any touchdowns on punt returns because he didn't return punts during this game. After the draft, one of the Texans staff who is usually pretty critical of players told me that he thought that Jones could be a player, but I had no idea.

The Star-Telegram has a nice article on Jones, saying that his best ever 40 time was 4.24 (he ran a 4.5 at the combine). They offer this amazing stat:

The Texans staff says that they believe that Jones is one of the best conditioned players on the team.

DeMeco Ryans: Ryans didn't play in this fourth game, but what this game told us is that Texans fans need to pray for the continued good health of the Ryans. The Bucs picked on the backsups at the MLB position all night, no matter who was playing it. Lots of missed tackles by the defense.

I recognize that there were a lot of backups in, but I'm guessing the Texans stats against the run will continue to look good as long as it is so easy to pass the ball against the team. I'd like to see quicker adjustments by the defensive coaching staff when the defense is getting abused, but I suppose you can't make chicken salad outta chicken...beaks. I can report that rookie corner Fred Bennett showed some promise, almost having an interception that was flagged and reversed near the end of the game. Personally, I thought the play was inconclusive, but I'm guessing that refs don't care much for overtime preseason games.

Running Back Battle: Bleh. Ahman Green and Ron Dayne did not play. I can't say I am a big fan of Dayne as the number two back, but he finished last season strong, and they trust his blocking. There were 17 rushing attempts from the running back position, and all those few attempts told me is that I'd like to see less of Samkon Gado, and more of Wali Lundy and Darius Walker. Most of Lundy and Walker's minutes were limited and came late against questionable competition, but Walker especially looked like he followed blocks well and made the most out of the few runs he had.

Matt Turk: He's going to be your punter. Was there a doubt?

So for those of you who watched the game, what are your thoughts? And for those who didn't, do you have any questions?