SR's BUC SHOT 2/7 - WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE BUCS OPEN 2011 AT GREEN BAY

[PewterReportSR]

As Sports Illustrated's Peter King speculated in his Monday Morning QB column this morning, Tampa Bay has to be one of the possibilities circulating for the 2011 season opener, which will feature this year's Super Bowl XLV Packers playing at Green Bay. The NFL has had a history of the defending Super Bowl champion team hosting the season opener dating back to 2004. The defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers actually broke the trend by starting the 2003 season on the road at Philadelphia to open Lincoln Financial Field. Despite the disrespect from the NFL, the Bucs opened the Linc the same way they closed down Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia – with a victory.

From having to play the 2003 season opener on the road, to being the only Super Bowl champion to not visit the White House for a championship celebration (due to the U.S.-Iraq war), to having to play its first and only Super Bowl in California against a California team in the Oakland Raiders, for some reason life has always been hard on the Bucs. Because of this trend I could see them having to open the road in prime time at Green Bay. It would seem only fitting in some ways.

Tampa Bay sources predict that the Bucs will get 2-3 prime time games in 2011 due to the team's resurgence and the bevy of offensive stars the Bucs suddenly have in QB Josh Freeman, TE Kellen Winslow, RB LeGarrette Blount and WRs Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn. But those sources also suggest that most or all of those prime time games would be on the road in places like Atlanta, New Orleans – or Green Bay – for two reasons. First, the Bucs don't expect to sell out every home game in 2011 and the league wouldn't want the embarrassment of having a prime time game played before a less than capacity crowd. And secondly, Tampa Bay is not one of the league's darlings yet despite a breakthrough 10-6 record.

Personally, I would love to see the Bucs open the 2011 campaign in the underdog role on the road at Green Bay. I think the Bucs match up quite well against the Packers, a team Tampa Bay beat at Raymond James Stadium in both 2008 and 2009. The league would surely love to see an Aaron Rodgers vs. Freeman duel to start the season, as well as using the infamous "Battle of the Bays" moniker to hype up the 2011 season opener.

I envision head coach Raheem Morris circling the wagons and playing up the underdog status of this game, suggesting to his players that the league might want to "set the defending Super Bowl champs up with an opening day win." The 1997 Buccaneers shocked the world by beating up QB Steve Young and WR Jerry Rice and then beating the 49ers in stunning fashion to serve as the catalyst for a 10-6 season that year. Morris and the Bucs could be set up perfectly to shock the world again in 2011 - if only the league were to cooperate and put the Bucs in Green Bay to start the year. C'mon. Let's see that game happen.

[SepeBucs]

I would love it too, but I doubt the CBA will be in place before then.

[Biggs3535]

Isn't it kinda an unwritten rule that the previous years' Conference Championship opponents match-up in Week 1?

I'd like to see it, but I think Chicago will be in Green Bay on Week 1.

[Detrimental]

Yeah it'll be Chicago week one. But, the two weeks after should be TB vs GB. We match-up with GB so well its crazy.

Rodgers has his worst career games against Tampa. So obviously Rah knows something the rest of the league doesn't.

[Boid Fink]

I would just like to see games in September...I don't care who the Bucs play...just get a game!

If we lose out on a year, this would be particularly devastating for this young team.  they lose a vital year, in which they would get more OJT...losing a year for this young team sets them back IMO.  Sets US back.

[Tebowmania 25]

Would love to see us play GB on the opener, would be pretty awesome!

[Ft Myers Buc Fan]

That would be fine with me...much better than playing at Green Bay in December with a playoff spot on the line

[JayAuggs]

That would be fine with me...much better than playing at Green Bay in December with a playoff spot on the line

My thoughts exactly!

[shonline]

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