5 things to watch in Tampa Bay Bucs preseason opener Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer Friday, August 14, 2015 
Will right guard Ali Marpet be in the starting lineup against the Vikings? Whether he starts or not, expect the rookie to get extra reps as coaches get their first chance to see him against real NFL competition [MONICA HERNDON | Times]TAMPA Tonight's Bucs preseason opener at Minnesota is the much anticipated debut of rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, and fans across the league will be watching to see how the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner from Florida State will fare in his first NFL snaps.But Winston and most other starters will likely be done by early in the second quarter, so we have five things Bucs fans can watch for to stay interested in the game from start to finish.1. Young receiversThe Bucs' depth at receiver has been a positive in the first two weeks of training camp, with five rookies — draft picks Kenny Bell and Kaelin Clay, and undrafted free agents Rannell Hall, Adam Humphries and Donteea Dye — turning heads.Add second-year pro Robert Herron, who caught only six passes as a rookie, and you have six young players trying to make a strong impression as they rotate in to catch passes from all three quarterbacks.It's likely the Bucs' return specialist will also come from this group. Clay returned four kicks for touchdowns last year at Utah, leading the NCAA, so keep an eye on the return game, which is another way a receiver can make the 53-man roster.2. Rookie linemenWill right guard Ali Marpet (top) and left tackle Donovan Smith (bottom) start? They've rotated in and out during camp, competing with Kevin Pamphile at left tackle and Garrett Gilkey and Kadeem Edwards at right guard.Whether they start or not, expect the rookies to get extra reps as coaches get their first chance to see them against real NFL competition. The Bucs have live blocking in practice, but this is another test entirely.3. Signs of a pass rush?Pressure from the edges will be a major question for the Bucs in 2015. Fans will get a look at defensive end George Johnson, acquired from the Lions and a likely starter opposite Jacquies Smith. The backup jobs at end are fairly wide open. Backup T.J. Fatinikun missed three practices this week and may not play, which would leave more reps for veterans Larry English and Lawrence Sidbury, and promising undrafted rookies Ryan Delaire and Jamal Young.You may see sacks come from the interior rush as well, with newcomers Henry Melton and Tony McDaniel getting their first looks and likely getting more reps than starters Gerald McCoy and Clinton McDonald.4. New extra-point rulesExtra-point tries will be snapped from the 15-yard line this season, which makes them 33-yard attempts instead of the all-but-guaranteed 19-yarders of the past. Kickers went a combined 11-for-11 on extra-point tries in Thursday's six preseason games, so this shouldn't be a problem for Bucs kicker Pat Murray (above). Will the Bucs use the preseason to try a two-point conversion? Thursday's Patriots-Packers game had three such attempts, with the league going 2-for-4 overall, by average the same scoring production as on the extra points.5. Other battlesKeep an eye in the second half to see who performs best at running back, where 241-pound rookie Dominique Brown is challenging third-year pro Mike James for a roster spot. … The starting linebacker jobs look locked up, but fans get their first look at rookie Kwon Alexander, an athletic 21-year-old from LSU who will push for playing time. The backup linebacker jobs are wide open, so watch for another rookie, Josh Keyes, as well as veterans Orie Lemon, Jason Williams, Larry Dean and Khaseem Greene. … Will there be a Karl Schmitz sighting? The 28-year-old punter, signed this week to challenge veteran Michael Koenen, has a strong leg but hasn't kicked in a game since 2008. He may get a look on kickoffs as well.