Sunday marks 22 days since Tampa Bay starters played in a football game.
The Bucs are ready for some football. But are they ready for Sunday’s opponent, the Chicago Bears?
“Every time your play the first game of the season, it’s going to stun your body,” Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith said. “It doesn’t matter what kind of shape you are in.”
Tampa Bay’s had plenty of time to get in shape. But game shape is different.
“I don’t see there being any problems,” wide receiver Mike Evans said. “We’re professionals and we’ve been waiting to play, so we’re going to go play.”
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay
Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: Fox
“Yeah, every year is a different feeling,” quarterback Jameis Winston said. “But, every year it’s the same goal and that goal is to win football games, make it to the playoffs and ultimately win a Super Bowl.”
Chicago got its Week 1 game in when they nearly came from behind to beat the Super Bowl runner-ups Atltanta. Former Bucs backup Mike Glennon, now the Bears starting quarterback, went 26-of-40 for 213 yards and one touchdown.
“I think it probably does add a little bit of mystery on both sides,” head coach Dirk Koetter said. “Mike is a very, very sharp guy. I’m sure he remembers a lot of stuff. Mike is a note taker – I’m sure he remembers a lot of stuff about our defense.
“At the same time, we know Mike and we know his strengths and weaknesses as well.”
That the Bears have a game under their belt and the Bucs don’t could be a disadvantage for Tampa Bay. So could the starters’ long layoff. But they aren’t using any excuses.
The long wait has made them hungrier for the start of the season.
“I expect it to be electric,” Winston said. “These fans need something – a giddy-up. I’m happy, especially with last year us finishing strong at home – the fans just saw how their involvement with crowd noise and how electric Raymond James was – hopefully it can be the same.
“Hopefully we can all just have a great Sunday and be excited about Tampa Bay Buccaneers football.”