Bucs' young offensive line gets test vs. Jaguars' stout defense

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Jacksonville's first-team defense was nearly flawless in the preseason opener, playing two series at Miami, allowing no first downs and forcing two punts.

Now, the Jaguars want more.

"How about two turnovers?" defensive end Reggie Hayward said. "Let's get a pair of turnovers. Let's hit someone hard, cause a fumble or get a nice interception and take it back for a touchdown. That's how you improve on going three-and-out twice."

Hayward and the Jaguars (0-1) would like better results Saturday night against Tampa Bay (1-0). It could happen, considering the Buccaneers' young offensive line.

Jacksonville's defensive front mostly manhandled the Dolphins last weekend. The first- and second-team units allowed 31 yards in the first six series. They forced four punts, a fumble and an interception. Miami finally got things going late in the half and drove for a field goal.

By then, the Jaguars had seen exactly what they had hoped for from a defense that ranked second in the NFL last season.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden knows what to expect from Jacksonville. The teams have played every preseason since Gruden took over in 2002, and the Jaguars have won three in a row.

"Let's be honest. They have physically taken it to us," Gruden said. "Their defense has been more physical than we've been offensively in the last two or three outings. ... This team is at the forefront in football at being physical."

The Bucs' offensive line features rookie left guard Arron Sears, a second-round draft pick from Tennessee, and two second-year pros, right guard Davin Joseph and right tackle Jeremy Trueblood.

They will be matched against three-time Pro Bowl tackle Marcus Stroud, two-time Pro Bowler John Henderson and speedy ends Bobby McCray and Hayward.

"It's a great test to play those guys," Gruden said. "It's a great amount of fun to prepare for them because they bat balls down, they can reach across the formation. They've got arms that are 70 inches long, it looks like at times."

Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia and the first-team offense played two series in the opener against New England, and both drives were three-and-outs.

Gruden said Garcia might play a little longer in the second preseason game, but he also would like to see backups Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski and Chris Simms.

McCown strengthened his case for the No. 2 spot over Gradkowski by completing all seven passes and producing 10 points against the Patriots.

Simms, fourth on the depth chart after having his spleen removed and missing most of last season, didn't get off the bench.

He's been throwing since December, but is struggling to regain his form and challenge for the starting job he held for much of 2005 and the first three weeks of the 2006 season. Simms also has been hampered by a sore elbow.

Jacksonville also has quarterback issues, but the first two spots are locked down. Starter Byron Leftwich and backup David Garrard were sharp during training camp and in the preseason opener.

The No. 3 spot, though, is up for grabs between incumbent Quinn Gray, former top draft pick Tim Couch and undrafted rookie Lester Ricard. Gray has sat out most of camp with a sprained ankle, and Couch missed practice this week with a sore back.

Del Rio said he might consider keeping just two quarterbacks.

"There are plenty of teams in the league right now that have gone to two quarterbacks," Del Rio said. "We like our guys. We don't think that'll be the case here, but there are other teams that are doing that, taking that approach, so it's something you always consider."

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