Note: This Q & A session is now closed.

Sumbit your questions for the next round here.

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Q: Granted, Garcia will be our starting quarterback this year: however, if he has not shaken off his rust will Gruden play the player most likely to lead the Bucs to victory, regardless if it offends Jeff Garcia?

-- Dean Meinert, Port Charlotte

A: Absolutely Gruden would switch. Hey, he was willing to switch from Garcia to Favre after Garcia helped save his and GM Bruce Allen’s job. The guess here is Brian Griese. Actually, it’s not a guess _ count on it if this team breaks from the gate 1-3 or something like that, a real possibility.

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Q: What is up with our kicking game?  Teams like Kansas City are parading around three kickers, while we stick with Matt Bryant.  The guy can’t make a field goal over 40 yards, and is questionable everytime he is up.  Kicking decides many games and think this is something that needs to be addressed.  At least bring in somebody to challenge him.

-Frustrated Buc Fan, Plant City

Dear Frustrated: I’ve always wanted to write that—Dear Frustrated—it brings out the Dear Abby in me. Anyway, I’m with you. This team is putting way too much on this guy. It’s been a while since he booted the Bucs past the Eagles with that memorable Tom Dempsey impersonation—a long while. It’s taking a chance, especially given the fact that this is looking, to me at least, like a field-goal offense. You’ll see audtions—quickly—if is wide left or right or short early.

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Q: Why do the Bucs not use Graham as starting fullback and Dunn as starting tailback, like a 1,2 punch?

-- Bruce Valentine, Lakeland

A: Because Dunn might not be ready to haul the mail 15 to 20 times a game anymore, at least in Gruden’s mind (at least in the Falcons’ mind, too). I wonder, too, just how much he has left. Graham, so long as he holds onto the ball, should be the 15-touch guy, with Dunn coming in at 8 to 10 (Gruden loves him as a receiver) and Mikey Bennett good for 4 or 5. But Dunn will get his shot if Graham slips, even a little. And he should.

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Q: Will the Bucs home games be televised if they are not sold out?

-- Sandra Ulmer, Pinellas Park

A: Sandra, why are you always trying to stir things up? Just kidding. What a delightfully innocent question. I don’t think the question applies anymore _ the Bucs are sold out, so the 72-hour rule isn’t effect (if a game isn’t sold out 72 hours before the game, NFL rules dictate that TV can’t show it). But just how many of those sold seats will have fannies in them will depend on how this team breaks from the gate.

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Q: I am a Bucs Fan 4Life. My question is, Why is it that in Coach Gruden’s offense the Bucs frequently find themselves in third-and-6 situation, and the answer to this is a 5-yard pass? With the improvment of the O-line shouldn’t we be able to give enough pass protection for, say, a 7-yard pass?

-- Coach Kerry Bender, Tampa

A: Wow, a seven-yarder—you really want them to air it out, don’t you? Sadly, a six-yarder is tall cotton for Gruden’s offensive genius. Part of the problem is that even with protection, I’m not sure Clayton and Stovall will be open, or hold on to the ball. That goes for Antonio Bryant, too, and Dexter Jackson. Yes, protection might improve, but I don’t see the third-and-6s going away anytime soon, unless the team carves out big yardage on the ground. By the way, to me at least, vet Ike Hilliard is still the man on third down—and that’s scary.

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Q: Off the wall here, but I’ve always wondered ... what happens if a player on the field has to go to the bathroom?

-- Wendy, Orlando

A: I checked the rule book on this one. According to league rule 415.23 (section III, paragraph 2), “Any player, or players, needing to go potty, should do so.” Actually, Wendy, I’ve talked to players who’ve wet themselves rather than come out, as well as players who’ve wet themselves, period. Bruce Gradkowski comes to mind. Seriously, usually a player will hold until relieved. NFL games are like cellblock riots—there’s no time to think, much less, well, you know. They wait until halftime usually. Gives new meaning to “We’re No. 1,” doesn’t it?

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Q: As A Florida State Fan, where do you see Geno Hayes in the future with the Bucs?

-- D.J. Webb, Clearwater

A: Spot duty, here and there. He’s in Ryan Nece mode right now

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Q: Last year a rookie player went down with a serious (season ending) injury in the preseason, during a game.  All the players went to speak to him while he was lying on the field and the comentators mentioned that was because not only a respect thing but also because he was so well liked and talented.  I do not remember the name but am curious as to what his name is, what team he is with and how is doing this year.

-- Rick, Lakeland

A: Say a prayer. His name was Paris Warrren and he was released last week. Great kid, terrible timing. He was going to make the team, but this year the field was crowded at wideout, so he’s gone. The NFL is a tough racket.

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Q: What ever happened to Dre Moore? Does he still exist? Or was he a figure of our imagination?

-- Thomas Wiesenfeld, Longmont, Colo.

A: A figment, completely.

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Q: Please tell me it’s at LEAST being discussed… Bolden to Tampa for a first-round pick.

-- Charles Pruitt, New Orleans

A: At last, a thinking man’s thinker. I’ve wanted a receiver to backstop Joey Galloway forever. I’d rather have that than Brett Favre; it’s what this team needs. Have heard no talk of talk about Bolden. There should be.

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Q: I’m a bigtime Gaines Adams fan. What should we realistically look for sacks from him this year ? Is he a 12-18 sack DE or around 8-10 ?

A: I can’t see 12 to 18 sacks—I can’t see that at all. But 10 would be a great goal. The kid’s learning curve was great last season, and teammate and sack veteran Kevin Carter thinks Gaines should own some games this season. I tend to agree.

-- Joseph C. White, Port Charlotte

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Q: I’ve noticed for the second straight year that Monte is experimenting with a 3-4 defensive scheme with various blitz packages. Is Monte just sending smoke signals here or is he truly interested in changing things up at times in the regular season? Also, if they did go with that alignment, who would be the three down linemen? Many of their players don’t seem to carry enough weight for such a scheme.

-- Fred Thompson, Valrico

Q: I think they’d like White, Hovan and Adams, at least that’s the word. I find it hard to believe Kiffin will do much 3-4 _ you go with got you here, and the Bucs defense has gotten there again and again over the years.

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Q: Its amazing when we read about the young WR’s and the potential that exists in Tampa, yet one name seems always absent from the discussion, Dexter Jackson.  Is this an indication that the Bucs prefer to see him as a kickoff or return specialist as opposed to a WR?  I remember on draft day hoping they would select Limas Sweed who was still available and will be curious to track his season comparatively.  Are the Bucs hoping Jackson will be their Devin Hester?  Thanks as always!

-- Frank Stazzone, Long Island, NY

A: I wonder about this kid. I do. He doesn’t seem to run many kicks back. His size is a question, and if there’s a Devi Hester inside waiting to get out, I haven’t seen it yet. On the other hand, I have seen the other receivers—and this kid should definitely be in the mix. Anyone should. I think WR is the weak link on this offense.