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The NFL regular season officially starts this week. The Cowboys first opponent is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 12 PM Central.

Tampa Bay is going through some changes compared to last year. They have a new head coach Raheem Morris after firing Jon Gruden. Monte Kiffin moved on as the defensive coordinator at University of Tennessee. The Bucs preseason was kind of shook up with the firing of their offensive coordinator, Jeff Jagodzinski, last week. Quarterbacks coach, Greg Olson, has moved up to replace him.

They nearly made the playoffs last year at 9-7, but lost to Oakland Raiders in the last game that could have helped the Cowboys make the playoffs. The Cowboys blew their chance by terribly losing their last game to the Philadelphia Eagles. How will each team come back this year? Well, Sunday, we will find out.

Tampa Bay will still use the defense and a good running game to overpower the Cowboys’ 3-4 defense. They acquired Derrick Ward from the New York Giants (remember Mike Jenkins missed tackle last year ole’) to go with Carnell Williams and Earnest Graham. They will probably use Ward and Williams as the change up guys and have Graham tire the middle of the defense up.

Another new addition to Tampa is Kellen Winslow, Jr from the Cleveland Browns. Last year, the Cowboys used Greg Ellis to cover him because they couldn’t trust Roy Williams. I doubt they will do that with Anthony Spencer. The Cowboys will trust Gerald Sensabaugh to do a better job in covering the Tight End this year.

I believe that Terrence Newman and Mike Jenkins will have no problems with the Tampa Bay wideouts of Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton.

The starting quarterback for the Buccaneers will be Byron Leftwich, he is not a very mobile quarterback, but he is a serviceable quarterback and effective. The key, which I preach a lot about, is getting pressure and forcing mistakes. Get the sacks, but the Cowboys need to improve in takeaways this season.

Offensively, the Cowboys need to spread the ball, but more importantly, get the ground game established with Marion Barber and Felix Jones. Put in a few carries for Tashard Choice as well. If they have to pass, use Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, and all the weapons to spread the ball around. Keep the defense guessing.

The top of the list, Tony Romo needs to play smart and protect the ball. Carry the ball firmly and be smart about throwing the ball. I want Jason Garrett to call a balanced game plan.

I expect the Buccaneers to have the Cowboys wear their blue jerseys in the Florida weather. There is a chance of rain forecasted for the game. In my schedule bar, you can click the banner for this game and it will take you to the ESPN preview of this game.

Also, if you check my blog on Wednesday, I will have a link up that will show what games will be televised in your area. I already know that it will not be shown where I am so I may try and go somewhere to watch it.

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By Dave Trollope
SJ Advisor/Contributing Author, blogger