Tonight is out, but the Bucs hold out hope they can play the Bengals on Sunday or Monday.
By JOANNE KORTH
Published August 14, 2004
LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Bucs' preseason opener against the Bengals was postponed indefinitely Friday because of Hurricane Charley.
Team officials were hopeful, however, that the game, scheduled for 7 tonight at Raymond James Stadium, would be rescheduled for Sunday or Monday.
"Our first concern is, obviously, the people of the Tampa Bay area and making sure everybody is healthy and safe," general manager Bruce Allen said Friday. "The game becomes secondary right now to a lot of our other concerns."
Allen said the situation would be assessed this morning.
Anticipating that area fire, sheriff and police department workers would be needed in the community and unavailable to staff the game, the Tampa Sports Authority, in conjunction with the team and Hillsborough County EOC, decided to postpone.
"The priority right now is safety and understanding what people tell you to do," coach Jon Gruden said. "Families, friends, people, human beings - we're all concerned about it."
But after Charley reached landfall some 110 miles southeast of the Tampa Bay area, sparing it the damage associated with a direct hit, team officials Friday evening grew optimistic that the TSA may be able to staff the game by Sunday or Monday.
The Bucs have been in training camp near Orlando since July 30. Several players and staff members returned to their families in the Tampa Bay area Thursday to secure homes. Many brought family members to the Orlando area.
"I'm always optimistic," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "You have to be concerned, but I hope everything turns out okay."
The Bengals arrived in Orlando on Thursday and will remain in the area to see if the game can be rescheduled.
It will be difficult for the Bucs to play the Bengals beyond Monday. Tampa Bay is scheduled to break training camp on Wednesday and travel to Jacksonville Thursday for a game Friday night.
