• Recap
• Bleachers

Buccaneers take apart Patriots

Aug 18, 2008 - 2:59 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Backup quarterbacks Brian Griese and Luke McCown both were impressive as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New England Patriots 27-10 Sunday in preseason action.

Griese and McCown both directed long touchdown drives as the Bucs easily handled the Patriots, who were playing without quarterback Tom Brady.

Griese finished 9-for-10 for 44 yards while McCown was 7-for-10 for 79 yards and a touchdown pass to Byron Storer. Both are battling to be the backup to starter Jeff Garcia, who didn't play.

Brady did not make the trip here. He remained in New England to rest a foot injury that sidelined him last week against the Baltimore Ravens.

Behind Griese, the Bucs opened the game with a 17-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in Earnest Graham's 1-yard

touchdown. In the second quarter, McCown directed an eight-play, 86-yard drive that ended with McCown's 1-yard pass to Storer for a 17-0 lead.

Michael Bennett finished with 57 yards rushing on eight carries for the Bucs, who also scored on Sabby Piscitelli's 24-yard fumble return.

New England strong safety Brandon Meriweather left in the second quarter with a leg injury. The extent of his injury was unknown.

Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 53-yard field goal on the final play of the first half and Heath Evans added a 1-yard run to account for the Patriots' two scores.