Breaking Down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2012 NFL Preseason Schedule

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers start their preseason schedule with three AFC teams before traveling to Washington to finish out their exhibition schedule. The NFL released its 2012 preseason schedule on Wednesday and the Bucs will face the Dolphins, Titans, Patriots and Redskins, in that order. Exact dates and times will be finalized at a later date.

Week 1—at Miami, TBA

Week 2—Tennessee, TBA

Week 3—New England, TBA

Week 4—at Washington, TBA

What to Watch For

New head coach Greg Schiano will stay in the state of Florida for his first game as the Bucs top dog. Tampa Bay's first game will be against another head coach that is new at the helm. Joe Philbin is in his first year as head coach of the Dolphins. In fact, all three Florida NFL teams have new head coaches this season.

The game that jumps out the most on the Tampa Bay preseason schedule is the game against New England. Quarterback Josh Freeman threw 22 interceptions last season and needs to bring that number down to get his development back on track. The Patriots ranked second in the league last year with 23 interceptions. This will be a good test for Freeman.

Everyone on the planet knows that Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are going to be the first two players taken in the draft in April. However, it's now a mystery who will go first to Indianapolis. Whichever player misses out on being the first player taken in the draft will go to Washington with the No. 2 pick. In Tampa Bay's final preseason game, the Buccaneers will face that rookie signal caller.