Patriots vs. Buccaneers: 5 Things to Watch During NFL Preseason Week 2 Matchup

After New England's 47-12 thrashing of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the team's preseason opener, the Patriots are taking the right steps forward entering the start of this season.

The team's complete dominance came without many of the team's starters, such as Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork and several other notable players. 

New England will travel down to Tampa to battle it out with the Buccaneers for each team's second game of the exhibition season. 

The Patriots will likely enter this Thursday with the mindset of the game being a regular season game, meaning that more starters will see the field a whole lot more. 

As Thursday approaches, here are five things that I plan on watching in the team's second game of the preseason. 

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How Chad Ochocinco and Tom Brady Play Together

With several reports that both Tom Brady and Chad Ochocinco will play against the Buccaneers, we'll finally get a glimpse of the two in a real game-like situation. 

Ever since New England traded for Ochocinco, Brady has had nothing than positive remarks of Ochocinco's presence on the field. 

I have attended a few practices thus far, and I was pleasantly surprised with Ochocinco's athleticism and his ability to run nearly every route in the playbook. 

As Brady and Ochocinco plan to start this Thursday, we'll be able to get a good, solid look at the team's new offensive combination. 

How Vince Wilfork Plays in New England's 4-3 Defense

Like many other players, Vince Wilfork sat out the team's preseason opener against Jacksonville. 

New England debuted their new-like 4-3 defense against the Jags, and practically dominated Jacksonville's offense, as they only allowed 12 points to go along with 193 total yards of offense. 

Wilfork will likely take part in the team's second preseason game and will line up as one of the team's two defensive tackles in their new-look defense.

The 29-year-old Wilfork has played in New England's 3-4 defense as the team's nose-guard for his entire career; it's definitely going to be interesting to see him adjust to the styles of a 4-3 alignment.  

Potentially, Wilfork will be lining up with Haynesworth as the opposite defensive tackle. We may even get a glimpse of that this coming Thursday—if Haynesworth suits up, of course. 

If Taylor Price Sees More Playing Time with the First Team

Taylor Price recorded DeSean Jackson-like numbers against the Jaguars as he reeled in five balls for 105 yards and scored one touchdown—which everyone remembers it as it was circus-catch in the back of the endzone.

Despite Price's amazing performance against the Jags, he has been absent from practice ever since, according to ESPN Boston.

However, along with Price, Brandon Tate and Julian Edelman were also non-participants according to the report.

If Price does dress for the team's game in Tampa, it will be interesting to see which offensive group he'll play with—the first or the second.  

Which Running Back Gets the Most Carries with the First Team

Hold your horses fans. Stevan Ridley had a stellar debut as a New England Patriot, but he's not quite ready to be the team's lead-back in 2011. In fact, no one will be the lead-back this season.

New England will enter 2011 with a handful of running backs such as BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen as well as Ridley. 

Ridley's three touchdown, 64 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards performance was certainly notable, but we'll have to see if he can have a repeat performance against Tampa Bay. 

It's likely that Ridley will see a decent amount of snaps, as fellow rookie Vereen was a non-participant in the team's practice Tuesday, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston. 

New England will definitely roll with Woodhead and Ridley—and possibly a mix of Green-Ellis Thursday night—but who will play more with the first-team offense? 

If Ryan Mallett Gets More Snaps Than Brian Hoyer

It's almost guaranteed that Tom Brady will start in the team's second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he sat out the team's preseason opener. With Brady starting, who will see more time in relief: Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett?

It's pretty clear that Hoyer is without a question the team's backup quarterback. But after Mallett's performance against the Jaguars, he has had more reps in practice than Hoyer this week, according to multiple reports of ESPN's Mike Reiss. 

Mallett definitely shined in his debut as a Patriot. He completed 12 of his 19 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown, leading the team to four touchdown-scoring drives. 

Hoyer, on the other hand, was equally as sharp, as he went 15 of 21 with 171 yards and one touchdown.

New England will enter 2011 with two quality backup quarterbacks with trade values on the rise—there's no question that Bill Belichick has a nice problem at the quarterback position.