TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Chris Simms, competing with Brian Griese for Tampa Bay's No. 2 quarterback post, completed 12 of 15 passes Monday to help the Bucs beat Cincinnati, 20-6.
Carson Palmer, the first pick in the 2003 draft, made his first start since college for the Bengals. The Heisman Trophy winner threw an interception on his team's first possession and left the game after leading his team to a field goal on the other series he worked.
Earnest Graham scored on runs of 2 and 3 yards for the Bucs, who also got two field goals from Martin Gramatica.
Running back Chris Perry, Cincinnati's first-round pick this year, fumbled on his first carry to set up Tampa Bay's first touchdown.
The preseason opener was delayed two days when Hurricane Charley, slammed ashore on Florida's Gulf Coast before heading up the middle of the state over Orlando, where both teams waited out the storm last Friday.
