Sep 14, 2007, 18:04 GMT
- After a nightmare beginning to their 2007 season, the New Orleans Saints will attempt to turn the page when the defending NFC South champions visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a divisional matchup Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Tabbed as one of the preseason favorites to represent the NFC in this year's Super Bowl, the Saints instead displayed a striking resemblance to the team that won a woeful three games during a tumultuous 2005 campaign in their humbling 41-10 Week 1 loss to the reigning world champion Indianapolis Colts. An offense that led the NFL in total yards a year ago was completely shut down by the Colts' new-look defensive corps, while Peyton Manning and his dynamic group of receivers ravaged a New Orleans secondary that appeared confused and unprepared for such an aerial barrage.
The Saints' lone touchdown of the evening came on a fumble return by ex-Colt Jason David, the bright spot of an otherwise forgettable return to the RCA Dome for the cornerback.
Tampa Bay failed to score a touchdown of any kind in its season opener, a 20-6 setback at Seattle, with its offense looking very much like the unit that produced the second-lowest point total in the league last year and ranked 29th in total yards during the club's discouraging 4-12 season of 2006.
The Bucs could be offensively challenged again with the expected absence of Cadillac Williams on Sunday. The oft-injured running back was forced out of the Seattle loss with bruised ribs and is doubtful to suit up for the team's home opener. Quarterback Jeff Garcia also missed some time in the opener after taking a shot to the head during the third quarter, but the fiery veteran will be back under center this week.
Both teams will be facing their first divisional test of the young season on Sunday. Tampa Bay hopes for a better showing against NFC South foes this time around after losing all six such encounters in 2006
SERIES HISTORY
New Orleans has a 19-11 lead in its all-time series with Tampa Bay, including a home-and-home sweep last season. The Saints were 24-21 home winners in Week 5, and emerged from Raymond James Stadium with a 31-14 victory in Week 9. The Buccaneers swept 2005's series, including a 27-13 home win in Week 17. New Orleans has won in four of its last five trips to Tampa Bay.
Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden has a 5-6 career record against the Saints, including 4-6 since taking over in Tampa prior to the 2002 season. New Orleans' Sean Payton is 2-0 against both Gruden and the Bucs as a head coach.
WHEN THE SAINTS HAVE THE BALL
New Orleans topped the NFL with an average of over 280 passing yards per game last season, but its air attack was effectively held in check by the Colts on Opening Night. Quarterback Drew Brees managed to complete 28-of-41 throws, but totaled just 192 yards and was intercepted twice. The big plays that were prevalent in Payton's multi-look offense a year ago were non-existent in Week 1, as the Saints had only one gain of more than 13 yards against Indy.
Former 49er Eric Johnson had a solid debut for New Orleans in the opener, as the tight end compiled team-bests of 57 receiving yards on eight catches. Top wideout Marques Colston had six grabs but only managed 47 yards, while dangerous running back Reggie Bush was limited to a mere seven receiving yards on four receptions. The second-year standout caught 88 passes from Brees during his impressive rookie campaign.
Neither Bush (12 carries, 38 yards in Week 1) nor backfield mate Deuce McAllister (10 carries, 38 years) put up big numbers running the ball in the Saints' season debut, although New Orleans basically abandoned the run game after falling behind big in the second half.
Brees noticeably struggled against Indianapolis' Cover-2 zone system, the same scheme utilized for years by Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. Tampa Bay's secondary is likely to be more vulnerable to the big play than that of the Colts, especially with veteran cornerback Brian Kelly questionable to play due to a groin injury and an untested rookie, Tanard Jackson, manning the all-important free safety position. If Kelly can't go, the serviceable Phillip Buchanon will line up opposite five-time All-Pro Ronde Barber.
The Bucs ranked a mediocre 17th in defending the run last year (119.8 ypg) but did a decent job last Sunday containing Seattle's Shaun Alexander, who had 105 yards but averaged a pedestrian 3.9 yards per rush. Middle linebacker Barrett Ruud had an active day in defeat, as the third-year pro racked up 13 tackles, forced a fumble, and recovered a loose ball. Strong safety Jermaine Phillips finished with 10 tackles and had one of Tampa Bay's two sacks of the Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck. End Gaines Adams, Tampa's top pick in last April's draft, saw limited action and had just one tackle.
WHEN THE BUCCANEERS HAVE THE BALL
Although it didn't show in the opener, the Buccaneers offense is in much better hands this year with the savvy Garcia at the controls. The 37-year-old, who hit on 19-of-27 passes for 201 yards versus Seattle, is intelligent, accurate, and rarely turns the ball over. He seems to already have a good rapport with fellow old-timer Joey Galloway, who caught five passes for 72 yards on Sunday and remains a dangerous deep receiving threat. However, someone among the group of Ike Hilliard (4 receptions, 49 yards), Michael Clayton (1 reception, 11 yards) and Maurice Stovall has to emerge as a viable option aside from Galloway for Tampa Bay's passing game to improve, and a young offensive line that yielded five sacks to the Seahawks must do a better job of protecting Garcia.
With Williams likely sidelined, rushing duties will primarily fall on capable 10-year pro Michael Pittman and seldom-used Earnest Graham. Look for Pittman, an excellent receiver who had 49 yards on four grabs in Week 1, to play a big role in the aerial game plan on Sunday.
Garcia should find some soft spots in a New Orleans secondary that was lit up for 288 passing yards and 452 total yards by the Colts. David (4 tackles) was brought in over the offseason to shore up one cornerback spot, but he was burned for three long touchdowns by his ex-Indianapolis teammates. The Saints also failed to register a sack of Manning despite the presence of two outstanding ends in Will Smith (2 tackles) and Charles Grant (5 tackles).
New Orleans also did a subpar job against the run in the opener, as Indianapolis piled up 164 rushing yards as a team and top back Joseph Addai ran for 118 on 23 attempts. Rushing defense was also a problem area for the Saints last year, as the club ranked just 23rd in that category (128.9 ypg).
FANTASY FOCUS
Brees owners will be expecting a much better return on their investment this week, and it's certainly reasonable to anticipate a rebound. The Pro Bowl quarterback had two excellent games against the Buccaneers last season, including a 314-yard, three-touchdown performance in New Orleans' 31-14 victory at Raymond James Stadium. Colston had 11 catches totaling 123 yards in that game, while counterpart Devery Henderson hauled in two long scoring throws from Brees. Bush should also be a solid play as a No. 2 back or flex player, as Payton and Brees will target him often in the passing game.
Tampa Bay's best fantasy prospect for Sunday is Galloway, who scored both of his team's touchdowns in that aforementioned loss to the Saints and presents a stern challenge for New Orleans' vulnerable secondary. Williams is a must- sit, but Pittman should be able to generate some points with a likely increased workload.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Those who believe last week's lopsided loss was just an off night by the Saints and are expecting an authoritative bounce-back performance this Sunday may be in for a surprise. New Orleans' defensive liabilities that were exposed by the Colts are a serious problem, and Garcia's moxie and Galloway's field- stretching capability may be just enough for Tampa Bay to spring the upset. Brees' shaky outing against Indianapolis and a similar showing in last year's NFC Championship Game loss to Chicago -- another Cover 2 team -- are also causes for concern. The Buccaneers don't possess nearly as formidable a pass rush or the overall defensive talent as those other two teams, however, so Saints backers shouldn't have too much to fret. New Orleans' longer preparation time and superior personnel will eventually win out in a tight contest.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Saints 24, Buccaneers 20
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