TAMPA - The Bucs lost out on three points and a chance for some momentum when Martin Gramatica's 36-yard field-goal attempt went wide left with three seconds left in the first half.
Gramatica has connected on just 2-of-8 from 30 yards and beyond this season, but said Sunday's miss stung a bit more given the final score.
"I just pulled it," Gramatica said. "It's tough because I missed a kick that would have put us up on top. That's always tough."
O-LINE SHUFFLE: A pair of injuries led the Bucs to switch four on the starting offensive line, leaving center John Wade as the only lineman at his normal position. Roman Oben was inactive after trying to play last week with a cast on his broken right hand. In his place, right tackle Kenyatta Walker started on the left side with reserve Cornell Green getting his first start of the season at right tackle.
At right guard, Jason Whittle was scratched with a left shoulder sprain, and left guard Cosey Coleman shifted over to take his place with backup Kerry Jenkins stepping in to start at left guard.
"The guys played really well up front, considering everything that was happening," said quarterback Brad Johnson, who was sacked four times. "The sacks I took, I thought, were more coverage sacks than anything."
HEAR THIS: Despite the 4-4 start, receiver Keyshawn Johnson said he is confident this is a team that can and will find its way into the playoffs.
"We'll make the playoffs," he said. "Just go ahead and say, "Keyshawn Johnson said he's Jim Fassel. The team's going to make the playoffs.' You can say I guaranteed it."
MEA CULPA: Tim Wansley played well at cornerback, holding Saints receiver Joe Horn to four catches for 39 yards, but his fumbled punt return in the fourth could have been costly. John Carney's ensuing 39-yard field-goal attempt went wide left, but Wansley still was bothered by his mistake.
"I've got to take care of the ball. It's all me," Wansley said. "I'm glad that field goal did not go through those uprights. It still matters to me, but it was kind of a relief to see that ball go to the left."
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: It didn't take long for David Gibson, a former Buc who started nine games for the Colts last season, to make an impact just four days after he was signed. He tackled Saints return specialist Michael Lewis on the opening kickoff.
"An opportunity like this is welcome, but you never want anyone to get hurt," Gibson said. "I just want to play football and I'm glad to be back in the mix."
Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said it speaks highly of Gibson that he can go from being out of the league to on the field in key situations in a matter of days.
"Gibson just got off the bus, and he's in there at the most critical time of the year," Kiffin said. "I think I remember you. What's your name?' Next thing you know, he's out there in a red-zone situation at the end of the game."
STREAKS CONTINUE: Simeon Rice's sack of quarterback Aaron Brooks in the second quarter extended the Bucs streak of consecutive games with at least one sack to 68, matching the Cowboys (1976-80) for longest streak in the NFL since the league began keeping track of team sacks in 1963.
Derrick Brooks' interception in the third quarter extended the team's streak of games with at least one takeaway to 49, the second-longest run in the NFL since 1983. Philadelphia went 71 games with at least one from 1985-90.
