Cornerback Ronde Barber on the mounting frustration with three home losses:
"It's a loss at home, another tough loss at home and we have to deal with it. We'll find a way. I'm tired of talking about excuses with this team. As (defensive backs coach) Mike (Tomlin) says, they're tools for incompetence. We're a capable team. We have to play that way."
Defensive end Simeon Rice on coping with the Bucs' slew of injuries:
"There are injuries all over the NFL. You look at New England, they have them. Look at the team today. They lost guys during the game. I mean, that's just football. You can't look at that. It's not an excuse for us, and I need not explain that."
Defensive tackle Warren Sapp on his team's slow start, scoreless in the first half:
"We went through almost the whole first half of the game sleepwalking on offense. They didn't score that much off the turnovers. One they came out and got a touchdown and then another. And other than that, they didn't have much going all day long except at the end of the game where they moved the ball and got into field goal range. You have to take your hat off to them. They executed at the end of the game when they had to."
Linebacker Derrick Brooks on staying positive despite 4-4 record:
"The first thought that came to my mind is that we are 4-4, and we faced a 4-4 football team in the Super Bowl. That was my thought, walking into the tunnel. Why can't that be us this year? That's what I'm going to keep my focus on."
Coach Jon Gruden on inability to win two straight:
"Well, it's a team we're all getting to know, honestly. We have four new starters on the line, and you have a new fullback, and you have a new third receiver and you have a new second tight end and three or four new guys on defense. It impacts your play on special teams. We felt we had numerous opportunities to sustain drives and make some plays. We were unable to get it done. I take credit for it."
Gruden on turnovers, especially those in Saints territory:
"A couple of those turnovers were in the red zone when we were going in for some kind of scoring opportunity. We had careless play in the return game again and fumbled the ball there. (It's) hard to get any kind of momentum, hard to get the crowd in any kind of excited mode when you're shooting yourself in the foot and turning the football over. It's unfortunate. It's inexcusable, and it's something that is going to prohibit us from being any kind of good football team."
SAINTS
Deuce McAllister, who rushed for 110 yards, on the final drive for the win:
"Two minutes is too much time. It's too much time for an offense of our caliber. Everybody has to be on the same page, make plays and give the kicker a chance. He missed one, but (John) Carney isn't going to miss many. He came over and told me he was going to make it, and I said, "All right, I'm going to get some water.' And he nailed it."
Michael Lewis, whose 38-yard catch was his first NFL touchdown reception:
"I kind of hesitated because I knew it was kind of high and wasn't going to go deep. So I just slowed down and jumped up and got it at its highest point, so I could have the ball - I was actually playing Joe (Horn's) position until he comes back. Just kind of keeping it warm for him. Then, (Saturday), the coach came to me and said, "Mike, you might have to go out and play X.' I know X, so I feel comfortable."
Linebacker Derrick Rodgers who recovered a fumble:
"I saw a lot of guys flying around giving little hints of what we can be if we come together and make plays. I take my hat off to special teams, the offense. Whenever we needed a play, somebody stepped up and made a play. I think that's a sign of a team coming together."
Defensive end Willie Whitehead, who had three of the Saints' four sacks:
"It's a tremendous win. To come back from last week (loss to Carolina) is a big motivational booster, and we can build on that. I give it up to the whole team. These guys played hard, especially on defense. Guys were worn out and tired and still fought to the end."
Quarterback Aaron Brooks, who passed for 71 yards in each half:
"I thought that everyone came out and played their hearts out, and that is what it takes for us to get a victory against the world champions. Those guys are a very good football team over there. They're the defending world champions, and my hat goes off to them, but at the same time, we deserve the credit today."
Coach Jim Haslett on his confidence in his kicker despite an earlier miss:
"We needed to get the ball to the 32-yard line to give John (Carney) a kick. I know he missed one earlier, but if I had my life riding on my kick, I would want John Carney. Our motto this week was Play to Win. We faked punts, we went for it on fourth down at the 50-yard line. We were here to win."
