BucShotz

By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published December 2, 2007

The poll

Which play made by a Bucs veteran was biggest in last week's win over the Redskins?

Inside the numbers

6 Bucs coach Jon Gruden has six career victories against the Saints. And he has six losses against the Saints. He is 5-6 against the Saints with the Bucs.

8 The Saints have allowed only eight sacks this season, the fewest in the NFL.

19 The Saints have won 19 of 31 meetings between the teams, but the Bucs have won five of the past eight meetings, including a 31-14 victory this season.

62 Bucs receiver Ike Hilliard has caught 120 passes in 43 games with the team, and 62 percent of those catches (74) have resulted in first downs, including 31 of 51 this season.

What they're saying

A lot has been written and said about the play of linebacker Derrick Brooks and cornerback Ronde Barber, and for good reason: They continue to make big plays. But what about linebacker Barrett Ruud? All he's done is produce a team-high 93 tackles.

If I'm Drew Brees, I stay away from him. Brees is the key to what happens here. Let's face it, without Jeff Garcia, the Bucs will struggle to score. So Brees better avoid mistakes. The guy has been a paragon of inconsistency this year and was underwhelming when Tampa Bay crushed these guys this season.

Bottom line: The Saints win this one if they have a pulse on offense. If they turn the ball over, they're in trouble. You don't beat Tampa Bay by giving the Bucs short fields and easy touchdowns.

Clark Judge,CBS Sports

The Bucs are playing some pretty salty defense, but without Jeff Garcia, they resemble the Ravens on offense.

David Gladow,New Orleans Times-Picayune

Q&A

With Saints coach Sean Payton

Based on what Joey Galloway has done against you over the past few games, is stopping him a priority?

"He has to be. He's made some big plays, and one of the things that we've focused on and will focus on in this game plan is eliminating the big plays. We have to do a better job of that or else all the other things that we do well will go to waste. If we can't keep him from getting behind us and if he's able to do those same types of things that he's done, then we'll struggle again."

The Eagles double-teamed Randy Moss when they played the Patriots last week. Will you have a similar approach to Galloway?

"I'm not going to sit here and talk about our game plan, but I think you have to be mindful of where he's at - they play him in the slot, they play him out wide - and I think you have to have a great understanding of his splits and what they're trying to accomplish within their play-action or their drop-back passing. He's someone that we have to account for."

New Orleans Times-Picayune

The pick

How exactly would you like me to pick this game? Okay, I've flipped the coin, and it comes up ... Saints. As I write this, it appears Jeff Garcia's back is iffy for the game on the hard turf of the Superdome. If he plays four quarters, Tampa's going to win. If he's inactive, or plays little, the Saints will edge the (Luke) McCowns. My money's on the back staying ouchy. Saints, 15-13.

Peter King,Sports Illustrated

The poll answers

47%

Derrick Brooks' fourth-down stop

44%

Brian Kelly's interception

9% Ronde Barber's interception

963

total votes

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 16:59:55]