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Bucs sideline

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 23, 2001

THE FIRST WORD

Considering the efficiency of the Saints' pass rush, New Orleans routinely plays man-to-man defense on the corners rather than a cover-two zone. The attacking defensive scheme is predicated on the defensive line applying so much pressure that opposing quarterbacks are forced into hasty decisions. "I think we know what's coming," quarterback Brad Johnson said. "I think we have to lead with the punch up front. I think we can't sit back on our heels and take the hits from them. We have to attack them. They're going to attack us."

DID YOU KNOW?

Running back Warrick Dunn hasn't had the best season carrying the ball, but has done better as a receiver. Dunn enters today's game with 61 catches for 497 yards. Only Keyshawn Johnson has more catches. Dunn is four from setting a single-season career high, and, with three games left, he has an outside shot at reaching James Wilder's 1985 franchise record of 85 catches as a running back.

FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING

11 -- Interceptions thrown by Brad Johnson, only seven teams have fewer picks.

21 -- Sacks for the Saints defense in the past three games.

68 -- Times the Bucs have been flagged for a penalty, seventh lowest in the league.

70 -- Catches by the Bucs No. 2, 3 and 4 receivers combined.

100 -- Catches by Keyshawn Johnson.

WHEN LAST THEY MET

The Bucs responded from a 3-0 deficit to score 17 consecutive points and pull away for a 31-16 win in New Orleans on Nov. 7, 1999. Jacquez Green caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trent Dilfer, one of three Dilfer threw that day, kicker Martin Gramatica recovered a fumble, tight end Dave Moore hung on to an onside kick, and running back Mike Alstott sealed the win with a 25-yard touchdown run.

MAKES YOU GO HMMM

The Bucs' running game is ranked 30th in the NFL, yet Alstott leads the NFC with eight rushing scores. ... Brad Johnson has 308 completions, which puts him in a tie with Steve DeBerg for the team's single-season completion record. ... The Saints and the Bucs have played 19 times, with New Orleans leading with 13 victories, including five of the past seven games. ... Defensive end Simeon Rice had one sack through the first seven games this season. He has seven in the past six games.

THE LAST WORD

"They're real good, a very, very good defense. Their guy in the secondary is Sammy Knight, who I went to school with at Southern California. He's playing at a very high, Pro Bowl level. He's always been that way. He's not a fast guy by any means, but he continues to make play after play, the same way he did in college. That was a smart move by (former coach) Mike Ditka." -- Keyshawn Johnson on facing the Saints defensive secondary.

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