TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bucs Shame Saints At Home Opener

ADVERTISEMENT

A Tribune staff report

Published: September 17, 2007

WHAT WAS GOOD

The Bucs won their home opener and won it convincingly against the defending division champions and a team expected to make the playoffs again.

Tampa Bay's offense AND defense contributed to the upset. The offense was powered by two Jeff Garcia to Joey Galloway touchdown passes and a pair of 1-yard TD runs by Cadillac Williams, who played with special padding around his sore ribs.

The defense stopped Saints running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush all afternoon and hounded and frustrated Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees.

A win in the NFC South Division; a year ago, the Bucs were 0-6 in division games against New Orleans, Carolina and Atlanta

WHAT WAS BAD

Not much. The Bucs rarely build three-touchdown leads by halftime and coast through the second half. But having the game in hand in the fourth quarter did send a lot of fans home early, as much to escape the oppressive heat as anything.

Then again, there was that bad (as in good) hit by Bucs receiver Michael Clayton on Saints free safety Kevin Kaesviharn that helped spring Galloway on his 69-yard TD catch.

WHAT'S NEXT

It's too early to start printing playoff tickets, but the Bucs needed Sunday's win to avoid an 0-2 start and more heat on Coach Jon Gruden.

Next up for the Bucs are the St. Louis Rams, who are 0-2, Sunday at 1 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. With road games at Carolina and Indianapolis on tap next, Tampa Bay's chances for a turnaround season would be stronger with a second consecutive victory at home and some momentum heading out of town.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT