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Wide Right: Bucs-Saints Notes

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2008

Player Of The Game

Elite quarterbacks shake off mistakes and Drew Brees made a whopper in the first quarter, throwing up a duck that Phillip Buchanon ran back 26 yards to tie the score at 7.

But Brees is also the savvy leader who realized DE Gaines Adams was offside late in the third quarter, so he flung a long pass downfield and Devery Henderson hauled in an 84-yard TD that put the Saints ahead 17-13.

"That was magnificent, and he knew it was a free play because Tampa Bay was penalized," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He does some of those things that give you a ton of trust in calling plays."

Brees completed his first six attempts and hit on 23 of 32 passes for 343 yards and three TDs, operating against a pass defense that was ranked No. 1 in 2007.

"It was great to get a win after the city of New Orleans was displaced all week because of the hurricane," Brees said. "It was a great way to start the season off."

On The Clock

Sunday's loss, coupled with victories by Atlanta and Carolina, dropped the Bucs into the division basement after Week 1. No NFC South champion has repeated since the NFL realigned into eight divisions in 2002.

"Last year we lost the opener at Seattle, but it wasn't a division game," veteran WR Ike Hilliard said. "We've already got some ground to make up."

The Bucs went a combined 14-4 against the NFC South when winning three division crowns. In Coach Jon Gruden's other three seasons, Tampa Bay was 4-14 within the NFC South.

The Falcons roll into Raymond James Stadium coming off a 34-21 triumph against the Lions. The Bucs swept Atlanta last season by a combined margin of 68-10.

Caged Tiger

Bucs WR Joey Galloway had torched New Orleans for nine TDs in seven games and nobody was more aware of those numbers than Saints coach Sean Payton.

Although Galloway caught six passes from Jeff Garcia on Sunday, he averaged only 9.3 yards per catch, with a long gain of 13 yards. Considering Galloway is one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats, the Saints contained him well, especially with veteran CB Mike McKenzie inactive while recovering from a torn ACL.

"I thought our technique was good," Payton said. "We did a good job of staying on top of the over routes and we kind of challenged them this week. We heard a lot of talk about this 'white tiger' so we kind of challenged our guys on the back end and I thought they responded very well."

Quotables

•"I'm not happy about it. It's one of those situations where you have to roll with the punches. I knew this was going to happen. My reps were cut short last week ... they never told me why." - Bucs WR Michael Clayton, who didn't dress against the Saints

•"They're an explosive team, but we beat ourselves this afternoon." - Bucs DT Chris Hovan

•"They changed their whole game plan at halftime and went to quick passes." - Saints DE Charles Grant

•"We pass protected pretty good, honestly. They beefed it up here pass rush and the Saints will be a handful for everybody this year." - Bucs coach Jon Gruden

• "I think I answered a lot of questions today about still playing at a high level." - TE Jeremy Shockey on his New Orleans debut following a trade from the Giants

•"That crowd was rocking today and we ran out of time at the end." - Bucs TE Alex Smith

By The Numbers

9.1 - Earnest Graham's average yards per carry in 10 attempts.

0-for-8 - Tampa Bay's success rate on third down through the first three quarters.

Jan. 1, 2005 - The last time a Bucs player (Michael Pittman, also vs. New Orleans) posted a longer run than Graham's 46-yard burst off right tackle in the third quarter.

124.9 - Drew Brees' passer rating.

71.3 - Jeff Garcia's passer rating.

69,881 - The impressive turnout at the Superdome, only six days after Hurricane Gustav roared through New Orleans, forcing a mass evacuation.

Ira Kaufman

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