They say good things come to those who wait. Well, the Bucs definitely had to wait for officials to finish reviewing a Deuce McAllister run early in the first quarter. The wait was well worth the time, though. When officials finally ruled McAllister had fumbled following a Barrett Ruud hit (and apparent recovery), the stage was set for the Bucs' first score. That came eight plays later and largely was the result of two big plays by QB Jeff Garcia, but it was Jon Gruden's decision to challenge the initial ruling on McAllister's run that got them the ball. ...more

September 17, 2007

In addressing the defense in team meetings Saturday night, Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin threw out a number. ...more

September 17, 2007

WHAT WENT RIGHT FOR BUCS: Jon Gruden's challenge of Deuce McAllister's apparent fumble went in Tampa Bay's favor. Instead of the Saints having a first down at the Bucs' 43, the Bucs had the ball and, eight plays later, a 7-0 lead. ...more

September 16, 2007

This was a problem for the Bucs last year. They would move the ball between the 20s, but would come up short of the end zone and settle for a field goal. You're not going to win a lot of games that way. Not unless you have a stellar defense, and we're not sure the Bucs have that this year. It's incumbent upon the offense then to get the ball into the end zone, which shouldn't be all that difficult. This is not a team void of offensive weapons. With players such as Alex Smith, Maurice Stovall and Michael Clayton, it's a team seemingly built for success inside the red zone. Better execution there will lead to a better overall result. ...more

September 16, 2007

They get solid performances out of QB Drew Brees and RBs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. This triple threat has the ability to give defenses fits because Brees, McAllister and Bush have the ability to consistently keep defenses off balance. No one in this group has to play great to be effective. All three are good enough to make an impact just by playing well. ...more

September 16, 2007

The Bucs aren't kidding themselves. They know one bad game won't unnerve Drew Brees. ...more

September 15, 2007

The key to success on the defensive side of the ball is three-fold: Stop the run, pressure the passer and eliminate big plays. ...more

September 14, 2007

Each week during the season, The Tampa Tribune will challenge a columnist from the Bucs' opposing city to a Throwdown, to determine the superior city - and which team will come out ahead. This week's Throwdown features the Tribune's Martin Fennelly against Benjamin Hochman of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. ...more

September 13, 2007