In its season of redemption, the Tampa Bay defense just turned a pair of Pro Bowl quarterbacks into journeymen. ...more

September 24, 2007

TITANS-SAINTS WHEN: 8:30 p.m. WHERE: The Superdome, New Orleans TV/CREW: ESPN (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser, Suzy Kolber, Michele Tafoya) ABOUT THE TITANS: This is Tennessee's first MNF appearance since 2004 and Coach Jeff Fisher is 3-0 vs. the Saints. Chris Brown is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and the Titans boast the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack. Rookie CB Michael Griffin is making an impact as a kick returner. ABOUT THE SAINTS: New Orleans is facing a must-win scenario in its home opener. The defending NFC South champ has been ripped for 72 points and 782 yards without posting a sack or an interception. Drew Brees averages a mere 5.32 yards per pass attempt, well off last year's 7.97 mark. KEY STAT: Vince Young of the Titans is 3-1 against NFC opponents, with five TD passes and one scoring run. KEY MATCHUP: Can DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith keep Young in the pocket, where he is far less dangerous than when he breaks containment? INJURY UPDATE: Titans: Out-TE Casey Cramer (hamstring). Questionable-CB Cortland Finnegan (hamstring), P Craig Hentrich (back). Saints: Out-S Jay Bellamy (ankle). Questionable-DT Kendrick Clancy (toe). IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Saints, 38-17 ...more

September 24, 2007

He broke on through. After all the years beating his head against a wall at NFL training camps until his heart was broken, after NFL Europe, after starring in Arena games, all those back roads, here was his moment. ...more

September 21, 2007

Monte Kiffin couldn't curb his enthusiasm. The Bucs had put a big dent in the New Orleans Saints' plans to repeat as NFC South champions, and their defensive coordinator wanted everyone to know his defense had as much to do with the victory as anyone. ...more

September 20, 2007

TAMPA Monte Kiffin couldn't curb his enthusiasm. The Bucs had put a big dent in the New Orleans Saints' plans to repeat as NFC South champions, and their defensive coordinator wanted everyone to know his defense had as much to do with the victory as anyone. ...more

September 19, 2007

The curse of the NFC South is alive and well. The NFL's most mercurial division has served up another dash of gumbo with the defending champion Saints 0-2 following Sunday's lopsided loss to the Bucs. No NFC South winner has repeated since the 2002 realignment and New Orleans is facing long odds just to get back into the playoff picture. ...more

September 18, 2007

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

That was thorough. Total. Complete. That was the Bucs? Sure was. After a tumultuous opening week where practically every bit of news about this team was bad, they turned Sunday's home-opener into a festival by routing New Orleans 31-14. ...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