Back to the Bucs Report

The Writers

Roy Cummings

Ira Kaufman

 @RCummingsTrib
 @IKaufmanTrib
 TBO Buccaneers
 Ask a question

More Links:

• Roster
• Schedule
• Statistics
• Email Updates

Most Recent Entries

• UD unveils Military Machines inserts for 2012 Goodwin Champions set
• Rays @ BoSox: Guyer out for the season, Jennings close to returning and lineups
• USF softball: It’s game day
• Weekly Tampa Bay fishing report
• Rays at BoSox: Rivalry renewed
• Karen Cooley returns as Zephyrhills girls swimming coach
• USF beats Pitt, stays alive
• The Nerds head north
• Jeffrey Shank out as Gulf boys basketball coach
• Berkeley Prep captures Academic Team Champion Award - again
• This week’s signings and offers
• Berkeley Prep wins FHSAA Academic Award standings
• Shank out as Gulf boys hoops coach
• Be prepared for year’s busiest boating weekend
• Train and O.A.R. added to summer concert series

More

• Bucs Report -Tribune staff
• Rays Report - Roger Mooney
• Bolts Report - Erik Erlendsson
• Bulls Report
• Prep Report - Hillsborough
• Prep Report - Pasco
• Prep Report - Region
• Prep Report - Recruiting Updates
• Prep Report - Football
• Go Fishing: On The Waterfront
• The Sports Bookie - Bob D'Angelo
• Gators Report - Tribune staff
• Youth Sports Report
• NFL Draft Report
• Go Ask: Frank's Tacklebox
• Bucified Bert Blog
• BUK Power - Bucs Fan Blog
• Pigskin Preacher - NFL Fan Blog
• Breakfast Bonus - Tom McEwen
• Highlands Sports

Monthly Archives

• May 2012
• April 2012
• March 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011

Bucs secondary gears up for Brees

Posted Oct 25, 2011 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Oct 25, 2011 at 03:07 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—The Buccaneers have thrived where others fear to tread.

Under head coach Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay has reeled off two consecutive wins at the Superdome heading into a crucial NFC South matchup at New Orleans Nov. 6. A victory after the bye week would give the Bucs a share of the division lead while a loss against the Saints would drop Tampa Bay two games behind at the halfway point of the 2011 season.

Drew Brees, the only quarterback in the NFL with more pass attempts than Josh Freeman, has been contained by the Bucs in three of the past five meetings—all Tampa Bay victories. Brees has three TD passes and four interceptions in those three losses, compared to six TD passes and only one pick in the two times Tampa Bay has lost to New Orleans under Morris.

In his role as defensive coordinator, Morris relishes the challenge of facing Brees and a dynamic attack designed by Saints head coach Sean Payton. The Bucs know there will be opportunities to make plays against Brees, who has the confidence to try to squeeze passes into tight coverage.

The Bucs registered three picks against Brees in Tampa, aided by a consistent pass rush that regularly forced him out of the pocket. That 26-20 victory was huge because the Bucs could now be staring at a 3-4 record and a 3-game losing streak that might have sapped confidence from the league’s youngest team.

Without injured Earnest Graham, the Bucs need running back LeGarrette Blount to return from a knee sprain and eat up clock, keeping Brees stewing on the sidelines. The New Orleans game is also a good opportunity for CB Aqib Talib to atone for a late personal foul flag that contributed to Sunday’s loss to the Bears in London.

Talib’s lack of discipline gave Chicago a fresh set of downs and robbed the Bucs of valuable minutes when they gained possession trailing by six points. Instead of hurrying, Freeman could have had plenty of time to forge one of his patented fourth-quarter comebacks.