Tampa Bay players, coaches and staff just arrived in New Orleans and they already had their game faces on for Sunday’s season opener against the Saints.

After a 90-minute flight from Tampa, the Bucs checked into their posh downtown hotel, only a mile from the Superdome, in preparation for team meetings Saturday night.

Five days after Hurrricane Gustav battered the Crescent City with torrential rain and strong winds, the French Quarter was slowly returning to normal. Many restaurants reopened Friday evenning, but the number of tourists was down significantly on Saturday afternoon.

While there were a few dozen fans with Bucs hats and T-shirts strolling Bourbon Street, the scene was subdued as many shops remained closed. Street musicians were just beginning to reappear as the city attempted to return to normalcy in the wake of a powerful storm that prompted a massive evacuation.

The Saints were determined to keep the game at the Superdome, if possible, rather than shift the site to San Antonio or Tampa. The Superdome may not be sold out Sunday as the Bucs open defense of their division title, knowing no NFC South champion has ever repeated.

QB Jeff Garcia strolled through the hotel lobby and didn’t appear to be in any discomfort, despite a jammed pinkie on his right throwing hand that landed him on the injury list Friday. Coach Jon Gruden, sporting earphones and a focused look, was greeted by a few Buc supporters upon his arrival.

A loss Sunday would not be devastating, but the Bucs realize the importantance of division games. Despite losing its season opener at Seattle last year, Tampa Bay went on to capture its third division crown in Gruden’s six seasons.

The Bucs went 4-2 against NFC South rivals in the 2002 championship season, 5-1 within the division in 2005 and 5-1 again in the division last year. In their other three seasons under Gruden, the Bucs were a combined 4-14 vs. the NFC South.