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QB’s

SaintsDrew Brees

In last years’ games, Brees torched the Bucs secondary.  He was a combined 45-65 for 495 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 0 picks for a 142 QB rating.  We contained Green in the game where BK wasn’t hurt, but with BK out this weekend, Brees could have another big day.  Phillip Buchanon is a much better man defender than Juran Bolden who was the starter last season, but I would still expect Brees to come out hurling it. 

Bucs – Jeff Garcia

Garcia looked adequate last weekend vs the Seahawks, but once Caddy went out, it went downhill.  The Seahawks did a good job of containing Garcia to the pocket and taking away his feet.  I would expect this to be the same strategy from Saints coach Sean Payton this weekend.  I want Garcia to occasionally look away from the middle dump off, and look to move the ball downfield, but I may be asking something out of a QB who just does not have the arm strengh to accomplish what I’m looking for.  The Saints secondary is garbage, and Caddy might not play, so I’d expect at least 30+ passes from Garcia on Sunday.

ADVANTAGE – SAINTS


RB’S

SaintsReggie Bush/Duece McCalister

Last week the Colts did a good job of shutting down the Saints running attack, although I believe with only 22 rushes that the Saints did not pound the ball down the throat of a team who is suspect at stopping the run.  I would expect Payton to realize this mistake and attempt to ram the ball down our throats.  Reggie Bush did not hurt us on the ground in either game last year, but as any real Bucs fan knows, Deuce is one of our Achilles Heels’.  He hit us up for 123 in the first meeting last year.  I would expect at least 35 combined carries for the two backs. 

BucsMichael Pittman/Cadillac Williams/Ernest Graham

In our first meeting last season, Caddy had a superb day with his only 100 yard game of the season.  Last week against the Saints, Joseph Addai looked unstoppable at times.  The Saints still have suspect linebackers, interior d lineman and safeties, so running the ball against them is very doable.  It would be an unfortunate outing for Williams to miss as I think the Bucs would have tried to pound the Cadillac down there throats.  He is questionable and the Bucs could be in for some trouble if he isn’t able to go.

ADVANTAGE – SAINTS


OLINE

Saints

The Oline looked pretty dismal last week against the Colts, as it seemed as though Brees was pressured to throw a lot.  They have a true franchise LT in Jamaal Brown, but other than that nobody on their line is a standout player.  The Bucs could pressure Brees as well as the Colts did last weekend. 

Bucs

Our line was poor at best last weekend.  With two new starters on the left side, I kind of expected as much.  What I did not expect was a subpar and flag riddled performance from up and coming RG Davin Joseph.  Trueblood and Petigout have their work cut out for them this weekend as Will Smith and Charles Grant are one of the best tandems in the game. 

ADVANTAGE – BUCS


DLine

Saints

As mentioned earlier, the Saints boast one of the best tandems in the league at end.  Charles Grant is a good run stopper and can contribute 8 or sacks a year, and Will Smith is a premier young pass rusher.  Last week though, they generated a grand total of 0 sacks, and allowed Joseph Addai to run for 118 yards.  With a not healthy Caddy, I wouldn’t expect them to yield as much on the ground.  Petigout and Trueblood did a good job last week handling the Seattle ends, and believe they will be able to hold there own vs the Saints. 

Bucs

The Bucs DL themselves only generated one sack last week, so I don’t want to be overzealous in my guestimation of there performance last week.  We did a good job of containing Shaun Alexander early, it was only when our offense could not generate yardage, and the D was on the field repeatedly did the former MVP start rolling.  Jon Stinchcomb is average at best, and Kevin Carter and Greg Spires should be able to generated some solid pressure from the LDE spot.  Rookie Gaines Adams has another tough assignment in week 2 going up against the aforementioned Jamaal Brown.  Haye and Hovan should be able to collapse the pocket for Brees as well as maintain solid run support (i.e. Colts last week).

Advantage – Bucs


Linebackers

Saints

The Saints have 3 hard working starters at the ‘backer spots, but all lack elite ability.  They got exposed last week as Peyton was finding dump offs, as well as intermediate routes that were the responsbility of Shanle and Fujita.  The linebacking spots are a true weak spot of the Saints, and I was personally a little surprised they did not start getting exposed last year.  I happen to like what Garcia might be able to do against this unit. 

Bucs

Barret Ruud was a monster in his first game as an opening day starter.  He had 13 tackles and was seemingly in on so many other plays.  Derrick Brooks got burned down the field on a TD pass by Hasselbeck and missed a few tackles as well but still ended up with 8 tackles.  Cato June only had 3 tackles, but he will be lacking big tackle totals at the Sam spot on our defense.   Quincy Black saw the field a few times last week and gives us a nice 1 man utility linebacker as he can play all of our spots on D. 

Advantage – Bucs


DB’s

Saints

If the Saints have one other glaring hole on D besides there ‘backers, it’s certainly at the DB spot.  Peyton exposed Jason David last week as a product of the Cover 2 system, and it seemed as though the Colts wanted to show David and the Saints that he isn’t very good.  Mike McKenzie is an above average man corner, but gambles too much.  The Colts threw the ball to 6 different receivers, and I expect Gruden to try and do more of the same this week. 

Bucs

Hasselbeck went 17 of 24 against this unit so I do not want to heap too much praise on them, even though I like them as a collective unit.  Ronde Barber is not a cover corner, and Brian Kelly being out this week is not going to help our lack of depth at man to man cornerback.  Rookie Tanard Jackson had a solid but unspectacular game.  Jermaine Phillips was all over the field and had 10 tackles and a sack.  This unit is going to have a tough time gaurding Marques Colston and Eric Johnson this week.  I expect them both to have good games. 

Advantage – Bucs


I think the Saints have some glaring defensive holes that should have been exposed last season.  There linebackers and defensive backs are just lacking in above average players.  The only problem though is we did not show a true ability to move the ball down the field and be able to challenge the Saints weak CB’s last week vs the Seahawks.  I do think that Pittman and Graham will have average success, and Garcia should be able to generate lots of throws in the intermediate range.  Look for Pittman to end the game with a lot of catches.  Just like most games in the NFL though, this game will be decided in the trenches.  If either Dline can generate significant pressure, the game is in that teams’ hands.  The Bucs are going to have generate pressure to have any chance of victory.  Brees and Colston will have a field day against if we can’t.

Prediction – I don’t do Bucs predictions!!!