Canal Street Chronicles

How to be a Fan of a Winning Team for Dummies

2009-11-21T16:32:40Z

With the Saints off to the best start of their existence and talks of the Superbowl in the same sentence, fans are having difficulty dealing with being "winners" after a lifetime of losing. How To Be A Fan Of A Winning Team For Dummies has ten commandments that will aid these individuals in their transition from "bagging heads" to bagging trophies. The list of ten commandments follows.

10. Thou shalt NOT drink thyself into a stupor PRIOR to the game.

There is no need to render yourself incapable of understanding what is going on in the game as your team has a real shot at winning and not making a mockery of itself. Drinking yourself into a stupor during the game is acceptable and encouraged.

9. Thou shalt not drink and take shots in order to affect the game.

Your team will come back and can come back from any bad occurence on the field. Jose, Jack, Jim and Johnny in little glasses will have no affect other than to have you miss that amazing moment, because, let's face it, there will be lots of those moments. Drinking for the purposes of alcoholism and celebration are encouraged as stated in #10.

8. Thou shalt not be perturbed by mentionings of TRAP games.

This is simply what fans of losing teams say when their team has no chance of doing anything other than playing spoiler to REAL football teams. These fans should be easy to identify as the look remarkably similar to Saints fans from prior seasons.

7. Thou shalt not be discouraged by media's negative opinion of thy team.

The Saints are being talked about by National media, that should tell you everything. It's much better to be hearing from the media about when they will lose a game as opposed to previous years in which the question was when they may actually win one. The Saints are on a pedestal until someone knocks them off, learn to like it.

6. Thou shalt not avoid wearing of thine jerseys out of fear of rendering thy team and player inept.

This was actually an excuse created by Saints players in the 70s to explain their horrific play. The bag heads came as a result of fans hoping that the counter to wearing jerseys would successfullly lead to winning play and seasons. Since it was a ruse, obviously it didn't work. Wear your jerseys with pride, Brees will still be awesome.

5. Thou shalt talketh the smacketh at every opportunity.

The Saints are winning, you may not get another opportunity! Rub it in everyone's...FACE!

4. Thou shalt not wish for losses out of comfort or fear of apocalypse due to a Saints undefeated season.

Hell may freeze over, but the world won't end. Let's not wish ill on our team in order to feel a little comfortable about something we aren't used to...a great team. Just because we're used to losing, doesn't mean we need to have a loss to feel "centered".

3. Thou shalt not compare thy team to the Patriots, Colts or 72' Dolphins.

The Pats didn't play anyone worthwhile the season they went undefeated, the Colts lucked out against the Pats and the Dolphins didn't play 16 games. The Saints aren't any of those teams. Last week's win against the Rams came with the third and fourth-string cornerbacks, third and fourth-string DTs, and the second-string safety. Drew Brees threw two interceptions and Reggie Bush was hurt in the 4th quarter, yet it still took a goal line fumble and a hail mary to give the Rams even a chance of taking the game. It says a lot to have a team that can win with even its poorest performances. None of those teams could have overcome that, especially not three weeks straight. That translates to a real shot at being undefeated and winning a bowl, but they do need to play more crisp. They will.

2. Thou shalt not wait for the collapse of thy team.

Just because the Saints have a history of losing, doesn't mean that they can't change that history today. It is a defeatist mentality to not expect greatness, so that you aren't let down when you don't achieve. If we as fans continue to expect a collapse from the Saints, we will be creating a "Self-fulfilling Prophecy." If you aren't familiar with the term, the dumbed down version is, "If you think the Saints will collapse, you will be causing them to collapse."

1. Thou shalt cheer is loud as humanly possible no matter where you are in the world!

They can't hear you, scream until they can. While jerseys, trap games, alcohol and media won't affect the outcome of any of these games, fan support will. Stop being fair-weather or negative, start supporting your team. You wouldn't think this would need to be said during an undefeated season.

Feel free to add new commandments, there's no rule that says there must be 10. Mel Brooks proved there were 15 originally!

How the Saints Win on Sunday is More Important Than if They Win

2009-11-21T13:00:12Z

by Jeff Roberson - AP

View full size photo »

The Saints come into their game at Tampa Bay this Sunday having turned the ball over thirteen times in their last four games. Somehow, they've found a way to win all four of those games despite averaging 3.25 turnovers per game. They've been mistake prone, sloppy and vulnerable. That average number is astronomical, and while the Bucs are bad enough that your black and gold could probably afford a few turnovers and still win, I think we should all be hoping for a clean football game. Four times in a row is starting to become a trend and the Saints are starting to make a habit out of winning ugly. Not to sound like a spoiled fan, but how the Saints win this weekend against a weaker team will mean more to me than if they win.

Saints vs Buccaneers coverage

Should the Saints lose Sunday make no mistake: They will officially be stuck in a funk. The Buccaneers are currently 1-8, and while they've played much better football of late, they are clearly in rebuilding mode while the Saints are eyeing a top NFC seed in the playoffs. There would need to be nothing short of a disastrous performance for the Saints to lose or a performance not too different from the performance they put out last weekend at St. Louis.

As evidenced by the Saints play of late, it's not impossible they'll lose this game. I've learned my lesson from last week when St. Louis played what I thought was an excellent game and almost stole one from the Saints at the buzzer. Regardless of how bad the other team is, if the Saints don't play well they won't be given the game. They need to come out this week and stop horsing around with these weaker opponents.

The key is to come out and get a lead early, force the opposition to be one dimensional playing from behind, and then step on their throats. That was the recipe that launched the Saints to 5-0 and that's the recipe that will ultimately lead to success in the playoffs. Plain and simple, the Saints are not playing well enough right now to win a SuperBowl. Through the first five games they were without question. This week is an opportunity to get back to that level of play.

Ultimately this is all about how the offense performs. I'm not worried about the defense because they're facing a raw quarterback in Josh Freeman. He's very talented but he's also prone to mistakes. Facing a defense that leads the league in forced turnovers is not a good matchup for Freeman even if both Saints starting corners are out. He will turn the ball over.

If the Saints play a clean game and avoid turning the ball over themselves, they should have no problems. Most of all, that means you Drew Brees. If you happen to get sacked, make sure you have good ball security in the pocket and avoid those two or three awful reads a game you've been having lately that result in bad interceptions.

Give me your prediction: What will be the turnover differential on Sunday? How many turnovers will each team get?

Death of Drew Brees' mother ruled a suicide

2009-11-21T01:40:29Z

Death of Drew Brees' mother ruled a suicide

WWL

Saints @ Bucs: Friday Injury Report

2009-11-20T22:56:25Z

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Status Report
	OUT	CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee)

	QUESTIONABLE	RB Reggie Bush (knee), DT Sedrick Ellis (knee)

	PROBABLE	C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE David Thomas (knee)
Practice Report
	DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
	Wednesday	RB Reggie Bush (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee), TE David Thomas (knee)
	Thursday	RB Reggie Bush (knee), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee)
	Friday	RB Reggie Bush (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee)

	LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Wednesday	DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee)
	Thursday	DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), S Darren Sharper (knee)
	Friday	DT Sedrick Ellis (knee)

	FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Thursday	TE David Thomas (knee)
	Friday	S Darren Sharper (knee), TE David Thomas (knee)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Status Report

QUESTIONABLE

CB Elbert Mack (ankle)

PROBABLE

WR Antonio Bryant (knee), CB Torrie Cox (not injury related), QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Friday

CB Torrie Cox (not injury related), CB Elbert Mack (ankle)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday

WR Antonio Bryant (knee), QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Thursday

QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow)

Friday

QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Thursday

WR Antonio Bryant (knee), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Friday

WR Antonio Bryant (knee), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Sports Talk...Unplugged with Kenny Wilkerson

2009-11-20T21:55:43Z

Here is yesterday's edition of Sports Talk...Unplugged. It was a makeup show for the missed Tuesday edition and I am a prominent guest on this one so give it a listen and let me know what you think.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Game Predictions

2009-11-20T19:00:13Z

bondcrash

Come on down and make your three predictions for this weeks Saints game against the Bucs. You know the rules.

Word up to CSC member bondcrash for taking last weeks title with his two correct predictions. He won the popular vote thanks to his score prediction so let that be a reminder, don't forget to start your three predictions with a final score guess. In case you missed it, this is how he won it last week:

1) Meachem 1+ TD's

2) Saints secondary gets burned with 3 passing TD's

3) We lose the turnover battle

Score Prediction: Saints 37 - 34

Good luck to everyone this week.

Just checked into the hospital for the second surgery of my road to recovery for next season. Today...

2009-11-20T17:26:49Z

Just checked into the hospital for the second surgery of my road to recovery for next season. Today it's my knee getting help.

Billy Miller
saints83 on Twitter

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chat with the Enemy

2009-11-20T12:00:14Z

The Saints are now just three days away from a crucial division game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their first meeting of the season. In preparation for that matchup, I had a chat with with SB Nation's Tampa Bay blogger, Niko Houllis over at Buc 'Em. Read on to hear his thoughts on Aqib Talib, Josh Freeman and the disappointing season thus far. Niko also wanted to let you guys know that you might want to stop by Buc 'Em this weekend for enemy flashback and classic enemy flashback; some great Bucs/Saints video highlights. Some of our older fans might enjoy that.

CSC: Are you surprised at all by how the season has played out for the Buccaneers? It seemed like most people were expecting this.

BE: No one was really surprised, although I was one of the few on my site that felt we could be competitive more. It would have been easier if the Bucs had told us this was straight-up a rebuilding year, but that doesn't sell season tickets. Now that fans have seen Josh Freeman, most have calmed down a little as they see there is a future.

CSC: How are fans feeling about Josh Freeman? Must be excited. What do you see in him that makes you believe he will be the long term answer at quarterback?

BE: It's now obvious Morris knew what he was talking about when he said if he had the no.1 pick in the whole draft he would have taken Freeman. Josh shows nice poise, and leadership ability too. This is (two) more 4^th quarter comebacks in as many games as we had in the last few years! Its just too bad the defense let the team down, something we are not used to here. We have seen so many players fill the position over the last decade, so we are so happy to see a guy who may be able to fill this thing up for a decade or more.

CSC: Aqib Talib has been a man on fire lately with five interceptions in the last six games. Should Drew Brees be afraid?

BE: I don't think Drew Brees with throw his way, I think he will follow everyone else's suite and throw towards Mack who is struggling in his first year as a starter. Barber, too, is doing a great job shutting down receivers, but you don't hear about him as much. Talib has shut down major receivers, and if Brees and co. are not careful, someone could make him pay. Expect at least one pick Sunday but if there are more, the score could be closer.

CSC: What do you expect the Buccaneers to do to try and beat the Saints that other teams haven't been able to do yet?

BE: We've been able to beat you guys the last couple of years by controlling the clock and keeping your offense off the field. However we have not been running the ball as much or as effective as we wanted to. This will change as starting left guard Aaron Sears has reported to the team but he probably wont be ready to start until our rematch. Expect our running game to be better by then, but that's on the road; traditionally we run better at home.

CSC: Tell us something about the Bucs that would surprise Saints fans to know.

BE: In this age of Blogs and Internet access, there is little I could tell you that would surprise you. The Bucs have new confidence in their kicking game, and in fact, we have the no. 1 Special Teams in the league. Our return game is dangerous, and our cover teams do their jobs thoroughly. We don't Punt very well with 911 punter Dirk Johnson, but new kicker Connor Barth is an instant success with booming kickoffs that go through the uprights when he kicks off, and Barth tied four of the NFL's best of the best kickers to sink 3x 50+ yard FGs in one game.

CSC: Bonus: Care to make a prediction?

BE: "Prediction? I predict Pain!" Ok, That was my Clubber Lang. I don't give us much of a chance, however, I know my Bucs history, and NFL history, and this has upset written all over it. Divisional game, undefeated team, fantastic offense, terrible defense, team with one win, it all spells 30-17 win for the Saints. However, the one in Minnesota's 15-1 regular season record in 1998 was to Tampa Bay when they came in here 8-0. We were a better team in '98, but it was not our best year. If we were capable of running the ball as well as we did back then, it could be possible. It wont shock me but three things have to happen for us to have a chance...

1) If you guys have 90+ yard rushing by halftime, the game is over.

2) If Drew Brees has 3 TD's by halftime, its over.

3) If we are only down by ten points or less, or have rushed for 65 yards or more, or have 2 TD's by halftime, we have a good shot.

This comes courtesy of Niko Houllis over at Buc 'Em.

2009-11-20T03:31:06Z

This comes courtesy of Niko Houllis over at Buc 'Em.

Saints @ Bucs: Thursday Injury Report

2009-11-19T22:35:07Z

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Practice Report
	DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
	Wednesday	RB Reggie Bush (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee), TE David Thomas (knee)
	Thursday	RB Reggie Bush (knee), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee)

	LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Wednesday	DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee)
	Thursday	DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), S Darren Sharper (knee)

	FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Thursday	TE David Thomas (knee)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Practice Report
	LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Wednesday	WR Antonio Bryant (knee), QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)
	Thursday	QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow)

	FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Thursday	WR Antonio Bryant (knee), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Bucs S Tanard Jackson told Ronde Barber, 9-0 record aside, he loves playing Saints and Drew Brees...

2009-11-19T19:22:05Z

Bucs S Tanard Jackson told Ronde Barber, 9-0 record aside, he loves playing Saints and Drew Brees because of INT opportunities.

Rick Stroud
NFLSTROUD on Twitter

A Statistical Look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense

2009-11-19T19:15:19Z

Season Stats

	Tampa Bay
Total First Downs	139
Rushing	46
Passing	80
Penalty	13
3rd Down: Made/Att	37/120
3rd Down Pct.	30.8%
4th Down: Made/Att	7/14
4th Down Pct.	50.0%
Possession Avg.	28:12
Total Net Yards	2486
Avg. Per Game	276.2
Total Plays	534
Avg. Per Play	4.7
Net Yards Rushing	888
Avg. Per Game	98.7
Total Rushes	218
Net Yards Passing	1598
Avg. Per Game	177.6
Sacked/Yards Lost	20/98
Gross Yards	1696
Attempts/Completions	296/153
Completion Pct.	51.7%
Had Intercepted	13

Scoring

Touchdowns	20
Rushing	4
Passing	12
Returns	4

Score By Periods	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	Pts
Team	24	51	10	72	0	157

Team Ranking and Comparison

Team	Yds / Game	Yds / Play	Rush Yds / Game	Rush Yds / Play	Pass Yds / Game	Pass Yds / Play	Intercept. Rate	Sacks / Pass Att.	First Downs / Game	Punt Return Avg	Kickoff Return Avg	Field Goals Made	3rd Down Pct	4th Down Pct	Red Zone Pct	Goal to Go%	Avg Time of Poss.	Pts / Game
TB	276.3	4.66	98.8	4.06	177.6	5.40	4.39%	6.42%	15.4	9.5	29.4	50.00%	30.83%	50.00%	70.59%	78.57%	28:12	17.4
Rank	28	27	25	19	23	27	26	16	27	10	1	32	27	12t	1	8t	27	25
NO Defensive Rank	21	17	20	21	19t	9	2	20	13t	26	25	--	4	17t	6	4t	--	--

Individual Stats

Passing	Att	Cmp	Yds	Cmp%	Yds/Att	TD	TD%	Int	Int%	Long	Sack	Lost	Rating
J.Johnson	125	63	685	50.4%	5.5	4	3.2%	8	6.4%	35	11/	59	50.9
B.Leftwich	107	58	594	54.2%	5.6	4	3.7%	3	2.8%	47	2/	0	71.2
J.Freeman	63	32	417	50.8%	6.6	4	6.3%	2	3.2%	38	7/	39	79.9
M.Clayton	1	0	0	0.0%	0.0	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0/	0	39.6
Team	296	153	1696	51.7%	5.7	12	4.1%	13	4.4%	47	20/	98	64.2

Rushing	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
C.Williams	106	418	3.9	35	3
D.Ward	59	217	3.7	28	1
J.Johnson	22	148	6.7	29	0
J.Freeman	11	60	5.5	14	0
E.Graham	8	25	3.1	13	0
C.Smith	4	7	1.8	4	0
K.Winslow	1	7	7.0	7	0
B.Leftwich	6	6	1.0	4	0
B.Askew	1	0	0.0	0	0
Team	218	888	4.1	35	4

Receiving	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
K.Winslow	42	454	10.8	42t	5
S.Stroughter	21	246	11.7	35	1
C.Williams	17	117	6.9	19	1
A.Bryant	16	229	14.3	33t	2
M.Clayton	13	186	14.3	47	0
M.Stovall	11	186	16.9	38	1
D.Ward	10	100	10.0	38	1
J.Stevens	10	87	8.7	17	1
E.Graham	5	30	6.0	16	0
B.Clark	2	30	15.0	17	0
C.Smith	2	4	2.0	3	0
B.Askew	2	3	1.5	4	0
D.Penn	1	15	15.0	15	0
J.Gilmore	1	9	9.0	9	0
Team	153	1696	11.1	47	12

Jonathan Vilma Speaks About the Brady Quinn Cheap Shot

2009-11-19T17:09:49Z

In week 4's matchup against the Jets, Jonathan Vilma took a low-blow block from Mark Sanchez, for which Sanchez was fined. Now he's speaking out against Brady Quinn's cheap shot on Baltimore's Terrell Suggs last week. Here is what Vilma had to say on his PlayMaker Mobile page last night.

What bothers me about this play is, for one, Brady Quinn is not a rookie—he's a third year guy. Two, he knows right and wrong, he knows fair and foul play. And three, as much emphasis as there is put on protecting quarterbacks, quarterbacks need to understand they need to do the same thing. There is a reason defensive players can't go low on quarterbacks. Look at Tom Brady. Look what happened to him. So why would you reciprocate and do the same thing if you're the QB? That's what really bothers me.

It's not like Mark Sanchez where it was his fourth game starting and he was a little bewildered and he was just out there. Brady Quinn has been around and he understands right from wrong. He understands fair and foul play. That bothers me. Yeah, Brady Quinn gets fined but that fine isn't going to help the Ravens, it's not gonna help Terrell Suggs get back any quicker, and now they've got to play Peyton Manning this weekend.

Not having Suggs impacts them in so many different ways. Now do they not only miss one of their best pass rushers but they miss one of their best players on defense, period. The guy can stop the run and the pass and you need that against a guy like Peyton Manning, where everyone says "don't blitz Peyton," but you need someone to rush the passer and that was their guy. That's what's especially frustrating. To see that happen, the way it happened, being on the defensive side it really bothers. We have to be really conscious about where and how and how hard we hit a quarterback, and now QBs are just going after defensive players because they're afraid of being blocked, they're afraid of being hit, and that's just not right.

What do you guys think about Vilma's thoughts and words?

Transcripts, Baby!

2009-11-19T12:30:29Z

Who loves ya!?

Sean Payton

From the New Orleans Saints official website

Opening Statement:

"A couple of notes in regards to the injury report, Jonathan Goodwin (ankle) did not practice;Lance Moore (ankle) did not practice; Jabari Greer (groin) did not practice; Darren Sharper (knee) was limited; David Thomas (knee) did not practice; Reggie Bush (knee) did not practice; Tracy Porter (knee) did not practice; Sedrick Ellis (knee) was limited. We signed cornerback Chris McAlister and waived quarterback Chase Daniel."

What do you foresee McAlister's role being?

"A lot of it will be based on the health of a couple of guys in front of him. But he's a veteran player that understands defense and is someone that we think can come in and help us. We worked him out yesterday and we signed him this morning."

How encouraging is it to have Sedrick Ellis back on the field?

"Anytime you're able to get a starter back - a guy that has been a good player for you at the three-technique and at the nose - it certainly helps. At the same time, we're still repping the other guys through in the rotation. Today he felt better and that was encouraging."

In Reggie's case, were you just resting the knee?

"Yes. In the game, a couple of these guys got nicked up. In his case, we backed off of it today and held him and held David Thomas for that reason."

Is punt return an area you're looking to improve?

"It's an area we have talked about and obviously it's an area we need to improve on. We had a decent return last week with a holding call that brought it back, but we're playing a real good team this week in special teams. They have a returner that is first in a lot of categories and when you look at it, that's an area that we have to do a good job with and emphasize. Those are field position, hidden yardage statistics that will be important in this game."

Why Chris McAlister and not some other players who were available?

"We had gone through our pro personnel reports and our grades, and he worked out yesterday and did a good job. A lot of it is based on how we grade and how we stack players that are available."

Did he come in with many other players to work out?

"It was he and another player. He did a good job."

Is there a chance he could help you out at safety or would it just be at cornerback?

"That's a good question. We're looking at him now and certainly he's a guy that has experience in the secondary and his role right now would be as a corner."

Was there any thought of moving Usama Young back to cornerback to help out?

"He's a guy that can do both, but nothing specific right now."

Was the signing also based on how Randall Gay played on Sunday?

"No. It was based on the injury to Tracy Porter."

How did Randall Gay grade out on Sunday?

"He graded out better than you would have thought. The one was a Cover-zero look on third-and-long; it was a full-blitz look and the quarterback had a half-second longer than you would like to throw it and the receiver did a good job. That's a tough coverage for a corner to be in. The next play was really a play above his head. But we have a lot of confidence in Randall Gay. Those were two good plays by St. Louis."

Is it good to be facing a rookie quarterback this week?

"We spend most of our time just on the game plan and getting ourselves ready to have a good week of practice and prepare. He's a guy that has a big arm. We've seen some other young quarterbacks this year. He has given them a spark. When you look at the tape and the way they played against Miami a week ago and their win against Green Bay, I think the players around him have responded and he's playing with confidence. Certainly we understand the strengths and weaknesses of when you play a younger player, but that being said, he's a guy that's elusive, can scramble to run and has a big arm. Especially after a couple of weeks now, we'll have a challenge."

Do you feel like you're getting Tampa Bay at the wrong time? Are they a team you would've liked to have played earlier in the year?

"You get the schedule and you play it. Certainly they're playing well right now. St. Louis was playing better and we caught them after a bye. Again, the focus for us starts with ourselves. Certainly we have to be mindful of the type of offense and defense and return game we're seeing and prepare accordingly on the film study, but they're playing better."

Was Tampa's more of a substantial rebuilding project than you'll normally see in the league?

"I don't know. I think you could make a comparison to a few other clubs that would be similar and there would be some others that wouldn't be as significant. They had a roster that they felt like they were going to move some players and begin to move on and start developing younger guys. Whenever there's a change like that at the top, you see a lot of different changes that go along with it. I don't think it's very uncommon in our league."

Do you see a completely different team on film than the Bucs from years past?

"There are a lot of differences and there are some similarities. They run well on defense. They're playing with confidence on defense. The return game is outstanding. You see some changes offensively with certainly a new coordinator and a little bit of new personnel, but it's a line that has been together for a while. The good thing is that you have a good portion of the season of film to be thorough and study and look at and get the nuances of what they're doing differently in all three areas."

Players have said recently that they seem to be getting opponents' "A-game" every week now. Do you feel like there's a bull's-eye on your back now?

"When you're playing good football, I think there certainly is a respect level from the opponent you play. But that's part of the challenge of winning each week in this league. You hope that you create a program and a team that is in that situation more often than the other."

Does the diverse attack that you have on offense help to neutralize the playmakers they might have in their defense?

"The one thing that you see on film is that these guys have good ball skills. Ronde Barber, looking at a veteran who is a smart player, Tenard Jackson, Sabby Piscitelli, Aqib Talib - all these guys catch the ball well. So it really forces you to be good with your location, your exactness in the routes in what you're trying to do. And if you're off a little bit, these guys contest throws very well. You can see that on film; they're athletic and they do a good job of defending the pass."

Talib has had some off-field issues. To what degree is the Saints' success due to not having to deal with players and off-field issues this year?

"I can't speak on behalf of a player for Tampa. We try to focus on improving and focus on getting guys that are able to do the right thing. We try to provide that structure. But he's an extremely talented player and he's having a good season."

Would you consider trading a seventh-round pick for David Thomas a steal?

"I think when you acquire a player, you're hopeful and you have a vision for the player and it isn't until three or four years down the road that you can put a grade or determine if it was a good acquisition or not. Certainly you hope to have more of those that fit what you're looking for and less that end up not being that and you understand that it's not an exact science. He has obviously filled a role for us and with the injury to Heath Evans, his role to some degree has expanded and we've been fortunate that way."

Were you surprised that you were able to get him that cheap though?

"It's all in just finding the right match with another team that was interested in a trade. Bill (Belichick) and those guys have done a great job of acquiring picks and drafting. Where one team might have depth and another team might have a need, generally there's a chance to begin discussions of acquiring a player. I don't think it was anything unusual."

Based on the injuries that you have on defense, how concerned are you with your defense being able to hold up until you get everyone back?

"I think that the key is preparing the guys during the week. I've said before that you're not going to go through a season where all 22 guys that start the season are going to finish and play every game that way. Already at this point we've had a number of guys step in that weren't opening day starters and I think that's fairly common. You could just go on and on with the players; if you started on offense, you'd look at Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief and Kyle Eckel, who is a fullback that has played more and Darnell Dinkins' role has expanded. We've had some receivers who have filled in with Lance Moore's injury. Defensively you can go through the numbers there with the DeMario Pressleys and the guys in the secondary. I think it's the nature of a long year. When you play 16 regular season and four preseason games, that's a lot of football and I think that you're always in the process - we're always in the process - of developing all of our players; not just the starters. It's a challenge each week and that's what makes it interesting. And that's why you have to play each week and understand that there are changes happening with your opponent as well; guys are getting healthy, guys have been injured and you just hope to be on the lighter end of the injury note than the heavier end."

Based on what's going on in your secondary, do you think that teams will try to attack you through the air more?

"I don't know. We've had injuries in the front as well. How they approach us, I wouldn't know. You try to prepare for each opponent. When you're thin at a position or when there's a new corner on the field, certainly those guys understand that they'll get tested. We'd do the same thing on offense."

In regards to Chris McAlister, do you get him ready to play a game or do you get him ready for the rest of the season?

"We're getting him ready to play a game."

What has made you confident that your secondary will be able to handle this test of its depth?

"I think we're deeper from a health standpoint in the secondary. We have a number of guys with playing experience and some young guys like Malcolm Jenkins who got some more experience last week. We're at a point where we're not early in the year now. We're heading into the 10th game and the 11th week. Whoever we line up out there in the base and in the nickel will have had a lot of practice snaps and a lot of work this week in preparation for this game. I think they understand the scheme well. It's different from a year ago. And I think that their play is often tied to the play of the front and their ability to hurry a quarterback and get pressure on a quarterback. I think it all goes together."

Tampa has reportedly been working some on the Wildcat formation. How surprised would you be to see them line up in that formation?

"There's nothing really that surprises you each week. You prepare for your calls and adjustments and you get ready for things that take place during a game that you may not have seen. Each week there's a twist that you see; whether it's on offense or on defense and you just have to be prepared to adjust."

Drew Brees

From the New Orleans Saints official website

Q: How much of the recent turnovers can be attributed to an aggressive mentality on offense?

A: "We've been able to overcome them, but that's really in large part because our defense has gotten quite a few, as well and then offensively, the drives we're not turning it over we're going out and getting points. It's not a good habit to get into. We are aggressive. There's being aggressive and there's being reckless and reckless is not what we want to be. I don't think we are. We just need to continue to make an emphasis on taking care of the football, because it is without a doubt the biggest statistic in football. If we keep going at the pace we're going then it will get us beat at some point, not once, but again and again. We need to fix the problem. I'm confident we will because we're making it a big emphasis. We're doing things to combat it. The first five games of the season we were very good in that regard. It's really been just the last four games. We know how to do it. It's just a matter off getting back to the fundamentals and that type of thing."

Q: It has been said before that turnovers on both sides come in bushels. Is the unit in a possible funk where you are turning it over in bushels right now?

A: "I think sometimes that happens. It will just kind of happen in spurts, just like a baseball player that hits a slump. You kind of hit a slump for a few games where you're 0-for-something. It could be similar to turning it over a few too many times before you kind of make the adjustments, do whatever you have to do to change it and get it on the right track and you kind of get on that roll of a couple of games where you're not turning it over. You're doing a great job of taking care of it. At times it comes in spurts."

Q: Are there specific drills you possibly do to combat them?

A: "Ball security drills. It's the way you practice too, just making an emphasis of the defense trying to take it away from our guys offensively. We're making sure it's tucked away and know that guys are coming to get it just like they would in a game, definitely just conscious when you're talking about fundamentals, how you're carrying the football, how I'm holding the football in the pocket and just being good with it when I'm getting pressure, all those things, all those little things."

Q: Are you guys getting different looks the last four games as opposed to the first five?

A: "Well, no. I think everything we've seen the last four weeks is pretty standard as far as nothing similar to what we saw in the first five games. Really the Jets were the only team that was very different from the rest in the schemes and the things they did, but really everybody else, as far as the turnovers go, I think that's probably what you're getting at. It's not what the defenses are doing to us necessarily; it's just the fact that we've had a little bit of lapse in concentration in regards to that."

Q: Whom do you credit for leading the NFL in Pro Bowl voting right now?

A: "I'd probably say (credit) the Saints fans. If they're as passionate and diehard about that as they are in the way they scream at the games and the way that they travel and support us on the road and the way that they are at the airport for us after we get home from road games then I'm sure they're the same way about the voting, going online and just hitting enter, enter, enter, which is a good thing that you have fans like that."

Q: Do you believe in motivational tactics and have any examples?

A: "This is one of the things that I think is one of Sean's (Payton) great strengths. He has many great strengths, the ability to motivate guys in ways that is either humorous, like he might just make a comment to you that will make everyone else around you laugh and will make you even laugh and then you kind of walk away and say I think he was taking a jab at me. I think he was challenging me, which gets some response out of you. I think he does a great job of knowing what motivates different guys and everybody's a little different. Some guys you might yell at, i.e. poor Billy Miller to get the best out of them sometimes and then other times it's pulling a guy aside. Whatever it might be, different forms of leadership in that regard, but also, I think in regards to each week, each game, so different. How do you find a way and it's one of the biggest challenges in the NFL to make sure your team is ready to play 16 weeks. It's a long season. It's a marathon. How do you make it to where your team is always concentrated and never having a mental lapse and you have to continue to find a chip to put on your shoulder, a motivational tactic of some kind that will get guys to simplify, because sometimes you sit up there and look at the stats between you and the team you're playing and sometimes all that stuff gets overwhelming. Sometimes you say how can I narrow this down? Sean does a great job, for example after today (he said), these are the three things we need to do to win this game. That simplifies it. Offense do this. Defense do this. Special teams do this. We'll win the game. That's a great way to handle it."

Q: Was Sean's example last week of discussing winning percentages of teams coming off the bye week a great example?

A: "Yes, 62 percent winner. Of all the things, that's the perfect example."

Q: Is it a coincidence that one week Sean mentioned how it would be a challenge for Darren Sharper to not only get interceptions, but return one for a touchdown?

A: "Exactly, that's just another one of those examples. That gets everybody laughing. It's funny. It's humorous, but I guarantee you Sharper, being the competitive guy he is, walks to his locker and is like ‘I have to prove that I can take one back' and he's taken three back, but it's just little ways to motivate you."

Q: Is part of Sean's effectiveness as a play caller related to that he seems to get the ball to a lot of different guys?

A: "I think that too, because he's able to take your strengths as a player and accentuate that within the system or give you the opportunities, put you in the positions to succeed. He's not going to ask you to do something that you're not comfortable with or you're not necessarily the best at. That's why you continue to see us just plug guys in and to their credit, they work extremely hard and we've brought in the right type of guys, but Sean puts them in a position to succeed. That makes guys play hard for you too, because you understand that everyone of us has opportunities. Every one of us plays a role in this offense. We're all a big part of it."

Q: You guys have run through quite a few tight ends since 2006. Can you talk about David Thomas?

A: "You talk about a great (trade) and obviously if Billy Miller doesn't get hurt it probably doesn't happen, obviously. What he's been able to do especially with Heath (Evans) getting hurt a couple weeks back, his ability to be so versatile and play multiple tight end positions as well as fullback position. We ask him to block out of the backfield, block as an in-line tight end. We ask him to do a lot in protection in the backfield. We ask him to run routes from the tight end position as well as split them out and have them run routes. He caught a few in the game last week basically as a split out and then check downs out of the backfield, he had a couple of big third down conversions. He's as versatile as they come. He's so smart and he gets it. He picks it up very quickly. He works at it and he's been a great, great addition."

Q: You guys don't pay attention to how guys were acquired, but do you consider acquiring him for a seventh round pick a good transaction?

A: "Absolutely, if you basically say we drafted this guy in the second round, would we be happy right now? Yes. It's like finding (Marques) Colston in the seventh round a couple years back, just a guy who can do so many different things, play at a high level, great in the locker room, just everything you want in a teammate and a player."

Q: How hard is it to switch from being the hunter to the hunted?

A: "We're still very much the hunter, but I know what you're saying. The fact is we're going to get everybody's best game, but that doesn't change our mentality as far as being aggressive and going out with a lot of confidence and swagger, but just understanding that especially early on in games and especially on the road, you're going to get a team's best punch and there's times where things maybe don't go your way and you have to weather the storm a bit like we had to at Miami, Monday night at home against Atlanta, and then Carolina and then even last week a little bit, but yet you know that when it comes time for that fourth quarter to finish strong that's something we've proven we can do and hopefully we can continue to do."

McAlister Hits The Ground Running - New Orleans Saints official website

"I came in here yesterday and had a good workout, now it’s time to ready to help out any way I can,"

-Chris McAlister

"The thing I picked up as soon as I got here and got around the rest of the team was the feeling of ‘Team.’ You hear guys around here talking about ‘we’ and nobody talking is talking about themselves," McAlister said of his initial impression of the Saints. "The players have been very helpful and welcoming. I only have played for one other team, Baltimore, so I don’t know what it’s like to be in another locker room."

-Chris McAlister

"Everything has a new name, so that’s an adjustment," he said. "But at the end of the day, playing cornerback is about making plays and trying to stop the other team. This week, that’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. How or if I will be used will be determined during the week and into the game. Everything leading up to that is getting ready for if and when my number is called."

-Chris McAlister

"I didn’t want to sign with any team just to play," McAlister said. "I wanted to join a winning team and a winning organization, unfortunately a couple guys got nicked up. But when the Saints called, I was ready. I have kept in shape and knew that I could come in and show them that I still can play and obviously I did that during my workout. I’m looking forward to helping out."

-Chris McAlister

Raheem Morris

From the New Orleans Saints official website

Q: When you put on film of the Saints this year, does number 91 stands out on defense?

A: On defense, what's impressive is how much movement you get from everybody and how active they are on defense. 91 is playing well. Charles Grant is playing well. They are all playing well up front. With that improved secondary, Tracy Porter unfortunately got hurt, a guy that I know really well and a guy that I like a lot. I don't know if it was unfortunate for me, but it was unfortunate for the Saints, but he's out and whatever happened to him I hope he gets back fast, but just the speed of the whole defense and the continuity they're playing with is just impressive.

Q: Did you guys install Josh Freeman as the starting quarterback because it's part of a rebuilding effort or because you thought he gave you guys the best chance to win right away.

A: He gives us the best chance to win. We knew that. It was his time. It was time. We went through Byron Leftwich. We didn't get a win. Byron Leftwich did a great job for us when he was out there. There were some other factors involved and then also we went to Josh Johnson. Josh gave us a chance to win at the time. Our offensive line was a little banged up and he gave us a chance to move around with his feet. Now we're back up to full strength with our o-line and we have those guys out there and with Josh Johnson in the pocket, there would be some balls on the field. We've had a little bit more success on offense, especially in the fourth quarter with the young man out there. He's doing a good job. There are going to be some growing pains. We have to be patient. We have to go through all that with him.

Q: Did his insertion add an element and something for the team to get excited about?

A: I wouldn't really use any ploys. It's Josh Freeman's team. Once we drafted him in the first round, we knew that would be the case. It was just time to unleash him and let him learn how to play this game. It was a great opportunity to get him out there to go against five games in his division that has traditionally been a great one, throughout the whole process.

Q: Can you use the word rebuilding and not offend fans?

A: I really haven't used the word rebuilding. We had a makeshift deal in the beginning here. We had a wholesale wipeout, went to a youth movement. We really wanted to win. We wanted to come out and win every week. We really felt like we could still go win against some quality and good teams like we did against Green Bay. We have to come up with those kinds of efforts every week and we put ourselves in a position last week against Miami to win. Unfortunately it didn't come out that way. We'll come out and give our best effort against a really good New Orleans Saints team.

Q: What do you know about Chris McAlister?

A: He was a great corner in Baltimore. I don't know what he's been doing recently, but I'm sure when you have that kind of background and you understand defense and understand what you want to do, he'll help the football team right away. He'll give his best effort and we look forward to seeing him coming out there and doing that.

Q: What do you know about Drew Brees? Have you been encouraged by some of his recent turnovers?

A: Are you kidding me? He doesn't make mistakes. He gives his players opportunities to catch the ball. They either catch them for him or they don't. He's the ultimate quarterback. He's kind of like a robo-quarterback so to speak. He gets the job done. He has a bunch of good guys around him like Marques Colston, who's from Hofstra, Lance Moore, some of those other guys, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem that's come along this year that's really been the guy standing out from the receiver corps, because he's the one guy I haven't seen as much due to injuries the last couple years, but he's been stepping it up this year. Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas has really carried the load as far as some of the running plays that Deuce McAllister used to do for you guys and some of the guys in the past. That offense just in general has been lights out. Everything's going the way it should go and I would expect nothing less from a Sean Paytoncoached football team.

Q: What would beating the Saints mean to your first year program?

A: That's really what we're trying to do. We're really trying to be out there as spoilers to everybody else. We were given, I don't know what the rankings were, top four in schedule if you want to talk about it being hard and those things. It's been fun. Now we have a chance to play all the best teams because at one point in this league, if you want to be good enough to compete against anybody in this league and when you can go out there and get an opportunity to play against some of these guys and get some confidence against guys like the Saints and go out there and play well, we're going to try to win the football game of course, but we want to get out there and give our best efforts enough to perform well enough to win and go out there and be our best self.

Q: Has it been a hard sell to get everybody on board or has there been a lot of enthusiasm?

A: There's been a lot of enthusiasm. I have a tough football team. Mentally tough and physically tough as well. I don't know if you watched it on tape, but these guys played hard and we haven't come out and won a lot, but they're a hard playing football team. We were really outmatched one game against the New York Giants. That was the one game where I don't feel like we competed as well as we could, but for the most after that, it has been really competitive, intense games. We just haven't come out on top as much as we'd like to. The last two weeks have been signs of where we can go and signs of what we can be. These guys are starting to buy in and do some of the positive things to do to compete at this level.

Q: Have you changed much of your defense from the previous regime?

A: The previous regime we worked with we tried to transform it a little bit to this package we're in right now. We just transformed over to it. There's not much difference. There's a lot of the same coverages, little different verbiage, different teachings and some more understanding of different things we may not have talked about before. We have all the stuff we had before. We've just added some things we needed to add from before and now we're just putting it all together. We have a bunch of young guys that have to buy into it and grow into it together and see where we can go.

Q: They say that once a rookie has made it through a number of games he's not a rookie anymore. Are you still a rookie head coach?

A: I don't' know. You have to ask my team that. I'm getting better and better every day as well. If there's something...There's no handbook for head coaching. You go into the job, you have to be your best self. What I'm doing is going out there and trying to lead men and that's my job. My job is to lead men to come in here and give our best effort and put them in a position to win.

Q: Are there any surprises to the job?

A: Not really surprises. The only thing that's different is the amount of media presentation that you have to deal with. Other than that, it's been like leading a big DB room. That's how we take it and that's how we approach. All those guys feel that way.

Q: Are there any plans to use the Wildcat against the Saints?

A: I haven't shown any wildcat on tape yet. I don't think we have any plans to use the wildcat. If we do, I'm not telling Sean Payton anyway.

Josh Freeman

From the Times-Pic

What have you learned over the course of two NFL starts?

"I've learned a lot. Whether it be learning about myself, what defenses are trying to do to me, speeding up my game to make it a little even, because sometimes there are instances like last week where I was scrambling and I felt like I had more time. Some of those d linemen ended up closing on me pretty fast and ended up stripping it out."

What have you learned about yourself?

"My preparation week to week, just what it takes to give your team a chance to win."

Does Will Smith stand out to you at all?

"Yes. They have a lot of guys that that stand out. They play a really aggressive style. They have a lot of standouts. We haven't really gotten into a ton of personnel. There's a whole lot of schemes and looking at the pressures."

Did everyone seem to be on board with the rebuilding effort?

"I guess. You have to go along with it. Everybody wants to be successful. That's the way the management is going along with it. Everybody's bought in and going in the same direction."

Was it hard for the club to go through the start to the season?

"Yes. It's always miserable when you're not winning. For me in particular, not being in the game, being on the bench and having your team lose is really tough."

What have you seen in the growth of Raheem Morris as a head coach?

"Coach Morris has done a good job. He demands respect from the team. The team respects him, and everybody plays hard for him. He's found a way to be a player's coach, but at the same time maintain the respect he has for everyone."

Have you noticed growth in him from week one to week ten in how he goes about things?

"I don't know. I don't really know what being a head coach all entails, but from what I've seen he's been doing a great job."

What additional things do you want to get better at after your first two starts?

"I definitely say fumbling. Versus Green Bay we had a fumbled snap. This week we had one where I fumbled and one where I dropped a shotgun snap. It's definitely being more ball secure."

How long did you expect to wait before playing? Did you expect to not play this season or expect to get a chance?

"I really didn't know at first going through camp because Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich, they were the showcase competition. They ended up trading Luke and moving Josh Johnson to second string. At that point, I was thinking I might get to play. Then they made the switch to Josh, played me at second string. That's when I really felt like I would get an opportunity at some point this year."

Was it everything you hoped for?

"It's definitely very emotional for me, not necessarily because it's the NFL, but because it's the thrill of competition, always trying to find a way to win and putting all you have into it."

Da Gris Gris Man's Spell on Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2009-11-19T06:10:50Z

Spell on the Tampa Bay Buc’s

Oh great Voodoo spirit Papa Legbo,

For dis week’s opponents I need you for sho ,

We go to do battle with pirates and buccaneers,

Like some of you was in your living young years,

So I call on the spirit of da brothers Lafitte,

Give us your power against dis team we will meet,

Wave your hands over pot as my spell I do brew,

Dis spell I do cast with da power from you,

Into my pot I throw white sand from their beaches,

I mix it with jellyfish and blood from some leeches,

Add in some socks I took off Leftwich’s flat feet,

I put in some lips of a mute so dey can't speak,

Added some hair from the Williams’ big head,

Stirred in some blood from eels dats was dead,

Throw in some eyes from a mole that can’t see,

So their returners will be blind and just take a knee,

I found some old teeth I pulled out of a snake,

They go in my pot so no TD will dey make,

I cooked up this brew till the owls went to sleep,

Den bottled it up and into their stadium I creeped,

I poured it on dare lockers and into dare big shoes,

I poured it on da field so for sure dey will lose,

Dis spell is not evil but powerful it be,

Let all of my followers believe and you'll see,

Believe in da Voodoo and the Buccaneers’ will succumb,

Wit dis spell now come Sunday our Saints will done won!

Gris Gris Man, Voodoo Surgeon General and Witch Doctor King

WHO DAT DREW DAT TRUE DAT !

Saints @ Bucs: Wednesday Injury Report

2009-11-18T23:16:04Z

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Practice Report
	DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
	Wednesday	RB Reggie Bush (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee), TE David Thomas (knee)

	LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Wednesday	DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Practice Report
	LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
	Wednesday	WR Antonio Bryant (knee), QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Listen to Forecast Radio Tonight at 8pm Central!!

2009-11-18T22:43:27Z

Listen to Forecast Radio Tonight at 8pm Central!!

Ralph, Kevin and myself preview the game against Tampa this week. We'll also take your phone calls. (347) 215-8037 Click the link to listen!

Sean Payton Approval Rating

2009-11-18T18:00:15Z

More photos » by Bill Haber - AP

Browse more photos »

This was something I wanted to do last week at the halfway mark of the season but never got around to it. I thought it would be interesting to take the temperature of fan sentiment regarding head coach Sean Payton and try to get a quantifiable answer as to how fans feel he is doing in his job as head coach this season.

Personally, Payton gets an "A" from me. Pretty hard to find fault with the coach of a 9-0 football team. In fact, my initial hesitation with writing this post was that I thought his excellent work this season was too obvious and evident and that it would just be a waste of time.

But just for funsies, let's do it anyway! Cast your vote below and grade Payton's performance so far. Of course, your greater take on the subject can be expressed below in the comment section.

Chris McAlister: A Baltimore Blogger's Perspective

2009-11-18T16:17:47Z

Last night when I heard the news about the signing of cornerback Chris McAlister, I immediately shot an email to SB Nation's Ravens blogger, Bruce Raffel from Baltimore Beatdown, to try and get the inside scoop on the situation. Bruce has legitimate connections with the team, so I expect him to know his stuff. This is what he had to tell me:

Based on the problems the Ravens had a CB this year, a ton of fans around here were clamoring for his return. However the Ravens didn't want him, which should say a lot to other teams. He never bought into Coach John Harbaugh's leadership and was pretty much a distraction in the locker room, always late for practices, not following assignments and getting burned by the better WR's in the league going for the pump fake, always trying for the great pick rather than playing tight defense.

More importantly, was that he had a severe knee injury and was not thought to be healed enough to make the cuts necessary to cover. If he is healthy and in a better state of mind than he was at the end here in Baltimore, then you've got a big corner who can play real well. If not, well then you will see why no one else wanted him.

Plus I also heard he only wants to play safety and was holding out for the right money and team. Perhaps the Saints have both to offer. Good luck, we'll be watching closely.

Safety, eh? Vewy intewesting.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Game Preview

2009-11-18T12:15:20Z

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-0) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-8)

SERIES

	SAINTS	BUCCANEERS
SERIES LEADER	20-14
STREAKS		3 of past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Payton: 3-3	Morris: 0-0
LAST WEEK	W 28-23 at Rams	L 25-23 at Dolphins
LAST GAME	11/30/08: Saints 20 at Buccaneers 23. Tampa Bay K Matt Bryant kicks game-winning 37-yard FG with 1:55 remaining. Buccaneers defense registers 2 INTs in final minutes of win.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/30/08
BROADCAST	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan. SIRIUS: 126 (NO), 158 (TB). XM: 103 (NO).

STATS

PASSING	Brees: 199-291-2,559 (1C)-19 (1C)-9-104.6 (2L)	Freeman (R): 32-63-417-4-2-79.9
RUSHING	P. Thomas: 94-492-5.2-5	Williams: 106-418-3.9-3
RECEIVING	Colston: 39-613-15.7-6	Winslow (TE): 42-454-10.8-5
OFFENSE	426.1 (1L)	276.3
TAKE/GIVE	+6 (3C)	0
DEFENSE	343.0	379.2
SACKS	Smith: 7.5 (T3C)	Wilkerson: 5.5
INTs	Sharper: 7 (1C)	Talib: 5 (T3L)
PUNTING	Morstead (R): 43.0	D. Johnson: 41.4
KICKING	Carney: 73 (40/42 PAT; 11/14 FG)	Barth: 17 (5/5 PAT; 4/5 FG)

NOTES

SAINTS: Are 9-0 for 1st time in team history. Average 36.8 points per game, most in NFL...QB DREW BREES aims for 4th in row vs. division with 300+ yards. In past 3 vs. division, has 1,024 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs & 104.1 rating. Since joining NO in 2006, leads NFL with 16,469 pass yards. Has 2,636 yards (329.5 per game), 24 TDs, 7 INTs & 118.9 rating in past 8 vs. NFC...RB-PR REGGIE BUSH had rush & rec. TD last week. Has 2 TDs vs. TB (65-yard PR-TD & 42-yard rec. TD). Has 30 career TDs (17 rush, 9 rec, 4 PR) & is only Saint to score via rush, rec. & PR. RB PIERRE THOMAS aims for 4th in row vs. division with rush TD. Had 20-yard TD catch in last meeting...WR MARQUES COLSTON had 6 catches for 106 yards in last meeting. Has 10 TDs in past 12. WR ROBERT MEACHEM aims for 3rd in row with TD. TE JEREMY SHOCKEY has 458 receptions since 2002, 3rd most in NFL by TE. KR COURTNEY ROBY had 97-yard KR-TD last week, his 1st TD since 2005...DE WILL SMITH has 5 sacks in past 3 & aims for 4th in row with sack. S DARREN SHARPER has INT in 2 of past 3 vs. TB, incl. 88-yard INT-TD. LB JONATHAN VILMA had sack in last meeting...

BUCCANEERS: QB JOSH FREEMAN has 4 TDs in 1st 2 NFL starts...Team is 10-0 when RB CADILLAC WILLIAMS has 22+ carries. Has 3 rush TDs in past 2 meetings. Rushed for TD last week. RB-KR CLIFTON SMITH is 2nd in NFL with 30.1 KR avg...WR ANTONIO BRYANT has rec. TD in 2 of past 3 vs. NO (48 & 39 yards). Has 19 catches for 345 yards (115 per game) & 3 TDs in past 3 division games. WR MAURICE STOVALL had 33-yard TD reception last week. TE KELLEN WINSLOW had 7 catches for 102 yards last week, 2nd 100-yard game of season. Since 2006, ranks 3rd among TEs with 256 catches. WR SAMMIE STROUGHTER is tied for 3rd among NFC rookies with 15 1st down receptions...Defense has 198 INTs since 2000, 2nd most in NFL. S TANARD JACKSON has 3 INTs in past 4, incl. 2 INT-TDs. CB RONDE BARBER has posted 3 INTs in game 2 times, both vs. NO. Has 13 career return TDs. Is 1 of 4 players all-time with 20+ sacks (24) & 30+ INTs (37). CB AQIB TALIB has 5 INTs in past 6. LB QUINCY BLACK had 1st career INT last week...K CONNOR BARTH became 4th player in NFL history with 3 50+ yard FGs in game last week.

Canal Street Chronicles

How to be a Fan of a Winning Team for Dummies

10. Thou shalt NOT drink thyself into a stupor PRIOR to the game.

9. Thou shalt not drink and take shots in order to affect the game.

8. Thou shalt not be perturbed by mentionings of TRAP games.

7. Thou shalt not be discouraged by media's negative opinion of thy team.

6. Thou shalt not avoid wearing of thine jerseys out of fear of rendering thy team and player inept.

5. Thou shalt talketh the smacketh at every opportunity.

4. Thou shalt not wish for losses out of comfort or fear of apocalypse due to a Saints undefeated season.

3. Thou shalt not compare thy team to the Patriots, Colts or 72' Dolphins.

2. Thou shalt not wait for the collapse of thy team.

1. Thou shalt cheer is loud as humanly possible no matter where you are in the world!

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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-0) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-8)