Bucs D dominate Saints, Set Sights on Bulger

The Buccaneers D looked like the Bucs D of old as they simply dominated the Saints offense in Sunday’s 31-14 beat down in Tampa, really the game should have been 31-7, but the defense gave up a pity touchdown with just 4 and a half minutes left to go in the game. The defense was stiff ling when it came to the run as they only allowed Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister to combine for 76 yards and no touchdowns while giving up one to fullback Mike Karney. The defense forced Drew Brees to drop back 44 times in which he only completed 26 of those 44 for 260 yards and a touchdown but also through a pick to Cato June. The Bucs D shut out New Orleans in the first half while the Bucs Offense kicked into gear.

Jeff Garcia hit 10 of 16 passes for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns but the most important figure is that he didn’t throw a pick and that’s two games in a row with out a pick from Mr. Garcia. Both touchdown passes came to stand out wide receiver, Joey Galloway. Galloway caught 4 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns with an assist from Michael Clayton who threw one hell of a block to spring him on his first touchdown catch of the season.

The passing game was working as was the running game as Cadillac Williams found the end zone not once but twice as he carried the ball 24 times for 61 yards and two touchdowns both of them 1 yard touchdown runs. It had been almost a year since he had rushed for a touchdown and it was nice to see him bounce back from a tough game in Seattle in which he suffered some bruised ribs.

This week the Buccaneers look to go 2-0 at home with a win over a struggling Rams offense and a defense who just can’t stop the run. The defensive line are licking their chops because the Rams offensive line are in shambles and that means that Marc Bulger could very well be taking his life into his own hands when he steps on to the field this Sunday in Tampa.

With three of their starting offensive lineman out, (Pace, Stuessie, Incognito) means that the defense should be able to pressure Bulger early in often and make some very big plays in the backfield, tack that on with a struggling Steven Jackson, and you have the makings of an ugly one for St. Louis, and a blow out for Tampa Bay. Jackson only as 39 carries for 118 yards on the season and has fumbled the ball a few times which is very uncharacteristic of him.

The Bucs secondary will be challenged this week though as they go up with two of the best receivers in the game in Isaac Bruce, a big possession receiver who put up 145 yards on San Francisco last week, and Torry Holt, one of the best, if not THE best, route runner in the league. Holt had 74 yards and a touchdown catch against the 49ers last weekend.

Prediction: Tampa 28, St. Louis 7.