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New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 ET

NFL ON FOX PREVIEW

The undefeated Saints head to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers. Tim Ryan preview.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: This will be Josh Freeman's third start, and even with the Saints down two starting cornerbacks look for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to blitz him in hopes of protecting his secondary and creating some errant throws. Rookie Malcolm Jenkins and Randall Gay will be the starting corners for New Orleans, which will have safety Darren Sharper back in the lineup. Freeman should have WR Antonio Bryant in the lineup. The Bucs, though, should focus on running Cadillac Williams, considering the Saints have allowed an average of 161 rushing yards over the past three games.


Without Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas will start for the Saints, who also figure to give some carries to Lynell Hamilton. Drew Brees has been intercepted seven times in his last four starts, but the Bucs don't figure to apply much pressure and they've been guilty of surrendering too many big plays. The Saints are 9-0 for the first time ever.



CZAR'S SCOOP: The fascinating commitment of ex-Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden's contract extension with ESPN is that it apparently takes him out of the coaching derby — NFL or Notre Dame — for next season. There is no question that Gruden would be a hot commodity — the Bills have already reached out to him unsuccessfully — but if he's out of the mix it opens the door for coaches like Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan to demand more and more with no other serious competition. Apparently, Gruden would prefer to have the Glazers continue to offset his TV income by about $4 million a year, including 2010 as well. ESPN's new, long-term extension with Gruden forbids him from coaching next year while providing him with long-term security.


The Saints apparently will start Zach Strief over LT Jermon Bushrod, although both will play extensively. The Saints have a plus-6 turnover margin. Bucs safety Tanard Jackson has three interceptions the past four games

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ScottF

interesting...

did Big Zach finally outplay him in practice? Strief has been on the field a lot, what with injuries and him lining up at TE.

I personally prefer him starting, but geez, how until he gets a holding penalty, who can really tell?

CantonLegend

maybe payton finally watched the game films

Sir Psycho Sexy

Not sure if it's been reported on here but McAllister is inactive as well.

Rugby Saint II

Maybe this is how Payton plans to reduce the number of turnovers coming from Drews blind side. It seems to me that most of the sacks and fumbles come from the side that Bushrod lines up.

jn671

what are they atalking about starting reggie over pierre? i though pierre was starting

QBREES9

Zach Strief, played a very good game !!!! Great job Zach

MatthewT

Zach is a beast and would probably start for most teams. IMO he proved to be far to valuable of a utility type of player for that to happen for the Saints this year, I guess until now.

As for Bush, he was always considered the "starter". We all know PT is the man, but... Seriously, in a Sean Payton offense, does it really matter who the "named" starter is for positioned players?

Turbo Saint

drew had tons of time today...keep the line just how it is

SmashMouth

Yes indeed....