New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - NOLA.com Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman says New Orleans Saints are playing at a high level

The transcript of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman's conference call Wednesday with with New Orleans media.

What's your mind-set after last week's game?
"Yesterday was a day off, and a lot of guys were in yesterday. We understand this is a big divisional opponent. The Saints are playing at a very high level right now. Our guys couldn't wait to get in here, watch the film, see the game plan come together, and we're just real excited about the opportunity."
How do you chalk up a loss like that?
"Really it came down to execution. Before the week started, we kind of downplayed the whole Monday night thing and the West Coast trip. Ultimately, we just weren't ready to come out and play. We didn't execute like we needed to and the 49ers were on their game. The big thing is in the NFL a loss is a loss. There really are no style points whether it's a win or a loss at the end of the day. We're kind of past that. We're still 3-2 and have an opportunity to play a good football team against New Orleans this week."
Last year you guys did a nice job with bouncing back after losses. Do you see the same makeup with this team?
"Yes. It's a thing where each game is its own separate game. It's not really a deal where we lose a game and then we're in a funk. It's a deal where next week you start over with a clean slate of preparation. It doesn't matter if you won the previous game or lost the previous game. You have to get prepared. You have a new team coming in and a new challenge. That's the approach we take. It's kind of our standard operating procedure. Otherwise it's tough to be successful. If you have a tough game or a great win, we don't get too high or too low. It's just on to the next one."
Why have you guys had so much success against the Saints in the past couple years?
"We split 2-2. It's hard to say. They're a divisional opponent. We feel like we know them very well and understand what they do defensively. We just have to go out and execute and that's what we were able to do the two times we went into the Superdome and came out with wins. It's a matter of execution. We know we have enough talent. We have the guys in the positions we need them in and if we go out and execute and play our game, we feel pretty good."

How much has the way LeGarrette Blount helped you with the way he runs the ball?
"If you ask any quarterback, having a running back like LeGarrette and an offensive line like we have getting things rolling in the running game kind of changes the makeup of the game. All of a sudden the defense has to start packing the box more, they start to account for the run and that might leave some stuff on the back end in the secondary open."
If Blount can't play this weekend, how much do you lose?
"We have Earnest Graham. I feel real confident with Earnest Graham, so if LeGarrette's unable to play I know Earnest is going to step up and do great for us. He has all kinds of history in the NFL being the featured back and has had some great seasons. I was watching tape in the offseason on Earnest tearing it up just a few years ago. Obviously, LeGarrette's a big physical presence that he brings, but at the same time we have to keep it moving. You can't sit back and say we don't have LeGarrette, we don't have a chance. Whether he goes or not, we're going to have a good game plan and it's going to come down to execution."
Have you studied other quarterbacks, Drew Brees in particular, with working on your own game?
"Yes. We watch a lot of veteran quarterbacks, especially the guys that are not fresh right in the league. You're talking about guys like Peyton Manning, guys like Tom Brady, Drew's close to home because he's in our division and has some history with our offensive coordinator Greg Olson. We watch Drew. He runs a very similar offense and he's a fun quarterback to watch."
Is it surprising that three of Drew Brees' three top five receivers are a tight end and two running backs and the offense is ranked second in the league in passing?
"Not at all. That offense is designed to spread the ball around. Whatever the defense takes away, it's on to the next guy whether it's a checkdown or a tight end. It's not surprising at all."

Read the rest of the Transcript here: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman says New Orleans Saints are playing at a high level - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com