saint5221

This weekends Game against the Bucs is a very winnable game with some good match ups for us. Also it could put us in the winning side of the colum for the first time this season. Every game is a must win monster from here on out, but this one could be the turning point up instead of down and out.

We already know the run defense of the Bucs is soft in the middle, But the passing game should have its chances to make plays this week. The Bucs already thin at CB lost another starting corner ,Wansley and the secondary is getting resuffled again. The Bucs are moving there FS Dwight Smith to corner and bringing in reserve FS Jermaine Phillips off the bench to play SS. Lynch is just back and not a good cover safety now. This is a patchwork secondary at best. If the Bucs load the box to controll Deuce we have to make them pay. Joe and Jarome need to get back on track and take advantage of the chances to exploit some serious mismatches.

Joe Jurevicius was placed on injured reserve and McCardell is still banged up. That leaves an already weak group of recivers even weaker. Add the injuries and poor play of the Bucs O line, a good passing but not mobile QB and the opportunities for Grant and Howard are there as well. We should be able to put an extra player in the box and help our weak running defense and hold our own in the secondary .

Since the Jags knocked them out of the playoffs already the Bucs don't have much to play for. The only thing left is pride and the chance to knock off a team that swept them last year and prevent it from happening again. While spoiler is a fun role for some I find it hard to see this team and its ego embracing this role whole heartedly after there lofty ambitions for this season. I don't think they will roll over like dogs and let us rub there soft bellies, but this is a team falling apart.

If we can somehow avoid all the early mistakes, punch them hard fast, get some points on the board early, its big two ways. 1: Mentaly it hurts them, confidence is in short supply on this team ,lets make it crumble more. 2: Points early will force them to pass more. A very good thing for us as the Bucs don't pass well and we have problems against the run, even a mediorce attack like the Bucs.

A team as eratic as the Saints can struggle and lose to anyone, but the chances should be there for us this week. This game could be a big confidence booster and a key to this season, if we step up and take it. Make the plays and not the mistakes.

I'd like to hear what every one else thinks about this game.



[Edited on 12/3/2003 by saint5221]