Saints QB Drew Brees threw two interceptions in the final 2:24 with S Jermaine Phillips setting up the game-winning field goal and CB Phillip Buchanon sealing the victory for the Bucs with 105 seconds to play.
Brees still threw for 298 yards in the game and remains on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season passing record.
Bucs QB Jeff Garcia tried to make up for a 9-of-23 passing performance by rushing for 42 yards.
Said Garcia, “It wasn’t happening easily through the air. We needed to battle through and do what we could do.”
The much-maligned Saints defense gave them a chance to win on a day when their offense couldn’t get in gear.
Saints LB Jonathan Vilma had seven tackles, a sack and forced two fumbles.
Bucs DE Gaines Adams and DT Jovan Haye each left the game with injuries, but Adams managed to pick up a half-sack despite the pain.
Saints RB Reggie Bush returned from a knee injury but was benched after dropping two passes, rushing three times for zero yards and returning two punts for -16 yards.
Said Saints WR Lance Moore, “They are aggressive. If there was a play out there to make, they made it. They played well. We have to give them credit.”
The Bucs only committed one penalty leading coach Jon Gruden to say, “We’ve got a disciplined group of guys. It’s very important to them. They kept their poise and won a hard, tough football game.”
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Pewter Pirates, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:45 pm
It’s time for the Bucs entire LB Core and Secondary to get a hard look for Pro Bowl balloting. This includes Derrick Brooks, Barrett Ruud, Cato June, Ronde Barber, Tanard Jackson, Jermaine Phillips and Phillip Buchanon.
Then toss in the unbelieveable play from LT Donald Penn, QB Jeff Garcia, RG Davin Joseph and C Jeff Faine and you have a ship-load of Buccaneers who should be sailing to Hawaii.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
SF Saints Fan, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 2:14 pm
Go figure the Bucs had only one penalty. Hard to believe isn’t it?
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Pewter Pirates, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 2:39 pm
I was at the game yesterday. I bought a poncho before the game only to sell it to a fellow fan and his 8 year old daughter after the ponchos were sold out (for a profit of 1 beer). Needless to say I was soaked by the end of the 1st Quarter. But, as a real fan would, I stayed in my seat and watched the rest of the game. So shame on all of you fair-weather pukes who ran under the protection of the concession areas. I assure you that in no way, shape or from are you made of sugar and you wouldn’t have melted away with every drop.
As far as the game goes, it’s amazing that Jeremy Shockey can run directly at Ronde Barber, bump into him and have Ronde Barber called for Illegal Contact. Not only was this a complete breakdown in NFL Officiating, it was completely on the other side of the field and away from the play AND negated a spectacular INT made by FS Tanard Jackson in the endzone and it allowed the ‘Aints another opportunity to score what ended up being the most pivotal spot in the game. As has been the case since Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans ‘Aints benefited from a bogus call made late in the game against thier opponents. Luckily for Tampa Bay, it didn’t cost them the game. Even Brian Billick and Brian Baldinger (who’s terrible btw) pointed this sham of a call out during the broadcast (sorry no link).
Although New Orleans trumped the Bucs in yardage, this game wasn’t nearly as close as the Bucs allowed it to be.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Kool Herc, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 2:53 pm
“Go figure the Bucs had only one penalty. Hard to believe isn’t it?”
- I can believe it and that penalty was complete BS too, Ronde shouldn’t be flagged when Shockey runs into him at full speed.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Obidan, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 3:13 pm
Brees may be on his way to breaking Marino’s single season passing yardage record, but Marino went 14-2 and went to the Super Bowl. Balance is the key Payton. Run the damned ball now and again will ya?
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Pewter Pirates, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 3:38 pm
SF Saints Fan says:
December 1st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Go figure the Bucs had only one penalty. Hard to believe isn’t it?
No it’s not, but what is hard to believe is the call made against Ronde Barber for Illegal Contact that ended up being the Bucs’ only penalty. It was a phantom call made away from the play on the field and not only did it negate an Bucs’ INT, it ALLOWED the ‘Aints to get back into the game.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
NR4, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 4:15 pm
No it’s not, but what is hard to believe is the call made against Ronde Barber for Illegal Contact that ended up being the Bucs’ only penalty. It was a phantom call made away from the play on the field and not only did it negate an Bucs’ INT, it ALLOWED the ‘Aints to get back into the game.
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That call was also really late, after the INT was made. Which leads me to believe it was a pipe job.
On the Saints ensuing second life TD, they got a way with a blatant hold that allowed the play to develop.
I’m not surprised Brees has only been sacked 11 times. They’re holding on every offensive series and it’s never called!
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
brasho, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 4:18 pm
I’ve noticed nobody mentioned the blown non-replay at the end of the 2nd quarter. Reggie Bust caught a ball was on his way to the ground and got stripped and Bucs recovered. Refs said he was down, no chance, the replay booth should have initiated a replay but they didn’t and on the next play the Saints scored a TD making it 10-6 Saints. That was BS… it seems that just because the knuckleheads in the booth didn’t call it, that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)