Buccaneers at Saints
Week 1
Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: WTVT Channel 13.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM, 103.5 and WDAE-AM, 620); Sirius Channel 140.
Weather: The game is played in a soulless dome, though if a dome ever had a soul it would be the Louisiana Superdome. The French Quarter being a few short blocks away does make up for the f’ing roof. Constant temperature of 72. If Bucs fans travel to New Orleans, AccuWeather.com predicts temperatures outside amid the tourists, diners and drunks of Bourbon Street to be in the mid-80s under partly sunny skies. If you do happen to be in New Orleans this weekend, Joe is jealous.
Odds: From Bodog.com: New Orleans -3.5.
Outlook: As it has so often in Bucs history, the game will come down to the Bucs’ defense. With Deuce McAllister healthy and Reggie Bush apparently washing his hands of that lardass brunette Paris Hilton-wannabe girlfriend of his, and, of course Drew Brees, this game will test the Bucs’ defenders.
Those in the know claim the Saints’ defense is a sieve. But the Bucs struggled mightily against New Orleans last year on the road, and if not for a moronic play called by Saints coach Sean Payton (who Joe went to college with) near the end of the game which allowed the Bucs to get a turnover, score a quick touchdown and steal a win, the Bucs would have lost.
It also concerns Joe that Jeff Garcia (sore pinky) and Joey Galloway (troublesome groin) have not played in any worthless preseason games and their practice time has been limited. How well these two guys can flip the switch will go a long way to determine how the Bucs fare. Look for the largely ignored Tampa Bay running game to move the chains.