WE DAT!

by Niko Houllis on Dec 27, 2009 4:41 PM EST

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers accomplished more in the second half vs the Saints in the Superdome than they probably have all season long. In a state where unemployment is over 12%, several jobs were saved, including maybe the Head Coach Raheem Morris, whose defense has excelled in second half action the past two weeks. Connor Barth nailed the game winner in overtime to cement his status as a clutch kicker with 5 FGs in a row, Cadillac Williams ran for 129 yards on 24 carries to claim his status as team runner, and Quarterback Josh Freeman swatted off two interceptions like bayou mosquitoes to lead the Bucs to their second greatest comeback in team history, Tying a 17 point comeback vs the Colts; in Baltimore circa 1979.

The Bucs under Offensive Coordinator Greg Olsen has probably saved the position for himself and his coach, with a game plan that refused to go away from the run even down by three scores. In the final drive, the Bucs ran the ball on every play; the only pass play Freeman broke up the middle for a first down.

The game could not have been won however without the turn-around of the Tampa Bay defense, since changed back to the Tampa Two after the last game vs the Saints. In what started out as a repeat of that game, the Bucs gave up scores to the the Saints on their first three possessions of the first quarter, and a 17-0 lead. That was the last the Saints would score; this after allowing Drew Brees to break a New Orleans team record for 19 straight completions. But the defense bent but would not break, and in the end, it was the defense who bent but refused to break that kept the saints out of the end zone the rest of the game, and after the miss by Saints kicker Garrett Hartley took the best team in the NFC into overtime.

The extra period would not have been possible if not for the recurring heroics of Michael Spurlock, who joins Clifton Smith as Bucs who have returned Punts and kick offs for Touchdowns for the Bucs. Spurlock, just signed to replace Sammy Stroughter who was lost to IR, broke up the middle and refused to be caught.

So for Bucs fans who grew tired of hearing the "Who Dat" chant a few weeks ago at Raymond James, you now have an answer for them.

MUST SEE VIDEO BELOW!

Check out the looks on the faces of Saints Ownership, when they think they won the game on a FG!

PRICELESS!

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Awesome win

Lots of heroes today!

When life gives you lemons, draft Suh.

by aakks on Dec 27, 2009 4:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Some things to be proud of, as well as some concerns

+ Run game (Olson found the run page for the second straight week!)
+ Freeman’s second half (no ill-advised throws)
+ Defense in second half
+ Called blitzes (Good mix of playcalling)
+ Special Teams (Spurlock, Barth etc)
+ Cadilliac

- Tackling (Can’t continue to whiff)
- Slow start on offense
- Freeman’s first half (settle down young fellow)
- Penalties.

The effort seems to be there. The results are starting to come. They still have some issues to correct (discipline and tackling are the most obvious) but a lost season has provided us a few things to celebrate besides a top draft pick.

Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow

by Buc Wild on Dec 27, 2009 4:59 PM EST reply actions

Concern:

Sabby Piscitelli- CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TEACH THIS GUY HOW TO TACKLE?
Also I didn’t like calling blitzes on Brees- It was important that we do get pressure while we have coverage. Sean Payton was way too conservative with his playcalling. Yet we had to stop those underneath routes.

Desean Jackson is one hell of a guy

by 4QB on Dec 27, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions

Very conservative. I really thought they'd come out gunz a blazing, but they didn't.

I’m afraid they over looked us and we came to play. Still happy to win though, now we need to trade to get our Suh or take McCoy.

by bucnut1 on Dec 27, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions

To me, it solidifies that this coaching staff should remain (Morris)

and including Olsen too. With a few tweeks of some of the position coaches, and an influx of greater talent, we can see how Morris can coach guys to accomplish something like this.

No one should even think of posting ANYTHING about a lucky win, or these arnt the real Saints, or any excuse filled stuff like that. Bucs supporters were not allowed to make excuses all year, so its not going to start now. Saints got beaten by an inspired football team playing WAY over their heads.

Go Lions! en-dom-e-ken in 2010! Or we'll take McCoy for the Saints to enjoy.

by Niko Houllis on Dec 27, 2009 5:05 PM EST reply actions

True

If Morris stays i want him to be more of an Overall HC though, not struggling between DC and HC at the same time. So, a few things:

- Get a QB Coach= Specifically for Freeman to take full control of this O next year.
- Get a DC= One that knows the tampa two or at least doesn’t have a crazy scheme that requires specific players.
- DO THE ABOVE QUICK= Its important everyone has time to know the scheme (T2 or something else)

Desean Jackson is one hell of a guy

by 4QB on Dec 27, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

Of course you do.

by bucnut1 on Dec 27, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions

wow morris closed the vice on the saints in the 2nd half.great to see the last few games it coming together.

i,m not sold, but i think without question we have seen this team grow.how about that 98 yard drive.we could have beaten them by 15 or 20 with out some key turnovers.i agree niko i would like to see one more year with morris in control like he is now .i dont think we need a dc. morris is getting the job done(as of late).but if we could get cower that would be something.if not i,m starting to feel like the bucs are not in bad hands.olsen is stepping up too. we had some awesome drives today.what a fun game to watch.

by magicman775 on Dec 27, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

My only problem with Cowher is...

that it will require a complete overhaul of the Bucs. Cowher is a 3-4 guy. He is going to go with what he knows. As we now are well aware of, we do NOT have guys for the 3-4. It will require two years of restocking players.

There is NOTHING in history to say that Cowher will have success here like he did at Pittsburgh.
Ray Perkins built the early 80s Giants. He stunk here.
Leeman Bennett had a powerful Atlanta team in the playoffs for several years. He won 4 games in 2 years here.
Sam Wyche had a powerful Bengals offense and took them to the Superbowl. Never won more than 7 games in a season, and that was the best season in 14 years.

The succesful guys, McKay…was a college coach that people wondered if he could make the transition to the Pros. Many were convinced after 0-26 that he could not.
Dungy- While everyone wanted Parcells or Jimmy Johnson, or Spurrier, Dungy was the guy who turned us around.

I will be doing an article this week on how to put fans back in the stands again. Just like we did in 97, with wins. Not names.

Go Lions! en-dom-e-ken in 2010! Or we'll take McCoy for the Saints to enjoy.

by Niko Houllis on Dec 28, 2009 5:04 AM EST up reply actions

Y'all dat

And it looks increasingly likely that the Bucs will continue to be the only NFC South team with a Lombardi. The Saints are looking like an incredibly lifelike inflatable Superbowl team with a slow leak.

Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston

by MtnExile on Dec 27, 2009 5:27 PM EST reply actions

Hey, in 02 we lost the second to the last game on MNF....without Brad Johnson..

and won game 16 in chicago 15-0 without Brad either. We had a bye week, then we beat the 49ers. You guys will play your playoff game one MONTH from today.

Dont sweat it. But Craig T was correct, Dallas left the blueprint on how to beat you, run up the middle. So your coaching staff needs to address that if it is indeed a weakness.

also, Bucs and Giants are ONLY NFC teams to win a Superbowl this decade!
As a Bucs historian, New Orleans reminds me of the Vikings when the Bucs were in the NFC Central. The visitor would always seem to win.
Now that its over, Ive not nothing against the Saints, more power to ya…go give em hell for the Division.

Go Lions! en-dom-e-ken in 2010! Or we'll take McCoy for the Saints to enjoy.

by Niko Houllis on Dec 27, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

Nice win for you guys

You’ve made this Falcons fan a little skittish about next Sunday’s game. I’ll pop a question thread up soon.

by Dave Choate on Dec 27, 2009 7:16 PM EST reply actions

great video Niko

love the ’who dat missed dat field goal"?

the ghost of stokes, camp, lugo strikes TB-sept 2009

by CubFanRaysaddict on Dec 27, 2009 7:30 PM EST reply actions

I like the way we played

… That said I’d still take Cower…

Go Magic/Bucs/Gators/Rays!

by chiefs_55 on Dec 27, 2009 8:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions

i agree.how could you not take cower.

by magicman775 on Dec 27, 2009 8:24 PM EST up reply actions

For the promise of another 3-13 season.

by bucnut1 on Dec 27, 2009 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

This is fun

I live with my friends that is a saints fan and when we was watching the game I was sick of the first half then my saints buddys said ehh drink all this rum maybe ur team will win so I did then after the game was over i went to my room and got two rums and said I feel like going to a Mardigra right now hahaha

IF U AIN'T A BUC GET THE BUC OUT OF HERE

by WE GOING TO THE SHIP on Dec 27, 2009 11:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Dallas Cowboy fan here...

Isnt it just so freaking cool to be the only team along with the Cowboys to beat down these upstarts?….I watched the game with a sinking feeling, and when Hartley lined up to kick that FG I almost couldnt watch…Concratulations, and props for the good game…Im sure that the Aints will be busy making excuses, and denying their loss to anything less than God being against them…Good luck in the off season, and wil look forward to watching your progress next year…Again, congrats for the exciting win against the Saints…FEAR THE STAR

by Hawgz, Bugz, and FilthyFowl Hater on Dec 28, 2009 9:05 AM EST reply actions

Well your Fear the Star comment got a lot of attention on here lol!!

Thanks for the compliment.
Your lucky we didnt have connor barth when we played you game one, or played with a Tampa Two defense, we would have taken you.

Anyways, you guys are playing much better football now, and to be honest, I think Dallas is one of the hottest teams right now. You are peaking at the right time. And that is all that matters.
Im thinking Dallas could go to the Superbowl this year, but I still say Minnesota can shut down the Saints rushing game, and the Vikes can run on N.O. all day long.
You guys though are the wild card here. I dont mean Wild card team, I mean your play is unpredictable.
Good luck, thanks for stopping by.

Go Lions! en-dom-e-ken in 2010! Or we'll take McCoy for the Saints to enjoy.

by Niko Houllis on Dec 28, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

I think NO will fix what ever problems they're having right now. That O is still scary good.

Don’t count out Philadelphia either, they’re playing pretty good ball too and are leading that division as well. Arizona could always sneak back in the SB as well, it’s a new season after next week, anything can happen.

by bucnut1 on Dec 28, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions