TK’S BUCS PICK

 BUCS AT SAINTS

                                                        SAINTS -3

                                    SKINNY: Defense- Need turnovers!

Bucs: As much as coaches disregard the preseason, I like to take a different approach. It's my belief that what you do in rehearsal's dictates what the real performance will be. Psychologically, it instills a frame of mind. Trends are set. For the Bucs defense, I came away impressed with their tenacity and turnover ratio. Last year at this time, they were weak in that area. Not this year, which we believe will carry over to this game on Sunday at the Superdome. It has to! The defense will likely be called upon to keep the Bucs in games for at least the first couple of weeks while the offense has a chance to settle in. Their task this week is a hefty one. Will they be up to the challenge?

Saints: Saints defense is much improved from a year ago. To be honest, that's not saying much since they had no defense a year ago. However, they have shored up their front line and secondary. They are far more aggressive and capable. It showed in the preseason.

Keys: Bucs – Turnovers and 3rd down efficiency Saints- Establish their presence at home early

Bucs: As much as Quarterback Jeff Garcia says he's ready for this game, I'm not going to go that far. Mentally, he is as sharp as ever. However, he had little time in the preseason to get use to the speed of the game. One half in the preseason is not enough. I look for Garcia to be at his best in week three. Then there's Joey Galloway, who better play Sunday. Galloway's shoulder is not 100%, but he says he can go with it. He even so much as joked, saying the Saints might as well play single coverage on him since he's hurt and ineffective. What could help this offense Sunday is the running game. Graham, Dunn and Bennett are a very nice trio to go to. Look for the Bucs to get that part of the game established early. The O-line gets put to the test. Can the Rookie Jeremy Zuttah hold his own in his first NFL start? If not, Sean Mahan returns to the roster and might get the call in relief.

Saints: Drew Brees. It starts with him and ends with Marques Colston. A very capable tandem that has had past success against this Buccaneers defense. Jeremy Shockey is now their tight end. He's rated high in fantasy football. With Brees as the delivery boy, Shockey only becomes that much more affective.

KEYS: Bucs: No turnovers, clock management Saints: Force Bucs to blitz

                                    Skinny: Special Teams –

Bucs- Matt Bryant will be called on. He needs to deliver. Bryant told me Wednesday that making those final three field goals in last preseason game definitely helped. As he says, your only as good as your last kick. Let's hope so. Dexter Jackson is the new return guy. Will the rookie come through. Field position is always a key, but on the road it is paramount.

Saints - Good punter in Weatherford.…good kicker, guess who? Martin Grammatica! ….good coverage teams

With this being the Saints first season opener in home in four years, and the city of New Orleans surviving another major hurricane in Gustav, do you think that crowd will be jacked up. I spoke with Warrick Dunn, who was with Atlanta when they played NO after Katrina at the Superdome. He will never forget the feeling, the electricity. I'm afraid home field advantage this week is worth 6 points to NO, and it will be emotion that carries the Saints to victory. Tough opener for the Bucs in many different ways. So, I'm taking the