Buccaneers defense does the reign dance

November 30, 10:30 PMTampa Bay Buccaneers ExaminerJ.J. Rodriguez

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MLB Barrett Ruud, the fourth-year veteran, leads the team in tackles

Tampa Bay defenders were well aware of the Saints offensive capabilities coming into this weekend's game. After all, they witnessed them first hand in their nail-biting loss during opening weekend in September. A game in which they surrendered 438 total yards, including 343 passing yards and three touchdowns by QB Drew Brees.

This time around, however, the Bucs were a determined defensive bunch. They held New Orleans to only 332 total yards, including a mere 44 yards rushing on 18 attempts (2.4 average). The Bucs only sacked Brees once, an eight yard loss, but kept him uncomfortable in the pocket enough to force three interceptions. The Bucs sealed the deal when CB Phillip Buchanon intercepted Brees with less than two minutes remaining in the game. 

The win puts Tampa Bay at 9-3, with next week's Monday night showdown in Carolina looming large.

OLB Cato June celebrates his endzone interception on Sunday

If there is one thing that this Tampa Bay squad has shown us this year, it's that opposing offenses are in for a long day against them. They bruise. They batter. They impose their will. And somewhere along the lines, I hear, they throw in the occasional noogie and even an over-the-shoulder pads wedgie from time to time, too.

Oh, and they are almost solely responsible for the Bucs being in the first place three-quarters of the way through the season.

Then again, what else would you expect from a Monte Kiffin coached defense?

Sure, there have been several ill-timed letdowns during the course of the season. A guy slips here, a blown tackle there. But the more and more you watch this team, the more you start to get that funny feeling in the pit of your stomach. The feeling that, hey, maybe we're onto something here. There are so many similarities between this squad and the 2002 championship team, it's almost eerie.

In 2002, we had Brad Johnson. An accurate, veteran, journeyman QB. In 2008, we have Jeff Garcia, an accurate, veteran, journeyman QB. In 2002, we had a running back-by-committee approach that included Michael Pittman, Mike Alstott and Aaron Stecker to name a few. In 2008, the backfield trio of Earnest Graham, Warrick Dunn, and Cadillac Williams are responsible for our rushing attack. The 2002 wideouts were a clutch, veteran-laden group that included Me-shawn, err Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell, and Joe Jurevicius. The 2008 group includes veterans Antonio Bryant, Michael Clayton, and Ike Hilliard.

The re-emergence of Cadillac Williams could pay big dividends

Of course, all of the 2002 Bucs that I mentioned have gone by the wayside, and yet, what has endured the test of time? The defense. They are our heart and soul. We will only go as far in the playoffs as they carry us. The offense has proven they can move the ball down field, but have shown an alarming trend of scoring field goals more often than touchdowns. In the playoffs, settling for field goals is a sure-fire way of finding the exit early.

Unless of course your defense has the capability of allowing less. Through six home games, the defense has allowed a paltry 76 points combined, or less than 13 per contest. Combine that with a rushing attack that is beginning to find its legs, averaging 118 yards a game (11th best in the NFL), and it's easy to see the Bucs as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Any team that can run the ball effectively and stop the run defensively is dangerous.

And who doesn't love a little danger now and then?