Are 1-8 Buccaneers ready for 9-0 Saints? Sunday pregame news and notes

November 22, 11:31 AMTampa Bay Sports ExaminerTed Fleming

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Buccaneers' rookie QB Josh Freeman faces the biggest test of his professional career against Saints.

AP Photo/Hans Deryk

TAMPA – Had it not been for a disputed call in the game against the Dolphins last Sunday the Buccaneers could be riding their first win streak of the season as they hoist the undefeated Saints at Raymond James Stadium.

Things are looking up for the Pewter Pirates since quarterback Josh Freeman got his first start and even though they are looking at their first losing season since 2006 more and more positives are starting to show for the rebuilding of the franchise.

For the second consecutive game, Freeman rallied his team for a chance at a win and so far this season has a 79.9 QB Rating. He will have to be on top of his game today as he faces the toughest team yet in his short professional career. On the other sideline New Orleans has a gunslinger by the name of Drew Brees holding forth at 104.6

Kicker Connor Barth is beginning to zero in on the goal posts in just his second game in a Tampa Bay uniform hitting three from 50-yards and beyond. He is first kicker in team history and just the fourth in NFL history to make three field goals of 50 yards or more in the same game.

Safety Tanard Jackson forced another fumble, the fourth straight game he has done that and Aquib Talib leads the team in interceptions with five. The secondary will have to come up big in order to keep the game close enough for Freeman to have any chance.

NOTES vs. SAINTS: Tampa Bay has won seven of the last 11 meetings against the Saints, including three of the last four contests played at Raymond James Stadium ….. New Orleans holds a 20-14 all-time advantage ….. Ronde Barber tied his career-high and tied his own club record (equaled by Aqib Talib earlier this season) with three interceptions at New Orleans (12/4/05), including one at the Bucs’ goal line with less than two minutes remaining in the game to preserve the Tampa Bay victory ….. DE Stylez G. White posted first career NFL sack vs. New Orleans (9/16/07).

INJURY REPORT:
PROBABLE - WR Antonio Bryant (knee), QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee) and CB Torrie Cox (not injury related)
QUESTIONABLE – CB Elbert Mack (ankle)

LINEUP CHANGES:
None

INACTIVES:
QB Byron Leftwich, WR Brian Clark, WR Yamon Figurs, T James Lee, DB Elbert Mack, CB Mike Mickens, DT Dre Moore, G Shawn Murphy.

OFFICIALS:
Referee - Walt Coleman (65)
Umpire - Jeff Rice (44)
Head Linesman - Julian Mapp (52)
Line Judge - Jeff Bergman (32)
Field Judge - Scott Steenson (88)
Side Judge - Rick Patterson (15)
Back Judge - Bob Schmitz (122)
Replay - Bill Spyksma
Supervisor - Jim Duke

GAME INFO:
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Site: Raymond James Stadium (65,890)
2009 Records: Tampa Bay 1-8, New Orleans 9-0
Network Television: FOX
Play-by-Play: Sam Rosen, Analyst: Tim Ryan
Bucs Radio: US 103.5, flagship station (103.5 FM, 620 AM)
Play-by-Play: Gene Deckerhoff, Color: Dave Moore, Sideline: T.J. Rives
Last Game: Tampa Bay lost at Miami 25-23; New Orleans won at St. Louis 28-23
Next Game: Tampa Bay at Atlanta (11/29); New Orleans vs. New England (11/30)