Buccaneer Monday: Domination starts with "D"

Yesterday's 31-14 blitzing of the New Orleans Saints looks even better to this Buccaneer fan a day later, with time to consider what happened. And it wasn't as close as the score would indicate, as the Bucs held a 28-0 lead in the third quarter and pretty much coasted the rest of the way.

Just glancing at the stats reveals some remarkable facts, hopefully harbingers of things to come for the 2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

• QB Jeff Garcia had five completions of 20 or more yards, two of which went to WR Joey Galloway for touchdowns.
• Guys who in my estimation had been struggling, like CB Philip Buchanon and S Jermaine Phillips, showed up in a big way with tackles and coverage.
• P Josh Bidwell showed again why he's the best punter in football, as he allowed the Saints zero returns on five punts that either went out of bounds deep or were fair-caught.
• The defense held Saints RB Reggie Bush to just 27 yards rushing, and RB Deuce McAllister, with 49 yards, fared only slightly better.
• WR Michael Clayton's crushing block to spring Galloway for a 69-yard TD will be shown on highlight reels for years to come.
• LBs Cato June (with a leaping interception) and Barrett Ruud led a tenacious defensive effort, which included key sacks by defensive line newcomers Kevin Carter and Greg White (right, on top of Saints RB and former Buc Aaron Stecker).

Yes, I know it's only one win, and yes, the schedule doesn't get much easier as the Bucs face St. Louis, Carolina, and Indianapolis in the next three weeks (the latter two on the road). But then again, I can see the team being 3-2 at the end of that stretch, including 2-0 in the division and 3-1 in the conference, and that's pretty good for the first third of the season in a relatively weak NFC South.

I've said all along that the Saints are the most overrated team in the NFL this year, and getting blown out by the Colts and Bucs seems to confirm that, at least for me. Don't get me wrong, New Orleans: I love your city, but I don't like your team.

Bring on the Rams!