The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing for the number one rated offense in the NFL on Sunday when the New Orleans Saints invade Raymond James Stadium to take on the Bucs. The Saints are coming off of an impressive 51-29 win against the Green Bay Packers last Monday night. New Orleans tied a team record for points scored and touchdowns in a game (seven).

"It is a great challenge. These guys are hot right now coming off a big win against a Green Bay team that was trying to take the lead in the North," said defensive tackle Chris Hovan. "[Quarterback] Drew Brees has had an MVP year. They talk about [quarterback] Kurt Warner in Arizona, and this guy in New Orleans is really leading his team to victories. They are dangerous."

Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden's thoughts were in accordance with Hovan. Gruden also included his former understudy, Saints head coach Sean Payton.

"They have a great quarterback. It starts right there," said Gruden. "The guy is a great player. He's in one heck of a scheme.

"I think the continuity has really helped them. Drew is a great player and Sean is a great coach. Those two guys together collaborate on one heck of a scheme. They have some weapons. What can I say? They get hot at times and are hard to deal with. Carolina beat them, Atlanta beat them. We've got to play a great game to beat them also."

Brees leads the Saints number one rated passing offense, and is coming off of a dominant game against the Packers where he completed 20-of-26 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns. The Buccaneers went against Brees in Week 1 of the season at New Orleans, and weakside linebacker Derrick Brooks said that there are no surprises with this division rival.

"Ever since coach Payton has been there, their offense has been pretty good," said Brooks. "It is nothing new to us facing their passing attack as well as their ground game. It is nothing new to us, because we faced them before. Again, it is a familiar division opponent, and we have to bring our A-game. The last time we played them, we wanted to prevent the big plays to give us a chance to win. Unfortunately we gave up a couple in the first game of the season, and that ended up being the difference. Going up against the Saints, we respect them. The model is the same. We have to keep the ball in front of us. We know they are going to take their shots downfield with mass protection."

One player that was victimized in those shots downfield was rookie cornerback Aqib Talib. Since that first game, Talib has emerged as a playmaker for Tampa Bay and leads the team in interceptions with three.

"We have to keep all of the routes in front of us and let nothing behind us," said Talib. "We have to tackle well. They get a lot of yards after the catch. We're going to try to disrupt their timing and try to get some pressure on them.

"They're the number one passing offense in the league. Coach Kiffin has been in the lab and has put a few things together, so hopefully we'll be able to stand up to the challenge."

Talib feels that he will be more prepared for the Saints this time around.

"I've learned a whole lot [since the first meeting with the Saints]," said Talib. "Stay deeper than the deepest."

Another way Bucs players discussed defending Brees and the potent New Orleans offense was to keep the Saints off the field. Starting running back Warrick Dunn highlighted the need to do that.

"They have a great offense and talented quarterback," said Dunn. "We also have a talented defense. We're confident in our defense, but we have to do our part to help this team. We have to control the line of scrimmage, and make plays. That will help us keep the Saints offense off the field."

BUCS LOOK TO GET A PASS RUSH
Throughout the season the Saints have had good pass protection for Brees. Through 11 games, Brees has only been sacked nine times. The Buccaneers bring a streaking pass rush into the game with nine sacks in the last two games.

"You saw on Monday night what happens when you don't rush Drew Brees," said Hovan. "They had two sacks and those were on blitzes, and coverage sacks. You need to get pressure on this guy quick, and in his face. It is imperative that we get pressure up the middle on this guy. He doesn't like pressure in his face. He is a great quarterback, and we will have to do everything that we can to get to him. It could really determine the momentum in the game. If he is hot, he's hot."

One player that will be counted on to help rush Brees is defensive lineman Jimmy Wilkerson. The Bucs defensive lineman had two sacks last Sunday against the Lions. One came from defensive tackle, and the other came from defensive end. Wilkerson agrees with Hovan about the necessity to pressure Brees.

"Brees is a smart quarterback, one of the smartest in the league," said Wilkerson. "He knows when to hold it and when to throw it. We've got to get in his face and get our hands up because he's not a very tall quarterback. If we can disrupt him and keep our defensive backs and linebackers on the receivers, tight ends and running backs we have a good chance to pick off some passes and force him to run.

"Playing in the first game, that wasn't us. We weren't firing on all cylinders and we didn't do a lot of things right. We're going to learn from that and watch the film. We're going to be more prepared. This defense has really come together and we know and understand what it takes to be a great defense."

Defensive end Greg White got his first sack of the season vs. the Saints in Week 1, and currently has 4.5 sacks on the season. White will be going up against the Saints standout left tackle Jammal Brown and right tackle Jon Stinchcomb.

"You just have to keep coming and trying to get after him. You have to be relentless against this guy," said White. "He gets the ball out fast. He's also elusive, believe it or not. They're going to throw the ball, and we need to bring it. If we don't we'll be in for a long day."

BUCS HOPE FOR RETURN OF SMITH, PHILLIPS
Tampa Bay is hoping to have the return of two starters against the Saints. Safety Jermaine Phillips was injured against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 26. Phillips' injury required surgery on his forearm, and he has been out the past three games. Tight end Alex Smith has been out the last two games with an ankle injury.

"They were both limited on the field," said Gruden. "That's a good sign since they are better than they were last week. There's a chance [they will play]."

Smith sprained an ankle in 2007, and missed time that season. He was asked if he will play this Sunday, and if his injury is same as the one he sustained last year.

"I hope so," said Smith. "We'll give it a try today and see how it goes.

"It is a little different. It wasn't just my ankle this time, so it was something new that I had to deal with. It has taken more time than I would have liked it to, but hopefully it is coming around now."

On the official injury report the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had four players listed. Quarterback Brian Griese (elbow), Phillips, and Smith were all listed as having limited participation in practice. Wide receiver Ike Hilliard (shoulder) was on the injury report with full participation.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Buccaneers running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams when discussing his first game action since Week 4 of the 2007 season last week vs. the Lions.

"It felt real good to get in there and test my knee. I was only expecting to get maybe three or four carries. But once they stuck me in there it was good for me. It was a confidence builder. My knee responded well. I felt good.

"I was dead nervous. The night before the game I didn't sleep at all. It was like we were playing in the Super Bowl or something. I couldn't sleep, but overall it went well."

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