While corner back Aqib Talib is serving a four game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing substance policy, E. J. Biggers has been given a bigger role in the Bucs’ secondary as he steps in for his teammate.
Biggers season got off to a tough start, with a foot injury he sustained on the opening day of training camp, but he is not letting that get his spirits down; he handles things as they come.
Biggers season got off to a tough start, with a foot injury he sustained on the opening day of training camp, but he is not letting that get his spirits down; he handles things as they come.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Biggers said. “That was just something that kept me focused. I did that [and] stayed in the playbook. Got back on the field and everything is right back in place.”
Biggers may appear to be more confident on the field to some, but to himself he is still playing the same way he has always played – just doing his job.
“I think I play the same way at all times,” Biggers said. “Especially as a defensive back, you cannot lack confidence. That’s something you cannot lack. You just got to go out there and play hard and do your job. Try to make plays when the ball is thrown your way and deny your man the ball like coach Schiano stresses. Like I said you do your job [and] great things will happen.”
The fourth-year corner out of Western Michigan was just doing his job in the third quarter Sunday when he tipped the football that led to Ronde Barber’s 78 –yard interception return for a touchdown. As for the play, Biggers gave credit to the 16th year veteran Barber.
“We decided to keep the ball in the air as long as possible,” Biggers said. “We knew somebody would get to it. Most of the time it is 20 (Ronde Barber).”
Barber, who now has eight pick-sixes in his esteemed career, described what occurred on that play and gave credit to E.J. Biggers for the interception against the Chiefs as well as other INTs in the past.
“Just two slants, (and) I was covering the inside slant,” Barber said. “EJ (Biggers) actually made a great play; he’s gotten the assist on a couple of my interceptions the last couple of years. Give him more credit than me, I just snatched it off the ground before it hit, and then it was a pretty easy 78-yard run from there.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming game this week at home against division rival New Orleans, Biggers spoke about the challenges that are presented when playing a great quarterback such as Drew Brees and emphasized that as long as the Bucs did their job, good things would come.
“Always,” Biggers said. “Always a great challenge when you have Drew Brees. A great quarterback [and] a great offense. Great team over there in New Orleans. Division opponent. Like I said, long as we do our jobs great things will happen.”
With the Buccaneers coming off a week in which they did not allow an offensive touchdown, Biggers is not letting the Drew Brees touchdown streak take away from how he prepares for the game.
“Not at all,” Biggers said. “Like I said, we are focused on doing our jobs.”
The Bucs, who have eight interceptions credited to seven different players so far this season, will face a Saints QB who has 14 touchdowns to go along with his six
picks. As is always the case when facing the prolific passer Brees, the Bucs’ secondary will have to put in overtime to get the job done.
- Dory LeBlanc contributed to this report
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