“It stings more than a normal loss would just because of where we were in the season having made it so far being undefeated and then having a chance at a perfect season,” said Saints quarterback Drew Brees Wednesday. “But you have to be able to turn into a positive somehow, some way and I feel like we absolutely can do that. What it’s done is it’s clarified things as far as we know that we win this game, that we are the one seed in the NFC and that’s all that matters. That was a big goal on our list of goals as a team. So that’s what’s important.”
The Saints host the 2-12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in the Dome, and a win by the Saints would secure home field throughout the playoffs. “I think the key is playing well and correcting the mistakes from last week and doing the things necessary to win a game. Turnovers will be critical; mistakes, obviously and field position,” says Saints head coach Sean Payton. “This is a real good return team we’re playing. They’re first in the league in kick returns and they’re in the top ten in punt returns. They’re very good on special team and they’re playing a lot better defensively than when we saw them the first time around. That’s the challenge for us, really.”
“We just got to do things better as a team. We got to eliminate a lot of mistakes and just finish games better, finish plays better and just do what we’re doing,” Saints running back Mike Bell said. “When you watch the tape you can see that we’re making a lot of mistakes.”
Defensively the Saints have had their struggles with teams successfully running the football, finding space over the middle and generating big plays. All of these areas will be a focus for correction in the weeks leading to the playoff game.
“They’re just trying to find different ways to attack us. Whether it’s over the middle or wherever it’s at, teams are going to try and do that, that’s what they get paid to do. They’re going to try and scheme some things up, draw up some different pictures and you know do some things that we haven’t seen before,” says safety Roman Harper who adds the defense is disappointed that they’ve struggled of late in getting off the field. “We got to be able to get off the field on third down. We haven’t done well with that the last couple of weeks, and that’s what it’s about. They don’t convert on third down, drives are stalled, and it’s giving a chance and an opportunity for our offense to get on the field.”
BUMPS AND BRUISES
Cornerback Jabari Greer (groin), defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (knee), tailback Reggie Bush (hamstring) and tight end Jeremy Shockey (toe) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. Greer had sports hernia surgery just two weeks ago, and his practicing at all is a good sign that the much missed corner will definitely be ready to go come the playoffs.
Five Saints did not practice. Safety Darren Sharper missed practice with soreness in the knee that kept him out of a game this season. Receiver Lance Moore’s injury riddled season continues. Moore missed over a month with a high ankle sprain, and on Saturday night injured the other ankle. Linebacker Scott Shanle and cornerback Randall Gay missed practice due to both players having suffered concussions in the game against Dallas. Hip and abdomen injuries kept cornerback Usama Young out.
Shanle finished the game against Dallas and now says as far as his playing status for Sunday, he’ll have to check off various things on a list to prove there are no lingering effects from Saturday’s concussion. “Just to make sure that you can do normal activities, you know lifting, practice, stuff like that without any effects as far as loss of balance or anything like. Just to make sure you have normal function,” Schanle said Wednesday adding that he had headaches for two days following the game.
Other players that practiced on a limited basis were: LT Jermon Bushrod (thumb), RT Jon Stinchcomb (knee), G Jahri Evans (toe), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee), LB Scott Fujita (knee), and DE Bobby McCray (back).
BUSH SAYS HE’LL PLAY SUNDAY
Apparently Reggie Bush’s injury on Saturday night looked worse then it turned out to be. Bush in the second quarter pulled up lame after catching a pass over the middle and never returned. The way Bush limped off the field and threw his helmet to the ground made one believe it could have been a hamstring injury. It turned out to be simply a severe cramp.
“It was really like a really bad cramp. Probably as bad as it can get before you strain it,” Bush said following practice on Wednesday. “I think I was just pretty dehydrated. It’s like the first time that ever happen to me in a football game.”
When asked if he was going to play Sunday, Bush simply responded with a yes. “I feel great. I practiced today full speed, so I feel good. The doctors know I’m good.”
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