History doesn’t favor Bucs; Saints in hunt to challenge

• By LES EAST
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Sep 6, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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If history is a good indicator, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practically eliminated themselves from the 2008 NFC South Division title race by winning the 2007 title.

Of course, the Buccaneers —who open the season against the Saints on Sunday in the Superdome — have as good a chance as anyone and they are generally considered one of the favorites. But since play began in the NFC South in 2001, every time a team has attempted to repeat as division champion, it has fallen flat.

Tampa Bay won the inaugural title in 2002, then finished third while Carolina won the 2003 title.

In 2004, the Panthers slipped to third while Atlanta won the title. In 2005, the Falcons dropped to third as the Buccaneers and Panthers tied for first. Tampa Bay won the title in a tiebreaker.

In 2006, Tampa Bay fell to last (and Carolina was second) as New Orleans won the division.

Last season, the Saints tied the Panthers for second as the Buccaneers captured their second title in three seasons and their fourth in the division’s six seasons.

So Sunday’s game shapes up as being as influential as a game in week one can, as it pairs the organizations that have combined for the last three NFC South titles, and the Bucs and Saints are generally considered the favorites this season.

But September expectations and late-December standings often don’t jive.

The biggest obstacle to Tampa Bay repeating — besides history — figures to be age. Many of the Buccaneers’ key players are reaching the downside of their careers.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia is 38 years old, and that’s enough of a concern that coach Jon Gruden considered trading for another 38-year-old quarterback — Brett Favre. Wide receiver Joey Galloway, historically a Saints killer, is 36.

Gruden is counting on a tough physical defense, orchestrated by longtime coordinator and former Saints assistant Monte Kiffin, to lead the way.

Tampa Bay had the second-ranked defense in the NFL last season and still features stalwarts in linebacker Derrick Brooks and cornerback Ronde Barber.

The Bucs signed center Jeff Faine away from the Saints in free agency to anchor the offensive line and lead a running game that could feature former Saint Michael Bennett.