Jameis Winston will get a second crack at his former crew on Sunday on the Superdome.
The Saints quarterback, whom the Buccaneers drafted first general in 2015, wish to neglect the primary time he performed in opposition to Tampa Bay.
Winston, having led New Orleans to 4 wins of their first six video games in 2021, suffered a left knee damage on a deal with by Buccaneers linebacker Devin White within the Saints’ seventh sport of the season and missed the remainder of the 12 months.
“Hopefully, I don’t should relive that second once more,” Winston advised reporters this week. “I’m simply urgent ahead and maintaining my eyes targeted on this week.”
Winston and the Saints (1-0) will press ahead with a house opener in opposition to the Buccaneers (1-0). The Saints gained final week at Atlanta due to the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise historical past, scoring 17 consecutive factors within the ultimate 12 minutes to win 27-26.
The Bucs acquired to 1-0 with a 19-3 highway win over the Cowboys due to working again Leonard Fournette’s 127 yards speeding.
For Winston, it’s an opportunity to beat Tom Brady, the quarterback whom the Bucs changed him with and who gained a Tremendous Bowl two seasons in the past.
“They’re simply one other crew,’’ Winston insisted. “I’ve acquired numerous respect for lots of these gamers, a few of my previous teammates, however, on the finish of the day it’s a division sport, going in opposition to the perfect in Tom Brady. However I don’t get to go in opposition to him. I get to go in opposition to Devin White and [linebacker] Lavonte David and [safety] Antoine Winfield and [defensive tackle] Vita Vea and [edge rusher] Shaq Barrett.’’
For Brady and the Bucs, the Saints have been an issue of late. Tampa Bay is 0-4 in regular-season video games in opposition to New Orleans since Brady joined the crew. In that span, Brady was intercepted eight instances in these losses.
“That’s in all probability the factor that jumps out essentially the most — turnovers,” Brady mentioned this week. “They’re a really bodily crew. I believe they beat us up bodily. It’s a troublesome, hard-nosed crew. They’re very properly coached.”
The Saints are led by first-year coach Dennis Allen, who was New Orleans’ defensive coordinator for the primary three of these video games and served as interim head coach in a 9-0 victory at Tampa Bay final December, when Sean Payton stayed residence due to a optimistic COVID-19 take a look at. Allen stays the defensive play caller for the Saints.
Are the Saints within the heads of Brady and the Buccaneers?
“Anytime you lose to a crew greater than a few times, you attempt to put a finger on what they’re making an attempt to do and what you’re doing and what you are able to do in a different way,” first-year Bucs head coach Todd Bowles mentioned.
One ingredient of the Saints that’s higher is their receiving corps, with the return of star Michael Thomas from damage. Jarvis Landry was acquired within the offseason through free company, and Chris Olave was drafted within the first spherical. The three mixed for 212 yards and two receiving TDs final week at Atlanta.
The Tampa Bay offensive line, which underwent numerous offseason change, appeared stable final week, with newcomers Robert Hainsey at heart and rookie Luke Goedeke at left guard. Each made their first NFL begins final week and helped the working sport decrease Brady’s publicity to the move rush.
As for the connection between Winston and White, who ended Winston’s 2021 season, the quarterback mentioned White reached out to him after the damage final 12 months and that there are not any onerous emotions.
“Me and him are nice,’’ Winston mentioned. “I can’t be mad at someone for taking part in soccer. He felt unhealthy for a second, however he’s a soccer participant. He’s an awesome soccer participant, so he saved going.”
Now Winston will get to maintain going once more.
“I’m simply grateful I’ve this chance now,” Winston mentioned. “I’m right here now, wholesome, and I’m able to rock. That’s it.”
