Loading ...When All Pro quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints' top-rated passing attack stroll into Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have tall task trying to slow him down.
The task little becomes even taller when you factor in New Orleans' big receivers and the height advantage they have over Tampa Bay's defensive backs.
The Saints' two leading pass catchers are matchup nightmares. The 6-foot-4 Marques Colston seems to always have big games against the Bucs, and is coming off a 3-touchdown performance just two weeks ago.
But the Bucs also have to worry about Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, who checks in at 6-foot-7. While Graham has been limiting with an ankle injury all week, the Bucs will have a hard time containing him if he suits up on Sunday.
Normally, the Bucs would have cornerback Aqib Talib, who is an athletic and rangy defender at 6-1, but his recent drug suspension means that they will be without him.
Cornerback Eric Wright, who is only 5-10, says that going against his teammates in practice is preparing him well for the Saints' tall receivers.
"We've got an elite quarterback coming to town,'' said Wright. "It's possible height advantage could come into play, but I'm not going to grow five inches by Sunday, so it's not something that you tend to worry about. I get great work on a daily basis guarding bigger receivers like Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. We just have to make sure we don't give the Saints open shots.''
Along with Wright, the Bucs will have to rely on E.J. Biggers (6-0), Brandon McDonald (5-10), and maybe even free safety Ronde Barber (5-9) at times to stop the Saints' explosive passing attack.
Tags: Aqib Talib, Drew brees, Eric Wright, Football, Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, NFL, Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay BuccaneersRelated Videos
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