Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (hamstring) returns to practice

“I don’t like failure”, Winston said, according to Buccaneers.com. Ronde Barber tied a team record by picking off three passes, returning one of them for a touchdown. He also landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Both teams lost their season openers.

Whatever the Saints plan to do, they expect it to be done against a player who will be different from last week. But like the Bucs, their biggest disappointment might have been the defense, particularly their secondary. He caught 12 of his 21 red-zone targets last season, including nine for scores. “But I would say this: past year , we weren’t. You have to keep that in perspective”.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season opener loss to the Tennessee Titans was ugly, but that’s all in the rearview mirror. “The biggest thing is keeping the line of communication with me, the training staff, and (coaches), letting them know how I feel”.

Winston finished 16 of 33 for 210 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“Just the early turnover”, Winston said. You always say that, win or lose from the week before.

As you are well aware, NFL football is back; and what would NFL football be, without a little “smack talk”.

This was just a plain bad game overall. He will now have time to survey the field and make those better decisions that all his critics have been calling for. Many believe he should have given Brees a chance to win the game.

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Akiem Hicks Malcolm Jenkins (76) knocks off the helmet of Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Nate Byham (89) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. It’s no laughing matter but it happened fast. I’m skeptical but we’ll see. “So as a young man, as the quarterback of this program, I’ve got to grow up and try not to live this experience again”. Many presumed (I am in that number) that Tampa’s defense would be even better this year. Their linebackers were too easily sucked up by play-action and they rarely were in position to contest passes. “It really has to be within these walls and our team right now”.

SERIES HISTORY: 47th regular-season meeting.

The Saints – now with Dick Nolan at the helm – got a bit of revenge the next two years in Tampa, winning 17-10 in 1978 and 42-14 in 1979. New Saints RB C.J. Spiller returned to practice this week, setting stage for possible return. Lewis also remained out with a hip injury that occurred in New Orleans’ third preseason game. He did not practice Wednesday.

Heisman Trophy victor Jameis Winston isn’t anxious about his ability to be heard over noisy fans when the Bucs meet the Saints at the Superdome. Evans, at 6-5, creates matchup problems for most starting cornerbacks. Martin’s success in the backfield will eventually help create a more balanced attack.

New Orleans is still as talented as any team in the division, though, and last week’s season-opening loss on the road to the Arizona Cardinals is nothing of which to be ashamed.