Defense braces for Saints' assault

Sep. 7--NEW ORLEANS

-- With the road date against a quick-strike opponent such as the New Orleans Saints -- a demanding way to open the NFL season -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaches and players took advantage of an extra two practice days last week to focus.

The Saints, faced with lining up against one of the best defenses in the league, immersed themselves in the bonus pregame preparation, too.

"We were kind of glued to the TV," New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees said. "Everyone was trying to figure out if their house was OK [and] make sure there wasn't any wind damage or water damage or trees falling down or anything like that."

With Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Louisiana coast, the Saints packed up and left town last weekend, moving operations to Indianapolis.

When they weren't in meetings or practicing in the vacated RCA Dome, they were scrambling for updates from a city three years removed -- and still recovering -- from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The Saints returned Friday, a day after officials announced that evacuees could return and businesses could reopen. Much of the state's western coastal region remains without power, but the Crescent City, with the exception of some minor damage and inconvenience, was spared.

Just in time for football.

Where a week ago there were thoughts this opener might be moved -- to Tampa or San Antonio, perhaps -- a sold-out Superdome will be packed today with fleur-de-lis and feather-boa-ed fans with a lot to cheer about.

"There's a unique tie with our team, our region and our city," said Coach Sean Payton, whose team retooled on both sides of the ball and loom as a serious conference contender. "The atmosphere will be fantastic."

The game pits the two latest champions of the NFC South. Tampa Bay finished 9-7 last season, 5-1 in the division and with a season sweep in the New Orleans series, highlighted by a come-from-behind victory in the final seconds here.

The Saints went 7-9 and missed the playoffs in 2007 but are expected this season to resemble more closely the '06 version that went 10-6 and played in the first NFC title game in franchise history.