Stylez G. White vs. Saints LT Jermon Bushrod Until they ran into the Cowboys last week, the Saints were doing an exceptional job of protecting quarterback Drew Brees. They'd allowed Brees to be sacked only 15 times to that point, but Brees went down in the Cowboys' clutches four times in a difficult loss at the Superdome. The Bucs don't have a DeMarcus Ware in their midst, but Stylez G. White continues to play well, particularly as a pass rusher, and he has a matchup this week that could benefit him and the Bucs greatly. Jermon Bushrod is a good athlete with very good size and agility. The one thing he doesn't have is a lot of experience, and that's where White can gain something of an edge. White is not what anyone would call a seasoned veteran, but he has been around the game for quite awhile and he has learned how to take advantage of the skills he has and the weaknesses of his opponents. In addition to experience, Bushrod also lacks sound technique, so White has an opportunity to turn in a big day. And a big day from the likes of White is precisely what the Bucs need. Brees can pick apart any defense if he's allowed to stand clean in the pocket and step into his throws. Hurry him a bit, though, and his accuracy and effectiveness decline. If the Bucs can hurry Brees, their chances of winning increase because the Saints' chances of scoring decrease. Barrett Ruud vs. Saints TE David Thomas It really doesn't matter whether Jeremy Shockey plays in this game or not. The Saints have been leaning more and more on David Thomas as a pass catcher in recent weeks, and he's sure to be a big part of the offense again today. Thomas was targeted a team-leading 10 times and caught a team-best eight passes last week during a loss to the Cowboys, so the Bucs have to be aware of his potential to hurt them. That shouldn't be a problem. Thomas hurt the Bucs as much as anyone during the first meeting between these teams last month, catching four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, so the Bucs already know the damage he can cause. The job of containing Thomas will fall mostly to Barrett Ruud, and it's a good but not great matchup for the Bucs. Ruud does a good job of dropping deep in coverage, but he usually makes his plays on pass catchers after the catch. That's part of the bend-but-don't-break philosophy Bucs coach Raheem Morris is re-instilling in his defense, and it can work against a guy such as Thomas. But at some point somebody will have to make a play on the ball against him. Derrick Ward vs. Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma Before the season ends, the Bucs want to know what they've got in Derrick Ward. They really don't know just yet because Ward has been used so sparingly this year. That figures to change down the stretch and, with Ward likely to get more reps, his ability to make plays becomes more critical. It'll be up to the line to get Ward to the second level today. That's where Ward will run into Jonathan Vilma, and that's where he has to be on his game. Vilma has just about everything you want in a middle linebacker. He has great range, he's fearless and he knows the shortest route to the ball carrier. The only thing he lacks is great size and bulk, and that's what Ward can take advantage of to win this battle. Ward is fairly elusive but he's also strong enough to power his way through a tackle. Vilma will take him on and wrap him up, but if Ward can work his legs and turn some of his 3-yard gains into 6- and 7-yard gains, he can extend some drives and help the Bucs move the chains and push the scoreboard. The Tampa Tribune 27 December 2009