National Football League

Buccaneers humbled in blowout loss to Patriots

Published Aug. 19, 2011 11:44 p.m. ET

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been on both ends of preseason routs, but don't expect them to take any positives out of a blowout loss to the New England Patriots.

''Usually it's easier to teach 'em after a big loss because you can whup them and do whatever you want to do to them and everyone is accepting of it,'' coach Raheem Morris said Friday, one day after his team was dominated by New England in a 31-14 thumping. ''But for us, whether it's been a big win or a big loss ... it's been the same general approach every time I talk to the team. I don't think it really applies to our football team.''

After a 25-0 rout in Kansas City in their preseason opener, the Bucs were humbled by the Patriots, who took a 28-0 lead on their first five possessions.

''We got outplayed physically up front,'' Morris said, ''and then really, it was a different approach to the game in how we played and they played.''

Morris wanted to evaluate his young players ''without any scheme or anything of that nature,'' and the early pace set by the Patriots was a big problem for the Bucs.

''We felt like we didn't come out with the same intensity as last week, the same intensity that they had,'' quarterback Josh Freeman said. ''They came out and they took it serious ... you can see that with the intensity they had on the field. It is something for us to take and learn from.''

Rookie linebacker Mason Foster might have learned a lesson from an unnecessary roughness call that kick-started the Patriots' second touchdown drive. Foster separated Chad Ochocinco from the football with a perfectly timed hit, but was penalized either for ''launching'' himself at the receiver or for hitting him in a defenseless position.

''There's going to be questionable (calls) like that all year,'' Morris said. ''The human element is definitely going to be a factor, but the way they explained it to me and all the other teams, they're going to err on the side of caution. I don't have a problem with it.''

Morris credited center Jeff Faine and offensive tackle Donald Penn for making adjustments to New England's blitz, and noted that defensive back Elbert Mack ''had a big game'' that included a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown. Corey Lynch, Larry Asante and Dekoda Watson were also singled out for defensive plays.

But Morris said many of the Bucs regulars were outplayed by their individual opponents, and he made a point of telling them that.

''They'll take it personally, and they'll come out and win those one-on-one battles,'' he said. ''Who can stand up and win one-on-one versus (Devin) McCourty, a Pro Bowl corner? Who can stand up and win one-on-one versus this elite secondary with the blitz and the pressure coming after Josh? Let's find those things out.''