TAMPA, Fla. -- Observed and heard in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' locker room after their 23-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday:
Coach Lovie Smith and multiple players took offense to suggestions the Bucs might have tanked to make sure they secured the No. 1 pick. But the Bucs did squander a 13-point lead during a fourth quarter in which they were playing a lot of backups, so that's going to lead to questions.
"I don't think anybody tanked it," quarterback Josh McCown said.
As he came off the field, wide receiver Vincent Jackson gave the No. 1 sign to fans. I don't think he was saying the Bucs were No. 1, since they finished their season 2-14. It's obvious Jackson was making reference to the draft, which could bring him a new quarterback.
Smith said he is eager to put 2014 behind him and pledged that it won't be long before the Bucs are winners.
He also said linebacker Danny Lansanah did not start because he violated an unspecified team rule.
