Interceptions set early tone for defense Anwar Richardson, The Tampa Tribune, published 1 November 2010 It only took Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib one series Sunday before he made a prediction to teammate Ronde Barber. Arizona had the ball for six plays before punting. Cardinals quarterback Max Hall attempted three passes during that series, which gave Talib all the confidence he needed. "I just said we're going to get him (Hall) three times and I'm going to get two of them, Ronde," said Talib, who broke a month-long silence to the media after Sunday's game. "Really just joking, but it happened. I can't complain." Talib was partially correct, because he did have two interceptions in Tampa Bay's 38-35 victory, but those picks were split between Hall and Derek Anderson, who played after the Cardinals benched their starting quarterback. Additionally, Bucs linebackers Barrett Ruud and Geno Hayes grabbed interceptions as ball-hogging Tampa Bay finished with four picks. "It was the plan a little bit today," Raheem Morris said. "We looked at tape … (Hall) was pretty sharp with his reads, but we figured if we could get some zone coverages when they throw the ball, we'll have an opportunity to go and make a play on the ball. "We're a great opportunistic team as far as (defensive backs) and (linebackers) going to hunt balls. We felt if we had the opportunity to go compete for these balls in the air, we could win some of those battles." Hayes got Tampa Bay on the scoreboard when he dropped into coverage and grabbed a short pass intended for Larry Fitzgerald. Hayes returned the interception 41 yards for a touchdown, making it 7-7. "That was a big play," said Hayes, who missed practice with a knee injury last week and was not cleared to play until Saturday. "I think one of the guys batted it up in front and knocked it in the air and I was in the right zone at the right time and it fell right into my hands. I was focused in on cashing in on my opportunity to make that play. "Once you get the ball in your hands, either you're going to fall or you're going to score. and around here we're about scoring." Talib echoed Tampa Bay's mantra in the second quarter with the game tied at 14. Hall attempted a short pass to Steve Breaston, but Talib jumped the route and grabbed his first of two interceptions. Talib took the ball 45 yards to the end zone, giving the Bucs a 21-14 advantage. "I jumped the out and scored a touchdown on it," Talib said. Hall was eventually benched, but Anderson did not fair any better. Tampa Bay was clinging to a 38-35 lead in the fourth quarter when Hall attempted a pass to running back LaRod Stephens-Howling, who was immediately leveled by Hayes. The ball popped up and Ruud dove and grabbed Tampa Bay's third interception. On Arizona's ensuing possession, the Cardinals faced first-and-10 on Tampa Bay's 20-yard line with 2:15 remaining when Talib intercepted a pass intended for Fitzgerald, ending Arizona's scoring threat. "His play in the fourth quarter is about as clutch a play as I've seen around here in a long, long time," Barber said. "It's a credit to him. It's a credit to our defense stepping up when they needed to. It's great to be a part of it."