PRO FOOTBALL : Buccaneers Smother the Saints : Robinson’s Key Interception Lifts Tampa Bay to 20-10 Victory

TAMPA, Fla. —  Mark Robinson was tough on New Orleans quarterbacks Sunday. First, he gave Bobby Hebert a concussion, then he ended backup John Fourcade’s afternoon.

The Tampa Bay safety didn’t apologize for either act after the Buccaneers defeated the Saints, 20-10.

A late hit sidelined Hebert for nearly two quarters, but Robinson said it was unintentional. He intercepted Fourcade’s pass to set up the Buccaneers’ go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.

“Hebert scrambled out of the pocket and was trying to run for a touchdown,” said Robinson, who was penalized for hitting Hebert in the head after a nine-yard, first-quarter run to the Buccaneers’ two-yard line.

Dalton Hilliard scored on the next play.

“Normally, you’d see a typical quarterback try for a hook slide and go down. He didn’t,” Robinson said. “My helmet went over him, and it was actually my knee that hit him in the back of the head.

“I was going full speed. If he’d go into a slide, I’d pull up. If he stays up, I’ll go full speed. I didn’t mean to hurt the guy, but it’s a tough game.”

Hebert said the hit caused the eighth concussion of his career. “I was scrambling and got hit pretty good. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

“I had a headache and was dizzy, but I wasn’t incoherent,” he added. “Playing quarterback is second nature. After a while, you can do it in your sleep. I thought I could do it.”

Vinny Testaverde passed for 227 yards and one touchdown and Mark Carrier had five receptions for 120 yards as Tampa Bay (2-1) bounced back from a last-minute loss to San Francisco and ended a six-game losing streak against New Orleans.

The Saints, who blew a 21-0 lead against Green Bay last week, fell to 1-2. They hadn’t lost to the Buccaneers since 1982.

“Our team played hard, but not good enough to win,” New Orleans Coach Jim Mora said. “I’m not disappointed by the team. I’m disappointed by the record.”

Testaverde tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ron Hall in the second period and Lars Tate scored on a five-yard run that broke a 10-10 tie in the third quarter.

Donald Igwebuike also kicked field goals of 34 and 37 yards for the Bucs, who have a winning record after three games for only the second time since 1980.

By the time Hebert returned in the third quarter, Fourcade had injured an ankle and was limping badly when Robinson picked off a tipped pass intended for Eric Martin and returned it 16 yards. Tate scored six plays later.

“We were hoping Bobby could stay in the game,” Mora said. “We were going to go with whoever felt most healthy.”

Hebert finished with 15 completions in 23 attempts for 169 yards and one interception. Fourcade was four of 11 for 61 yards with one interception.