Win brightens future for Bucs with Freeman
TAMPA (AP) – No longer winless, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are feeling pretty good about themselves.
Music blared in the locker room Monday, a day after rookie Josh Freeman led the team to its first victory, a 38-28 upset of Green Bay that heightened expectations for the remainder of the season.
Freeman, the third quarterback selected in this year’s draft, was far from perfect in his first NFL start.
Nevertheless, the 6-foot-6, 248-pound first-round pick did enough well to not only to beat the Packers, but raise questions about why the Bucs waited until they were 0-7 before giving him a chance.
First-year coach Raheem Morris said it was simple: The Bucs are determined to not rush the 21-year-old’s development.
“We still have to be patient. We still have to let him grow,” said Morris, who has known Freeman since the quarterback was a freshman at Kansas State and Morris was the defensive coordinator there.
“He made some mistakes he can go back and look at … that will allow him to get better and better. It was a nice start, very similar to the one I saw him do in college. Coming back, leading your team down with a two-minute drive, scoring a touchdown,” to win.
Freeman threw two of his three touchdown passes after the Bucs fell behind 28-17 early in the fourth quarter. He took advantage of a long kickoff return to cut into the deficit, then led an eight-play, 72-yard march to put Tampa Bay ahead with under five minutes to go.
Freeman finished 14-of-31 passing for 205 yards. He was sacked once and threw a first-half interception that Green Bay was unable to turn into points.
“He was fine – like he’s been doing it for 20 years,” tight end Kellen Winslow, whose leaping catch in the back of the end zone pulled Tampa Bay within 28-23. “Six or seven weeks ago he was nervous and messing up on plays – just not ready. He’s really made strides. We’re proud of him.”
Freeman became the youngest player to start a game at quarterback for the Bucs, who had dropped 11 straight dating to an 0-4 December that cost them a playoff berth after a 9-3 start last season.
The atmosphere at the club’s training facility was much more relaxed Monday. Players wandered in and out of the locker room, cracking jokes and talking about making the most of the rest of the season.