Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tampa Bay Buccaneers on TBO.com – Tampa Bay Online

TBO > Sports > Bucs

Bucs show respect for past, hope for future

Staff photo by JOSEPH BROWN III

Lee Roy Selmon speaks to the fans during halftime ceremonies honoring him and the '79 Bucs.

By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2009

Related Links

What do you take away from the Bucs' loss in Atlanta?

TAMPA - It was supposed to be a day devoted to nostalgia.

Instead, it wound up being a celebration of perhaps better days ahead.

No one is kidding themselves about the 38-28 victory Sunday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the Green Bay Packers. It doesn't mean the corner is turned, nor does it mean that Josh Freeman – the rookie quarterback who was so strong in his first NFL start – can bypass the learning curve that goes with all young players at his position.

But, my goodness, the kid was awfully poised. He made plays.

He led a 72-yard, eight-play scoring drive in the fourth quarter that brought the Bucs from behind. When the Bucs decided to go for it on fourth down, he threw a beauty of a 7-yard touchdown pass to Sammy Stroughter that gave them the lead.

He bought time all day by moving around in the pocket, scrambling when he needed to, and he was always looking downfield. In that sense, he was just as advertised. He was said to be a bit of a gunslinger and he showed no fear on that last drive.

It was all anyone could ask on a day when the Bucs improved to 1-7 and now – deep exhale – don't have to listen to comparisons to the 2008 Detroit Lions anymore. Raheem Morris got his first win as an NFL coach.

It was pretty cool seeing Ray-Jay decked out in orange Sunday. People really did dig deep into their closets for those faux chic Buccaneer uniforms of old for the first 'Throwback' game in team history.

The ceremony at halftime honoring the 1979 division champion Bucs was dignified and long overdue, and if you didn't get at least a little choked up watching the eternally classy Lee Roy Selmon become the first Buc in the new Ring of Honor then I'd gently suggest you're overdosing on cynicism.

For the first time this season, there was actually a buzz in the stadium.

Yes, this is a bottom-line league, but the Bucs actually showed some life on this day. It was an entertaining afternoon by a team that fought its backside off.

A lot of the same ol' problems that have been there all season were still there, but they overcame them this time. They gave up a 74-yard touchdown pass on Green Bay's second play of the game, but they managed to turn in some big plays themselves.

A 36-yard return of an interception by Elbert Mack set up a touchdown, and Ronde Barber got the 14th TD of his career by running 31 yards with the ball after Geno Hayes blocked a punt. Tanard Jackson scored on a 35-yard interception return to put the game away in the final minute.

I'm burying the lead, though.

This was Freeman's day.

I'm sure he'll find a million things off the tape to correct in practice, but we did see some of those intangibles the Bucs have been telling us he has since taking Freeman with their top draft choice last spring.

He threw three touchdowns, including a dandy 7-yarder to Kellen Winslow with 11:34 left in the game that pulled the Bucs within five points. He bought time, danced around, rolled to his left, and then took off running toward the end zone. When the Packers defenders came to him, he lofted a delicate little toss to Winslow at the back of the end zone.

Then he led that last drive, and rookies just aren't supposed to do that in what essentially is their NFL debut (he did get in a couple of series in the Bucs last game against New England).

Good stuff.

Yeah, despite the orange in the stadium and the celebration for Lee Roy Selmon and all the rest, the day belonged to the new kid and thoughts of the future. For the first time this year, there's really something to smile about.

Share this:

* To:
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Personal Message [optional]: