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Bucs' Morris keeps first career win in perspective

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2009

TAMPA - Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said his postgame ritual did not change despite picking up his first win as an NFL coach on Sunday.

He received congratulatory calls and text messages from numerous people, including former Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks. Morris said the only call he answered was from former Tampa Bay standout Warren Sapp, and that was to keep from getting yelled at.

Outside of that, Morris said, all was calm after Tampa Bay's 38-28 victory against Green Bay.

"There just wasn't a knot in my stomach," said Morris, who lost his first seven games as head coach before getting into the win column Sunday. "I do the same thing. I go home to see the family and I chill out and watch other people be miserable. For me, it's the same deal. It's nothing new. I didn't go out and throw a party and tear up Tampa."

Instead, Morris spent most of Monday's news conference putting Tampa Bay's first victory in perspective.

Morris was happy about the play of rookie quarterback Josh Freeman, who made his first start and competed 14 of 31 passes for 205 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also was pleased with Tampa Bay's defense, which had six sacks and three interceptions.

However, the coach was displeased with his defense's habit of giving up long touchdown plays and said there is no challenge keeping his team level-headed this week.

"We are 1-7," Morris said. "We're not competing to play in the NFC Championship game, yet. Maybe these guys got to come in here this week and they got to grow like they did the week before. Hard work paid off."

Morris said Freeman's composure against Green Bay was not surprising, adding he showed the same qualities at Kansas State.

"All in all, the kid went out there and was composed, he handled the offense," Morris said. "He knew everything about the offense. He let (center) Jeff Faine take care of the protections. Anything he needed to correct, he corrected.

"He was able to point out the (middle linebackers). He was able to talk to his guys, communicate with his backs. That was a big-time situation, in a big-time environment with a lot of emotions and he was the same even-keel, steady person I've seen him become in college and what I thought he could be."

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