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Bucs win 'beginning of something good'

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: November 9, 2009

TAMPA - For one Sunday this season, the cynicism turned into euphoria for Bucs fans.

It's guarded optimism. No one is saying they are unbeatable, no one is talking playoffs and no one is betting on a winning season.

But they are talking about rookie quarterback Josh Freeman and his three touchdowns in his NFL start. And they are talking about seeing hope for the team's future.

Ray Mergel has been a season-ticket holder for 10 years. He considered giving them up with this year's 0-7 start.

Sunday's 38-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers changed his mind.

"I saw progress," said Mergel of Port Richey. "I saw a rookie quarterback throw for three touchdowns. From what I saw today he's going to be a good quarterback.

"For a rookie, he looks poised and sharp in the pocket," said Mergel, 44. "Josh Freeman is going to win us football games."

Dressed in orange wigs and tops, Marie Lorino, one half of the Throwback Twins with the Orange Wigs, said she never soured on the Bucs during the losing years and this year is no different.

But the win has given her and the Bucs nation a reason to look forward to Sundays again.

"I think it's the beginning of something good," said Lorino of Tampa. "It will definitely motivate them and give them some momentum."

Like most fans, she was impressed by rookie quarterback Freeman, the Bucs' No. 1 draft pick.

"I think he's trying to prove himself, and he is doing a good job," Lorino said. "He has some work to do, but he is well on his way. He played with heart and we won it because he wanted it."

For Shawn and Julie McCray of Bradenton, the victory was a reminder of the formula the Bucs used to win in the late 1990s - eventually to win Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.

"The defense set the tone on the two picks," said Shawn McCray.

"It's one game, but they didn't quit. They haven't quit all season."

Clint and Lisa Milmine, came from Albuquerque, N.M. Clint Milmine, 34, has been a fan since his childhood in Montana.

He follows the Bucs regularly and decided to attend his first game Sunday because he hates the Green Bay Packers and hoped the weather would be nice.

He scored, big time.

"It's great to see improvement. It's a positive going into next season," Milmine said.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

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