Wearing a ghastly creamsicle jersey which serves as an ugly memory of the past of Tampa Bay, Josh Freeman, rookie quarterback, gave a struggling Buccaneers team lots of reasons for being more optimistic about their future.
Freeman, the third quarterback picked during the NFL draft this year, led the previously winless Tampa Bay team to their 38-28 win over Green Bay in the first start of his career on Sunday. The win ended Tampa Bay’s current league leading losing streak of 11 games.
Despite being inexperienced, Freeman played with a lot of poise, passing for a total of 205 yards along with three touchdowns. He connected with Sammie Stroughter on a 7 yard touchdown pass on fourth down and four yards to score the touchdown to give Tampa Bay the lead with less than five minutes left to play in the game.
Freeman, the 17th overall pick of this year’s draft and third quarterback chosen behind Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford said, I really felt relaxed.
The twenty one year old rookie said, I did not get too high and didn’t get too low. I really didn’t do anything that spectacular. All I did was play within myself. When we had an opportunity I took it.
Freeman is the youngest quarterback starting a game for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have had ten different starting quarterbacks in the seven seasons since they won the Super Bowl. He is the third different quarterback to start this season.
Raheem Morris, 33 year old rookie head coach said, that is a great way to start working how we would like to work and playing how we would like to play. Morris and Freeman have known each other since Morris was the defensive coordinator at Kansas State when Freeman was a freshman there.
Morris added, it is impressive no matter how you do it. At this point his age doesn’t really matter. He has to lead the team where we need to go.
Freeman went 14 for 31 passing and had an interception. A second interception by A.J. Hawk, which would have been critical, was over ruled by a penalty for illegal contact against Hawk on the drive that put Tampa Bay ahead.
Freeman threw a pass of 29 yards three plays later to Michael Clayton, setting up the second touchdown pass for him of the game.
Nick Barnett, Packers linebacker said, he was able to keep his composure and he made plays.
Tampa Bay (1-7) is the last NFL team to get a win this season. They ended a losing streak that was their longest since the years 1976-77. They set an NFL record when they lost 26 games in a row while wearing the same creamsicle uniforms that the team wore in the game versus the Packers.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers passed for a total of 266 yards along with throwing two touchdowns for the Packers (4-4). The number one rated passer in the league had three interceptions as well. One of them was returned for a touchdown during the final minute, putting the game completely out of reach.
Rodgers got sacked a total of six times, which raised the Packers total in eight games to 37, the worst in the NFL.
Rodgers said it is very frustrating. I think our special teams and offense make it tough for our defense.
Besides donning their retro uniforms, Tampa also named Lee Roy Selmon, Hall of Famer, as their first inductee of their Ring of Honor located in Raymond James Stadium. At halftime, Tampa Bay trailed 21-17, but Freeman would not let his team lose.
The rookie quarterback threw touchdown passes in the second half to Kellen Winslow as well as a wide open Stroughter, seventh round pick, in the end zone’s right hand corner with only 4:14 minutes left in the game.
A two point pass conversion play from Freeman to Clayton gave Tampa Bay the lead 31-28. The Buccaneers defense, which recorded all of their sacks in the second half, sealed the victory on Tanard Jackson’s interception of Rogers, who with less than a minute left to play weaved his way 35 yards down field to score the clinching touchdown instead of falling to the ground.
On the Packer’s second play from the line of scrimmage, Rodgers threw a touchdown pass of 74 yards to James Jones. He then led Green Bay on a 69 yard, 11 play march that was capped by Ryan Grant’s 3 yard run, making the score 14-7 late first quarter.
Elbert Mack, cornerback, who was badly beaten on the long touchdown by Jones, returned an interception 36 yards down to Green Bay’s 8 yard line to set up the first pro touchdown pass for Freeman, a 6 yard pass to Derrick Ward.
With Green Bay behind 14-7, Geno Hayes of Tampa Bay blocked the punt. Ronde Barber picked up the ball and ran it back 31 yards to record the 14th touchdown of his career. Just before halftime, Freeman led Tampa Bay on a 74 yard drive. The Buccaneers got a field goal to trim the lead to 21-17.
It looked like Rodgers was going to maybe put away the game on a 12 yard scramble on third down and goal which gave the Packers a lead of 28-17.
However, the ensuing kickoff was returned by Clifton Smith 83 yards, setting up a 7 yard touchdown pass from Freeman to Winslow, sparking the comeback.
It was the second loss in a row for Green Bay, after falling to Minnesota and Brett Favre last week.
Mike McCarthy, Packers coach said, it does not feel very good. This one really hurts. I am disappointed in how we played. There are some problems recurring that we have to be clean up.
