The Bucs game had it all and then some. Not only did the Bucs stop their losing streak and get their first win of the season, but the they did it in one of the most exciting games I’ve seen in a long time. I hate to say it, but the Bucs need to keep wearing the orange, white and Bucco Bruce if they are going to play like that or they need to play the Packers every week.

Rookie QB, Josh Freeman, was solid and gets B + for his debut game. The game plan was clearly to keep it simple in the beginning, but the play calling was tight later in the game and at times where it was clearly a run down they let the kid throw the ball. The defining moment was 4th and 4 with the Bucs trailing by 4 points in the 4th quarter and Freeman was patient and finally found fellow rookie Sammie Stroughter in the end zone. Freeman then calmly rallied the troops and converted the 2 points conversion. He completed 14 out 31, but he threw 3 TD’s and only 1 INT, but what the stat line doesn’t show is he did it in the clutch. To say the least I was impressed. He did make one bad play in the 4th and threw an INT, but it was called back on pass interference. I’m not ready to say Freeman is the Bucs savior, but we finally had some good QB play and it made a difference.

The Bucs defense was impressive too. Yes, they allowed 28 points, but they also sacked Rodgers 6 times. The pass rush helped the secondary too, because Rodgers tossed 3 INT’s. The final INT was to Tanard Jackson and he took it back 35 yards for a TD.

The special teams were actually special. The Bucs had a huge blocked punt, which the ageless one, Ronde Barber, scooped up for a TD. Clifton Smith had 2 tremendous returns; a kick and punt in the 4th, which gave the Bucs great field position. Connor Barth did miss a field goal, but I have to give him a mulligan, because the wind is whipping here in Tampa today.

The guys calling the game had the best comment I’ve heard all season. I can’t quote it exactly, but it was something like… I’m not sure if the the wind effected that throw, I can’t tell how windy it is down on the field…. The next thing you saw on the field was some empty paper cup fly by on the field, it covered 10 yards in about 2 seconds.

It was a great game to watch and fans were loud and having a good time, there was definitely a buzz in the air. It will be interesting to see what happens next week vs the Fish. Oh yeah and the Detriot Lions can take a big sigh of relief, because the Bucs won’t be going winless in 2009.