This team has multiple personalities and I never know what to expect from one play to the next much less one game to the next. This is a team that was stuffed on 4th down and for all intense purposes the game looked over, because the Bucs looked like a defeated team. But the Bucs didn’t fold, they kept handing the ball off to Cadillac Williams, had a huge punt return to tie the game and won it in overtime on a Connor Barth field goal.

The first half was exactly what I expected, which was a Saints team that was playing with purpose and trying to wrap up home field advantage for the NFC Playoffs. The Bucs looked, well, like the Bucs I expected, which was a team that can’t stop anybody, Freeman threw another interception and let the Saints take 17 to 3 lead into the half.

Raheem Morris must have explained during halftime that nobody’s jobs were guaranteed, because the Bucs were an entirely different team the second half. Cadillac Williams had a solid game, but he was running fools over and he looked vintage with 129 yards and a TD. The defense played with intensity and didn’t allow a point for the rest of game. Although Freeman threw another interception and didn’t have a touchdown, he did have a play that showed why he has some potential to be a franchise QB. The Saints came with a blitz and actually hit Freeman, but they couldn’t bring the 6′ 6″ kid down. Freeman didn’t panic and throw the a bad pass, he just spun away and used he athleticism to get a yard on the play.  It wasn’t a top ten play, but the fact they couldn’t sack him and he didn’t turn the ball over is a positive step in the right direction.

Then the replacements stepped in finished off the Saints. Newly acquired journeyman, Michael Spurlock, took a 4th quarter punt back 77 yards to tie up the game.

To the Saints credit they came back drove the field, but missed a 37 yard field to win the fame in regulation. Bucs won the OT toss and Connor Barth sealed it with a 47 yard field in OT.

The good news is the Bucs won by beating a very good Saints team. I would guess Raheem Morris saved his job and will be back next year. Cadillac Williams looked great. Freeman made some decent decisions. The Bucs special teams finally broke one off.

Team/Player Photos: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team / Player Photos on Jul 24, 2010

The bad news is the Bucs are killing the 2010 draft. They are now tied with the Kansas City Chiefs with the 3rd worst record in the NFL, which means Suh and McCoy are slipping away from the Bucs. Safety Eric Berry is an awesome player, but if the Bucs can’t stop the run or get a pass rush it doesn’t matter who in the secondary, because the opposing QB will have all day to throw.

Next week Falcons at home.