Not bad, not that good, but OK at RayJay

Posted Sep 12, 2010 by Tom McEwen

Updated Sep 12, 2010 at 08:50 PM

Before Sunday’s scorcher at Raymond James Stadium the concern was the Buccaneers seemed not to have an established star in the lineup on whom to concentrate, that is for those of us who report on their deeds and those of us who hang on their deeds. The overall story line in advance was that this was the opening day of the 2010 season and few had conclusions on possible stars of these Bucs.  It truly was something of a mystery.

Well, opening day has passed and for Buccaneers fans the good news is their team is 1-0 but still pretty much of a mystery. But that quarterback candidate, Josh Freeman, now has that win behind him, the experience of it and the manner of it that began when veteran defensive star Ronde Barber intercepted a pass that led to the 17-14 win over Cleveland.

Now that the first game is history the Buc record is now 1-0 and not 0-1 and quarterback Freeman was good enough to produce the win, with mighty help from Barber, Buc linebacker Barrett Ruud and fullback Earnest Graham, wide receivers Micheal Spurlock and Mike Williams, all involved in late heroics for the winning touchdown and that 17-14 victory. Notably, quarterback Freeman’s sore thumb was not further injured in this game and that is important. A year ago the Buccaneers at this stage were 0-1, far, far worse than the joy of a 1-0 standard now gives the Bucs and their great fans who braved the impossible heat at RJS, plus a late game downpour that soaked them and made the day all the more intolerable.

The three most important developments after this opener are the 1-0 record, the opening success of quarterback Freeman, and the confidence a win such as this gives to the team, their coaching staff and the people of this franchise city who so want success for these Buccaneers. It wasn’t just hot at RJS, it was hot, hot, hot, steaming, sweltering, and inviting of fainting. Be assured those players, those who made this franchise possible and have stuck with it through all of the pains in the past, are grateful. I know those of us who campaigned for this franchise in Tampa Bay all are.

The game was pretty much of a bore until those final moments. Highlights may have been the production of a U.S.Air Force, with its pregame flyover of jets from MacDill AFB, and the dropping of parachutists at midfield who delivered the game ball and struck a patriotic theme. The early stages of the game involved too many fumbles, dropped passes, interceptions, and questionable plays from the benches. Surely all of this will get better as Coach Raheem Morris and his operatives settle in their roles to give Tampa Bay the kind of team it deserves. We all know how young and inexperienced quarterback Josh Freeman is, how many newcomers are on the field and were pleased with the work in crises of the veteran players such as Barber, Graham, Ruud and his defensive teammates who truly were the stars of this game. As it has been in so many games of the past, Buccaneer defense won this one, as it did for so long under the coaching of Monte Kiffi     n, Jon Gruden and Tony Dungy. Tampa fans are long accustomed to Buccaneer defensive heroics. The Tampa performance against Cleveland was primarily on defense, with some special performances by individuals, as in the case of Barber.

In truth, Buccaneer fans left RJS Sunday a bit more confident on behalf of their club because of this victory over Cleveland —a little bit. The Bucs still have a long way to go, as do Coach Morris, his staff, Barber, Graham, Ruud and those in uniform. Cleveland surely left RJS with the belief that they could have, should have won. Buccaneer fans left with a feeling of their relief, their 1-0 start as opposed to their 0-1 standing a year ago at this time and the confidence victory can help instill in the new quarterback, Josh Freeman and those around him. Buccaneer fans surely are shaking their heads in some concern and wonder how good this team can be, or how bad. No final verdict is yet in from we the jury.