Bucs coach Jon Gruden called it a classic National Football League game - to which I add, it ended about the way it should have, Tampa the winner by 30-21. Indeed, it might have been better had it ended 23-21, the final score a bullish one-yard Earnest Graham bust for the final touchdown with 1:56 minutes left. 23-21 would tell the world, or those who care, that the Bucs were just barely better than Green Bay, but better.

And, the Bucs in this one had the crowd, the home field, a tad more of the breaks, in Brian Griese a better quarterback but who is not All-NFL, and the wonderful advantage of the weather, just as Green Bay used to have when it was a home-and-home deal and the Buckos would still have to go to the frozen tundra for a return game. No more. There’ll be no more regular-season Packers for a while (three years, probably), no more snow games. Yet, the temperature was, officially, only 81 at kickoff, but the humidity, well, that’s different.

Was the heat a factor? Green Bay will say it was. The Bucs can ask, Who cares? Green Bay favored the Buc franchise idea 100 per cent. The Pack family wanted to come to Tampa, and now they have again.

Now, I’m not sure the game Sunday was a classic. But what it was, was hard-nosed football, and the only results that will matter down the line today and tomorrow and forever, for Bucdom, are that it was a W and the Bucs got more smash-mouth experience against some champs at smash-mouthing, and at coming from behind to win, twice, and at giving quarterback Brian Griese time to work (he was not sacked) and receivers time to free up a tad.

It gave these Bucs some confidence, a continued lead in their decision, and big-time game experience. Coach Gruden also pointed out the workmanlike game of ups and downs, and back and forths, and of thrills enough to give “our loyal fans something to cheer about.” They had that, and they did that. They also grumbled and squirmed when the Bucs blew a 20-7 lead, then a 20-14 lead before the 30-21 final tally.

It is clear these Buccaneers are a work in progress. But, there is progress and the record is 3-1, “the wins over the Chicago Bears up there and then the Packers here,” said Gruden proudly. Don’t forget, he said, to give the defense out there some credit, especially Derrick Brooks. It could now be declared Derrick Brooks Day Sunday, in celebration and a reminder of the Brooks work in the Green Bay game.

Gruden said they might want to erect a statue, “or a whole line of them out here for him,” the linebacker out of Florida State. Brooks was a menace. He played against the Pack despite wounds. Green Bay better hope he doesn’t get them again before he waits for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Once Sunday Brooks slammed into running back Ryan Grant so effectively his helmet forced the ball to be freed so Brooks’ teammate Jermaine Phillips could pick the ball off the Raymond James perfect turf and take it 38 yards unmolested to the north end zone to advance the Buc lead temporarily to 20-7.

This Packer game was one of two totally different halves. The Bucs led 13-7 after a dull first two periods, with two Matt Bryant field goals of 23 and 36 yards and a Griese pass of 8 yards to tight end Alex Smith the point-makers, followed by a Buc lead passed, then a Tampa resurgence winning it with another Bryant field goal and an Ernest Graham 24 yard run to the 2 and his TD run.

Graham had a fine day, and teamed with Warrick Dunn to gain nearly 200 yards. They were the workhorses carrying the football. Each would run, make or lose a yard or two, then bust it (Graham) or dance (Dunn) for more. They did that all afternoon, but best in the second half, as the Pack may have wearied, and the Bucs been revved. Gruden liked their work, and so did the crowd Gruden lauded. The spirit of the crowd may well have lifted Matt Bryant to kick three field goals, the last of special pressure for Green Bay had a 21-20 lead with only 2:26 left. He had to kick it and he did. He had a three field goal afternoon, and hit on two extra points.

He kicked Sunday though his infant son died this week. Coach Gruden gave him an option - your choice, do or don’t. After the game Gruden said it may have been the right medicine, to play and to win and to do what he does and will do.

So, the mighty Bucs, as the late Coach John McKay liked to call them, are 3-1 and not many teams are. And, Bucs are in the hunt still. Not all would have suggested this might be so. But, by golly it is, and Brian Griese, and Dunn, Graham, the ageless Brooks, the gallant Bryant, and all of those who have played this game for all of you out there, are a bit better than they were just no-time ago.

Are they contenders? All teams with less wins will say sure. Do they need to get better? Of course, and they will, without crippling injuries. Need to improve where, specifically? Depth up front on both sides and in the secondary. The Pack completed too many long passes. Work is on the pass rush. Griese? He’s your man.

There is trouble just ahead. The Bucs are off now for Denver, then home for Carolina and Seattle, on NBC. Tough, but these are the Bucolas.