Rookie QB leads Bucs to first win, 38-28 over GB

By FRED GOODALL, AP Sports Writer Nov 8, 9:17 pm EST

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Wearing one of those ghastly creamsicle jerseys that are an ugly reminder of Tampa Bay’s past, rookie Josh Freeman(notes) gave the struggling Buccaneers plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

The third quarterback selected in this year’s NFL draft led the previously winless Bucs to a 38-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers in his first start Sunday, ending the league’s longest losing streak at 11 games.

Playing with poise that belied his inexperience, Freeman passed for 205 yards and three touchdowns, including a 7-yard throw to Sammie Stroughter(notes) on fourth-and-4 for the go-ahead TD with under 5 minutes to play.

“I felt really relaxed,” said Freeman, the 17th pick in the draft and the third quarterback taken behind Matthew Stafford(notes) and Mark Sanchez(notes).

“I didn’t get too high or two low,” the 21-year-old said. “I can’t say I did anything spectacular. I just played within myself, and when we had opportunities I took them.”

Freeman became the youngest quarterback to open a game for the Bucs, who have had 10 different players start at the position since winning the Super Bowl seven seasons ago. He’s the third this year.

“That’s a great start to how we want to be, how we want to work, how we want to play,” said the 33-year-old Raheem Morris, who has known Freeman since the rookie was a freshman at Kansas State and Morris was the defensive coordinator there.

“However you do it, it’s impressive. His age really doesn’t matter at this point. … He’s got to lead us to where we’ve got to go.”

Freeman completed 14 of 31 passes with just one interception. A critical second pick by Green Bay’s A.J. Hawk(notes) was wiped out by an illegal contact penalty against Hawk during Tampa Bay’s go-ahead drive.

Three plays later, Freeman threw 29 yards to Michael Clayton(notes) to set up his second TD pass of the day.

“He kept his composure and made plays,” Packers linebacker Nick Barnett(notes) said.

The Bucs (1-7) are the last team in the NFL to win this season, ending a skid that was the franchise’s longest since 1976-77 when they dropped an NFL-record 26 in a row wearing the uniforms the team donned against the Packers.

Aaron Rodgers(notes) threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns for Green Bay (4-4). The league’s top-rated passer also threw three interceptions and had one returned for a TD that put the game out of reach in the final minute.

Rodgers was also sacked six times, hiking Green Bay’s NFL-worst total to 37 in eight games.

“It’s pretty frustrating,” Rodgers said. “I think our offense and special teams put our defense in a tough position.”

In addition to wearing retro uniforms, the Bucs made Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon the first inductee into the Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium. They trailed 21-17 during the halftime ceremony, but Freeman refused to let them lose.

The rookie threw second-half TD passes to Kellen Winslow(notes) and Stroughter, a seventh-round draft pick who was wide open in the right corner of the end zone with 4:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Freeman’s 2-point conversion pass to Clayton put the Bucs up 31-28. The defense, which had all of its sacks after halftime, ensured victory when Tanard Jackson(notes) picked off Rodgers and—instead of going to the ground with under a minute left—weaved 35 yards to a clinching TD.

Rodgers threw a 74-yard TD pass to James Jones(notes) on Green Bay’s second play from scrimmage, then led an 11-play, 69-yard march that Ryan Grant(notes) finished with a 3-yard run that made it 14-7 late in the opening quarter.

Cornerback Elbert Mack(notes), beaten badly on Jones’ long touchdown, returned one of Tampa Bay’s interceptions 36 yards to the Packers 8 to set up Freeman’s first pro TD pass, a 6-yarder to Derrick Ward(notes).

Trailing 14-7, Tampa Bay’s Geno Hayes(notes) blocked a punt that Ronde Barber(notes) scooped up and ran 31 yards for his 14th career touchdown. Freeman led a 74-yard field goal drive just before the half, trimming Tampa Bay’s deficit to 21-17.

Rodgers looked like he might have put the game away when he scrambled 12 yards on third-and-goal to give Green Bay a 28-17 lead.

But Clifton Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards to set up Freeman’s 7-yard TD pass to Winslow and spark the comeback.

The loss was the second straight for Green Bay, which fell to Brett Favre(notes) and the Minnesota Vikings the week before.

“It doesn’t feel good. This one definitely hurt,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “I’m disappointed in the way we played. We have some recurring problems that we have not cleaned up yet.”

Notes: Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber got his 13th career return touchdown on a blocked punt. Barber is tied for the third-most return touchdowns all time. He trails Deion Sanders (19) and Rod Woodson (17) for the most return touchdowns in NFL history. … Green Bay running back Ahman Green(notes) gained 45 yards rushing and has 8,208 yards rushing with the Packers, surpassing Hall of Famer Jim Taylor (8,207) for the most rushing yards in franchise history. … Bucs WR Antonio Bryant(notes) was inactive because of a sore left knee. … Jones finished with four receptions for 103 yards for Green Bay. Grant rushed for 96 yards on 21 attempts. … Packers RT Mark Tauscher(notes) (knee) played for the first time this season, but was not able to finish the game.

Updated Nov 8, 9:17 pm EST
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Head to Head - Week 9

Team Total Yds Pass Yds Rush Yds First Downs 3rdD% Pen./Yds Turnovers Time of Poss.
Green Bay 404 234 170 20 35.7% 5/35 3 35:17
Tampa Bay 279 198 81 17 25.0% 2/15 1 24:43
NFL

648 Comments

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  1. annoyed
    648. Posted by annoyed Wed Nov 11 9:02pm EST

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    I love the orange unis! Bucs need to go back to these permanently. The gold and black is just not NFL, more like Arena league. All teams need to go back to their best unis - the ones they had in 1976 when I first followed an entire season. Steelers - get rid of those ugly round numbers. Seahawks - go back to silver. Rams - blue and yellow NOW, the gold and navy is lame. Falcons, Eagles, Cardinals - go back to the old bird it looks better than that new pokeman style junk. Colts, Chiefs, Saints, Cowboys and Packers you rock because you didn't change to try to milk more money from merchandise.
  2. Rodney Danger
    647. Posted by Rodney Danger Wed Nov 11 11:16am EST

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    Alright, now I understand where you're coming from. And don't you worry, I'll be wearing the purple, gold, and white no matter how the season turns out. Good or bad, I'm a MN teams fan for life! Congrats to your Yanks BTW.
    GO VIKINGS!
  3. snowball
    646. Posted by snowball Wed Nov 11 11:03am EST

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    Sure. Here's my background. I'm from CT so I don't follow all WI or MN teams.... just my Packers. I grew up with brothers and have been watchin football all my life. NFL is my passion, I love it. So that's where I get off giving my opinion on a football blog. Just a fan........just a cheesehead. Or fudge packer... Sure it don't make sense...... but my Yanks won the series, and my Knicks suck, and in the end, you'll clinch the divsion, and that will hurt. DAMMIT !!!

    Best of luck to you Rod....... you just keep boastin round in your purples like you should be right now.
  4. Rodney Danger
    645. Posted by Rodney Danger Wed Nov 11 10:48am EST

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    Snowball?
    Sensitive? Who's being sensitive? I was merely inquiring to the background behind some of your comments due to that fact that your profile says you're from Connecticut and that a WISCONSIN professional sports team has worn purple colors in its past (so why would I mention Baltimore when it has no connection to either MN or WI?). As for "Fudge Packers", its about as original as Packer Fan names for the Vikings (BiQueens, ViQueens, whatever). In any case its all just one big gay joke in the end (and there's another one, heh). Obviously this is just a football forum, but like I said, I was just looking for some validation to your comments.
    GO VIKINGS!
  5. snowball
    644. Posted by snowball Wed Nov 11 10:23am EST

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    Rodney Danger ~~ Insults? that is just some smack talk within the Pack / Vikes fan rivalry. You aren't used to it by now? Besides, did you have the pleasure of seeing the 4th quarter of this TB/Pack game? What else do we have but to talk shlt. The Vikes are leading the NFC North, man, enjoy it and don't be so sensitive!!

    Fudge Packer...... real original, I could take offense to it but I won't cuz it's football!!

    This isn't a basketball blog hun, you'd have been better off mentioning Baltimore when searchin for a purple comeback.
  6. Rodney Danger
    643. Posted by Rodney Danger Wed Nov 11 9:22am EST

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    Snowball, why are you even posting? Says you're from Conneticut, the land of no professional teams whatsoever. So unless you're originally from either Minnesota or Wisconsin, your comments are null. BTW, several teams wear or have worn purple in their uniforms, such as oh I dunno... the MILWAUKEE BUCKS! Do some research before trying to make insults people, jeez, some Fudge Packer fans, I tell ya...
  7. snowball
    642. Posted by snowball Wed Nov 11 9:04am EST

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    Thomas....... it's worth it to see Favre choke just to shut up these Vikes fans..... they've been bettin on the Superbowl since Favre went in. Only one thing, they may make it to the bowl....... but in typical Minnesota fashion, the ring will still be out of reach because real men don't wear purple!!
  8. high school ref.
    641. Posted by high school ref. Wed Nov 11 1:03am EST

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    That Tampa defense is averaging 28.875 points allowed per game. If the offense could average 29 points per game in place of their current 16.75, they could go undefeated the rest of the year. Tampa needs a coach for the defense, the offense is doing enough. Either way Tampa is not going anywhere for the next few years under this current regime. They have the players, now they just need the coach.
  9. Dan G
    640. Posted by Dan G Tue Nov 10 5:53pm EST

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    Hey Thomas

    You packer fans can take your bitterness and shove it. Packers are done, and the Vikings run this division. Get over it.
  10. <i>thomasroshae</i>
    639. Posted by thomasroshae Tue Nov 10 4:37pm EST

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    Oh it'll be much sooner than 20-30 years. I'd say more like 2-3 years and we'll be back where we should be, competing for the NFC crown. As for now, we'll play the season out, take what we can from it and move on. Although the Packers season is not lost, I will have just as much fun watching Favre choke as I will watching the rest of the Green Bay games. Packers Fan for Life! Oh and 'fudgepacker' is really creative...but at least we don't wear purple. Suck it vikes
  11. snowball
    638. Posted by snowball Tue Nov 10 2:58pm EST

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    Vikes fans....... you're in for a rude awakening. Favre is not play-off material. Better keep your team healthy if you want that ring.... right now, i would agree about you guys in the Superbowl. I'm still not sold that Brett can last through the whole season.

    Go Pack Go Forever without Favre and beyond!!!!!!!!!!! We'll be back....... may take 20-30 years but we will be!! : )
  12. Mike W
    637. Posted by Mike W Tue Nov 10 2:02pm EST

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    No, Rodney, I'm not attacking all viking fans, just some that talkout of their asses.
  13. Dan G
    636. Posted by Dan G Tue Nov 10 1:49pm EST

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    Mike W

    No need to blame others about your aids condition, your anal cavity has been through enough, perhaps that's why you talk out of it!

    Bozo.


    Vikes. Learn to love it.
  14. barter n
    635. Posted by barter n Tue Nov 10 1:49pm EST

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    Hey -- up here in Green Bay there is a local football show hosted on Tuesday nights that features two offensive linemen who, according to the promo spots, as hosts "break all the rules." I think that would include illegal procedure, holding, and the biggest rule of all--never let some of the worst defensive lines in the league EVER touch your quarterback unless they are shaking his hand after the game and congratulating him on his win.
  15. Rodney Danger
    634. Posted by Rodney Danger Tue Nov 10 1:46pm EST

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    Mike W -
    So you attack all Viking fans for a few just rubbing it in that you lost to an 0 and 7 team? Don't get your fudge packed panties in a bunch, its all in good fun for rivals such as our teams. And your gay jokes don't exactly help your cause either, doesn't show much class, but I guess that's what SOME of you Packer fans are known for.
    GO VIKINGS!
  16. Mike W
    633. Posted by Mike W Tue Nov 10 12:01pm EST

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    Sorry Dan -
    Your wife told me last night about your condition. Sorry to hear that anal seepage came back. You really should stop going to them gay bars. Not good buddy.
  17. Mike W
    632. Posted by Mike W Tue Nov 10 11:59am EST

    Report Abuse

    And pitbull - you need someone to bury their fist down your throat - you @#$%!
  18. Dan G
    631. Posted by Dan G Tue Nov 10 11:58am EST

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    Mike W

    Go run yourself into a wall. You fudge fans are the worst. No revenge coming in the near future, packers won't even sniff the playoffs for at least a decade. Suck it.
  19. Mike W
    630. Posted by Mike W Tue Nov 10 11:56am EST

    Report Abuse

    To all the biqueen fans that seem to possess no knowledge of footbal, and typing skills that limit their posts to "hahahahaha". Keep it up. We all will take great joy in rubbing it in to no end when you do choke. And it will happen. You know it will, too. Always does. So again, keep it up. No place on earth will be safe when we come back for revenge. Of course it will be difficult for use to find you once you all disapear from these boards, like you do every year. You, my friends, are pathetic.
  20. <i>thomasroshae</i>
    629. Posted by thomasroshae Tue Nov 10 10:19am EST

    Report Abuse

    Post #612, I couldn't have said it any better myself. I am extremely frustrated as a Packers fan and something MUST change for this team to put forth the effort I know they are capable of. Rodgers is solid...when he has protection. He has no time to think and when you only have 1 second after the snap to make a decision where to throw the ball, more times than not it'll end in either a sack or Rodgers running wildly in the backfield...and then getting sacked. Obviously this is just the beginning of the Packers' problems i.e. special teams, playcalling, O-line (all pathetic)
    As for all you Vikings fans, I acknowledge you guys have a great team but there is no way in hell that the motherf****r quarterbacking your team will win you guys a superbowl. Not this year, not next year, not ever. He'll fold when the weather gets cold. Mark my words @#$%es.
  21. stukid
    628. Posted by stukid Tue Nov 10 7:46am EST

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    Way to go Tampa. At the start of the game, 0-8 was lookin' like a reality. Kudos to you for not folding. Special teams and splash plays kept you in it. Josh Freeman looked good, but one game does not a Hall of Fame make- (see M. Sanchez). Good luck the rest of the way. You have NO twice, ATL twice, CAR on the road. I see a spoilers role in the making! Go Bucs!
  22. <i>xtradloffx</i>
    627. Posted by xtradloffx Tue Nov 10 12:43am EST

    Report Abuse

    Packers suck hahahahahahahaha
  23. d-dawg
    626. Posted by d-dawg Mon Nov 9 11:47pm EST

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    I taped the game so if any of you Packer Backers wanna watch it again.....I know I will....LMAO
    VIKINGS RULE!!!
  24. Dan G
    625. Posted by Dan G Mon Nov 9 11:08pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Packers suck fat noodles! hahahahahahahahahaha

    Vikes.
  25. d-dawg
    624. Posted by d-dawg Mon Nov 9 9:54pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Aric the supergenius
    how bout those Packers.....LMAO
    Go Vikings!!!!!!
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Green Bay
A. Rodgers Aaron Rodgers QB
17-35, 266 yds
2 TDs, 3 INTs
3 Rush, 26 yds, 1 TD
 Tampa Bay
J. Freeman Josh Freeman QB
14-31, 205 yds
3 TDs, 1 INT

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