Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Bucs / Image: Zuma Press

After the game, Bucs head coach Raheem Morris kept things in perspective in getting his first-ever win:

“A great start to how we want to be, how we want to look, how we want to play. These guys played passionate. Obviously it’s not about me. It’s about us.”

Josh made his fair share of mistakes today. Especially early on. He looked like he had a case of first-start jitters. But after he got rid of the nervousness he was certainly feeling, I think he gained a wealth of experience on a special day for this organization. When the season started—when Byron Leftwich was named the starting quarterback—I knew matters would eventually fall into the hands of Josh Freeman, the QB this team drafted to be their quarterback of the future. And he didn’t disappoint.

I loved the throwback look today (and I emphasize today). But when the Bucs went to red and pewter 13 years ago, it was probably the best uniform upgrade in the history of the NFL. After today’s impressive win, I wonder if the team is rethinking that decision?

Sources: Buccaneers.com, NFL.com, TampaBayOnline

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Josh Freeman Makes First Start, Bucs Win

Gaines Adams traded to Chicago Bears / Image: Zuma Press

Gaines was widely considered one of the “faces” of the Tampa Bay franchise—hey, he was even one of four players who modeled the throwback orange creamsicle unis this season—so this comes as a shock in that sense. But when you look at his lack of production (13.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 37 games)—and head coach Raheem Morris’ no-nonsense (and no-patience) style—I can’t say I’m surprised that the Bucs chose to beat the NFL trading deadline by four days in dealing Gaines.

Coach Morris put the handwriting on the wall just a few weeks ago:

“He hasn’t (put forth the production), and I think Gaines knows that. Gaines is one of those guys that knows that he is judged on whether he touches the quarterback or not. Right now he is not getting production as far as not just touching the quarterback, the tackles, the sacks. He’s not getting any of that. He is not playing up to par right now. He’s holding himself accountable. We have to hold him accountable, and it is tough right now. He is not getting it done. There are no excuses. There are no explanations. Gaines is not getting it done right now.”

I’m not sure this deal makes a lot of sense for the Bears. They get a young defensive end with a lot of potential. But it’s just potential. And he’s not going to start ahead of Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown. So, why would you give up a second round pick for an unproven, backup defensive end?

I hope I’m wrong, but Gaines’ best football might already be behind him. His numbers have been declining. And when you consider what the Bears are giving up (the aforementioned second round Draft pick), I think it’s too much of a risk—especially because with this deal complete, they are now without a first and second round selection in next year’s Draft. Remember, they let go of their number one pick in 2010 when they acquired Jay Cutler from Denver. Gaines Adams better have a tremendous career turnaround to justify this kind of commitment by the Bears.

Sources: PewterReport.com, ChicagoBears.com

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Bucs Trade Gaines Adams to Bears

Josh Johnson, Tampa Bay Bucs / Image: Zuma Press

My money has been on rookie Josh Freeman taking over the starting spot as early as the midway point of this season. And that still might happen. But for now, another young quarterback with very little experience—Josh Johnson—will get the call. Josh will give the Bucs an option they just didn’t have with Byron—mobility (not to mention a rocket arm). Josh can, and will, make plays outside the pocket. But the team will need to improve their 25th ranked ground game if any quarterback is going to have success in this offense. Right now, it’s an experiment at the most important position on the team for the Bucs.

Source: Buccaneers.com

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Bucs Promote Quarterback Josh Johnson

Byron Leftwich, Tampa Bay Bucs / Image: Zuma Press

Byron was in a highly publicized competition with Josh Freeman and backup QBs Luke McCown and Josh Johnson. He was pleased to have another opportunity to be a starter:

“I was very excited. When I get home, I’ll probably be screaming, getting my emotions out. I’ve been holding them in. To work my tail off and get back to this point again, to be a starter on Week One ….. this is what I wanted and I’ll take full advantage of it. I think it will lead to a lot of good things for the Bucs this year ….. When I watched the film, I wanted to make sure I was going to the right place with the ball. I’ve never been an inaccurate passer. I know how to hit those passes. I’m not worried about that. The great thing was that I was able to get to the right reads with the ball. Some of those were on my third or fourth read that I got to, and that’s what I wanted to see. The balls that I missed, I missed them. Thank God it was the preseason and not the regular season. I learned a lot from it, and I’ll hit those when they count. You want to hit them in the preseason, but I’ve never been an inaccurate guy. That was something that I haven’t worried about my whole career and I won’t begin to worry now.”

Source: Buccaneers.com

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Bucs Name Byron Leftwich Starting QB

Tampa Bay Bucs throwbacks / Image: NFLShop.com

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Bucs Introduce 1976 Throwback Uniforms

Byron should be the favorite to win the starting role in Tampa. Otherwise, why would be have bolted from Pittsburgh? He knows he can be a starter in this league so if not now, when? In limited duty with the Steelers last season, Byron managed a 104.3 quarterback rating while completing nearly 60% of his passes. Obviously, Ben Roethlisberger is the choice at quarterback for the Steelers, so Byron was merely a really good insurance policy should Big Ben be hurt. After spending some time shopping his unrestricted free agent services to the Steelers and Redskins, Byron ultimately chose the Bucs and should thrive in the team’s new Raheem Morris/Jeff Jagodzinski offense.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Bucs Sign Byron Leftwich

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Tampa Bay Bucs continued to cut into their massive amount of salary cap space today, keeping receiver Michael Clayton on the roster with a five-year, $24 million deal ($10.5 million is guaranteed money). Michael spent some time interviewing with the Lions and Vikings, but cancelled a trip to Seattle when he realized the weather in Tampa was really nice. Actually, the Bucs called him and told him not to get on any plane that wasn’t headed to Tampa. In other words, they gave him what he was looking for financially. Plus, the Bucs appear to have a good thing happening with new head coach Raheem Morris so why would Michael want to be anywhere else?

The signing means both Michael and fellow receiver Antonio Bryant will remain with the team in 2008 — which is a good thing considering both players were rather prominent in the Bucs’ passing attack last season. Antonio was, without question, the team’s top option (83 catches for 1,248 yards), but Michael managed 38 catches and was second on the team in yards per catch (12.7). Even with the addition of tight end Kellen Winslow, I believe Michael’s role in the Tampa Bay offense will be increased in 2009.

Source: Tampa Tribune, Photo: Newscom

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Bucs Keep Michael Clayton

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Tampa Bay Bucs traded the always intriguing “undisclosed draft picks” to the Cleveland Browns for tight end Kellen Winslow today. Kellen’s introductory presser ended just about an hour ago and he said:

“I’m happy to be playing football, happy to have a job. You know, it’s tough. This is just a blessing. Cleveland was great to me (liar). I had a good time in Cleveland (liar) … But, this is a new opportunity.”

In signing with the Bucs, Kellen gets to return to the state of Florida where he spent his college career at the University of Miami. And it ends a five-year era of injury and controversy in Cleveland where, outside of the 2007 season, Kellen never lived up to his true potential. It’s almost as though his time in Cleveland was doomed from the start. Still, he managed 219 receptions for 2,459 yards and 11 touchdowns in 44 NFL games. But he’s only 25-years-old and hopefully the change of scenery will jump-start his career. The Bucs are certainly figuring that will be the case. As long as K2 can stay away from motorcycles and staph infection, he should be good to go.

Source: Buccaneers.com, Photo: Newscom

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Bucs Trade for Kellen Winslow

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Tampa Bay Bucs went nuts today, releasing five veteran players in a move that made a firm commitment to the team’s younger players. Linebacker Derrick Brooks, receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, running back Warrick Dunn and linebacker Cato June were all sent packing. Only Cato is under 30-years-old. And sure, I can accept that the Bucs want to go in a different direction. But when a team loses not only good players but also good people — some of the best in the entire National Football League — it’s hard to imagine it can be a good thing. New head coach Raheem Brock understands this:

“There’s no doubt we are losing players with a tremendous amount of leadership and character. You never replace a guy like Derrick Brooks. This was not a money issue or a youth movement. This is a direction change. We are moving forward. We’re going to play some people that were behind these guys and let them compete.”

That doesn’t really explain what direction the team is headed. But if it’s not a money issue or a youth movement — and leadership and character have already been factored in — the team obviously feels the skills of these players has diminished beyond repair. So, it will be interesting to see how the former backups do in starting roles. And it will be interesting to see how each of these now free agent players fits with other teams, if at all. In other words, I hope the Bucs know what they are doing as they change their direction.

Source: Buccaneers.com, Photo: Newscom.com

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Bucs Purge Veteran Roster

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Less than 24 hours after “dismissing” head coach Jon Gruden, the Tampa Bay Bucs promoted defensive backs coach (and recently promoted defensive coordinator) Raheem Morris to head coach. This was not the “high-profile” selection I was expecting, but given the Bucs’ history, I’m not surprised it was a coach with a defensive background. Coach Morris’ philosophy?

“I’m going to be Raheem Morris. The atmosphere changes with the person. You deal with people how you deal with people on an everyday basis. That’s what I plan to do. We’re a family. The Glazers are a family. We’re family-driven. That’s how we work. We’ve always worked that way. Joel (Glazer, co-chairman) said it the best — the Buccaneers are in my blood. I’ve been raised here. You guys raised me….. Around here, we don’t talk about philosophies as much. Our philosophy is our core beliefs, it’s our fundamental style of attack. That’s who we are, that’s who we’ll always be….. We’re going to stay the course. That’s what we have to do to be great.”

Coach Morris will be the youngest head coach in the NFL at 32 years old. Mark Dominik, formerly the Bucs’ director of pro personnel, was promoted to GM.

Source: Buccaneers.com, Photo: Newscom

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Bucs Name Raheem Morris Head Coach