It was a game of firsts for the Buccaneers as
rookie quarterback Josh Freeman got Tampa Bay off the schnide in his first NFL
start by throwing three touchdown passes, two of those coming in the fourth
quarter, in a 38-28 come-from-behind win over Green Bay that saw the club and
first-year coach Raheem Morris pick up their first win.
Freeman directed a short scoring drive to find Kellen Winslow on a seven-yard
TD shortly after Green Bay went up 11 on a bruising 12-yard TD run by Aaron
Rodgers two minutes into the fourth. The two-point conversion failed, leaving
the hosts down 28-23, but Freeman came back to engineer a 72-yard drive for
the go-ahead score.
The Bucs reached the Packers' seven with 4 1/2 minutes to go and on 4th-and-4
Freeman found fellow rookie Sammie Stroughter for his first NFL touchdown.
This time the two-point try was successful as Freeman was sharp on a pass to
Michael Clayton to take a 31-28 lead.
Tampa Bay kept the pressure on Rodgers and forced a quick punt. The Pack was
able to regain possession with 1:35 left on the clock but Rodgers was picked
off by safety Tanard Jackson, who raced 35 yards the other way for the final
score.
It was Freeman, though, that proved to be the difference in the Bucs' earning
their first win as the Kansas State product threw for 205 yards on 14-of-31
pass attempts with an interception. Derrick Ward was the recipient of his
first career TD pass in the opening quarter.
Taken 17th overall in April's draft, Freeman became Tampa Bay's third starting
quarterback this season after the benching of Josh Johnson following four
ineffective games leading the offense.
It was a complete game effort for Tampa Bay (1-7). The defense stepped up
with six sacks and three interceptions of Rodgers.
A heady play from linebacker Geno Hayes resulted in seven as he shot the gap
over center to block a punt that was returned 31 yards for a touchdown by
veteran corner Ronde Barber.
A banged up Rodgers threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-35
efficiency, but was again let down by his offensive line. The Packers (4-4)
came in allowing the most sacks in the league and only added to that total in
dropping their second straight game.
Ryan Grant rushed for 96 yards and a score on 21 carries while Donald Driver
and James Jones both caught TD passes in the setback.
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