Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
The Buccaneers began the Greg Schiano era in great fashion on Sunday, but it wasn’t a totally perfect day. Yes, the Bucs won which was more than we al expected, but there is plenty of room for improvement.
That being said, in contrast with last season, the Bucs 16-10 thumping of the Panthers Week 1 looked like the best game the Bucs have played in a while. In fact it was the best game they’ve played since they beat the Saints in Tampa back in 2011. So before we move ahead and start prepping for the Super Bowl champs next week, lets wrap a pleasant first week up in a nice and neat little bow while we highlight the winners and losers from the Bucs Week 1 win.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE
Winner: Josh Freeman
Freeman had an abysmal 2011 campaign but he may not have to hear about it for much longer. He was clearly sick of having to deal with the harsh criticism that came from the media this offseason for that aformentioned season so he hit the books hard. Freeman studied tape, got into shape and honed his skills all offseason long. He’s obviously got a solid relationship already intact with head coach Greg Schiano which is great. Freeman not only looks better, he looks more mature. Looking back on teh Raheem Morris youngry relationship, Freeman was a frat boy in the moth Catholic sense. He wasn’t a partier but he had room to slack and it showed. This year Freeman looks more focused and more mature which is key in his development. When he won with Raheem, he was getting lucky. With Schiano he’s actually playing like a quarterback.