Bucs bask in first win

Freeman: First NFL victory

These guys played passionate. I don't have the official stats. Stats are for losers and this week we're winners.Raheem Morris

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Josh Freeman became an instant hero in Tampa Bay as the rookie quarterback engineered a first win of the season for the Bucs on his very first NFL start, but he was not getting carried away with his immediate success.

The 21-year-old became the youngest starting quarterback for the Bucs when he lined up against the Green Bay Packers, and he responded by throwing three touchdowns as they came from behind to win 38-28.

The first-round draft pick showed superb composure in the situation he was in and he was the key man as Tampa Bay ended their streak of 11 defeats on the spin.

The Bucs have had consistent problems at quarterback, and Freeman is the third starter this year and the tenth to start under centre since the team won the Super Bowl seven seasons ago.

Despite being thrust into the spotlight, Freeman says he was always relaxed and was just delighted the team have finally shed their winless tag for the season.

Relaxed

"I felt really relaxed," said Freeman. "I didn't get too high or two low. I can't say I did anything spectacular. I just played within myself, and when we had opportunities I took them.

"We have all been putting in a lot of work and really haven't been seeing a lot of results. It was just a big load off a lot of people's shoulders with the win.

"That's why I play football. I want to win games. That's the mindset all the guys on the team have. It is great to come out and have the opportunity to get the ball to our playmakers and let them do what they do, score touchdowns."

The Bucs also have youth in charge, with head coach Raheem Morris being just 33 and he was also celebrating his first victory Sunday night.

Morris was obviously relieved to win his first game, and says that it was a sign of how he wanted to play going forward, but warned Freeman still had a long way to go.

Great start

"That's a great start to how we want to be, how we want to work, how we want to play," said Morris. "These guys played passionate. I don't have the official stats. Stats are for losers and this week we're winners.

"We still have to be patient. We still have to let (Freeman) him grow. He made some mistakes. He can go back and look at himself that will allow him to get better and better.

"It was a nice start, very similar to the one I saw him do in college. Coming back, leading your team down with a two-minute drive, scoring a touchdown.

"However you do it is impressive. His age really doesn't matter at this point. He has to be a seven-year vet. He has to lead us to where we need to go."