TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -The Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are off to one of the strongest starts in the NFC are not the same old Bucs.
Eight seasons removed from winning the franchise’s only Super Bowl title with a dominating defense that was among the NFL’s best for more than a decade, the league’s youngest team is building a new identity with a rapidly improving offense led by second-year quarterback Josh Freeman.
Freeman had the best passer rating of his career during Sunday’s 31-16 victory over Carolina. And the Bucs (6-3) gained a season-best 421 yards total offense while finally showing signs of developing a dependable running game.
The one-two punch of rookie LeGarrette Blount and former featured back Cadillac Williams combined for 153 of Tampa Bay’s season-high 186 yards on the ground. Each scored a touchdown, with Williams breaking a 45-yarder on third-and-10 to seal the win in the closing minutes.
Freeman, meanwhile, threw for 241 yards, two TDs and no interceptions for a 134.2 passer rating that left coach Raheem Morris raving about the “exciting” style of football the 22-year-old has introduced to a market that’s come to expect its team to be driven by defense.
“When we took over this program, me and Mark Dominik sat down together and said we know it’s a lot easier to win with a quarterback,” said Morris, who replaced Jon Gruden as coach following the 2008 season.
Freeman was the third quarterback selected in the 2009 draft behind Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez. One of Dominik’s first moves as general manager was to acquire tight end Kellen Winslow in a trade, and this year’s draft brought two more targets for Freeman – receivers Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn.
“It wasn’t a popular decision at the time. … But it’s a lot more fun to win like this, and it’s a lot easier to win when you have a quarterback of this caliber that can go out there and get the ball to all these weapons,” Morris said.
After throwing for 10 touchdowns vs. 18 interceptions in nine starts as a rookie, Freeman has 12 TD passes against five interceptions through nine games this season.
Williams and Benn, who were among seven first-year players starting for Tampa Bay against the Panthers, have combined for seven TD catches.
Freeman has impressed with his ability to remain unruffled under pressure. He’s led fourth-quarter comebacks in four of Tampa Bay’s six wins this year, and he figures to get better playing with a lead if the Bucs can continue to run the ball like they did Sunday.
The 247-pound Blount, signed off waivers after spending training camp with the Tennessee Titans, rushed for 91 yards against Carolina, with 73 of them on an 87-yard march he finished with his fourth touchdown of the season.
Williams, who’s starts but has become more of a third-down back with the emergence of Blount, gained 62 yards on five carries. His clinching TD came on his longest run since 2005, when he was the NFL offensive rookie of the year.
The sixth-year pro’s biggest contribution has been in protecting Freeman in passing situations, however Morris said it would be a mistake to underestimate what Williams can do, especially with holes like the one that opened on his touchdown run.
A TD burst, incidentally, that Williams – averaging just 3 yards per carry – predicted in the huddle when he implored an improving offensive line to create some running room and “I’m going to the house.”
“Those guys did a great job. It wasn’t nothing but green grass,” he added.
“Caddy called his shot. He said, `We won’t have to throw the ball. I’m going for six,”’ tight end John Gilmore said. “I couldn’t help but laugh as I followed him down the field. It was Babe Ruth stuff.”
Morris said the running back’s value to the team can’t be measured in statistics.
Even though Blount is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has added another dimension to the offense with size and surprising quickness, Williams is counted on for leadership and will remain a big part of game plans.
“It’s easy to be the coach from outside of the building if you don’t know what’s going on inside, if you don’t know how much Cadillac has helped LeGarrette Blount get to this point,” the coach said. “He means a lot to us, he means a lot to our offense. And he certainly means a lot to Freeman. Just ask him.”
Williams said he wants to do what’s best for the Bucs, who are tied for second in the NFC South and play at San Francisco (3-6) on Sunday.
“I am a competitor. I would love to be out there to get more carries. But it is what it is. We’re winning. We’re 6-3, and it’s just a pleasure to see young guys out here playing good,” the 28-year-old said.
“I personally feel like I have a lot to offer. I still can do more. But it’s team first with me. I’m going to continue to support these guys, get people ready to play, continue to be a leader on this team. And whenever my number if called, I’ve just go to try to do the best with it.”
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