Two years after pulling a stunner and firing coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are calling the changes they made successful.
The Bucs pulled off the biggest turnaround in franchise history, finishing 10-6 this season, a seven-game improvement over their effort in 2009 when they bottomed out in Raheem Morris’ first season.
Even though the team missed the playoffs, a rare snub for 10-win teams, owner Bryan Glazer is ecstatic about the future. There is plenty to be excited about. The Bucs have a young roster with plenty of building blocks for the future on both sides of the ball. None are bigger or more important, though, than quarterback Josh Freeman, who completed his second season. He displayed savvy in clutch situations and appears to be heading down a path of becoming an elite passer in the league.
"Before the season started, people said you can't start two rookie receivers with a second-year quarterback. You can't do this, you can't do that. What we've learned is, 'Don't tell me what you can't do, tell me what you can do,’” Glazer told the Tampa Tribune. “Our young players got a lot of experience and they are so far ahead of the curve we feel it will pay big dividends.'
"I can't say enough about Josh. He shows it both on and off the field and he's a natural-born leader. Since we arrived in Tampa, we have not had a franchise quarterback — and now we have one. He comes from a wonderful family, he's got his head screwed on straight and Josh Freeman is a great face for our franchise.''
Glazer called 2009 “painful” and the arrow is pointing up but the Bucs need to make sure they continue down the right path. Decisions must be made about potentially pursuing some seasoned veterans in free agency who can help speed up the development process of some of the young players.
The fan base was apathetic but you have to imagine tickets sales will be bolstered in 2011. The Bucs have much to be happy about, but they’re turnaround is far from complete. They need to sustain success with young players and that’s not always easy.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune