Bucs may have begun next season early Tom McEwen, The Tampa Tribune, published 21 December 2009 It's regrettable that the Bucs game Sunday, which they won 24-7 in Seattle, was not the first game of this season instead of the third from the last. However, betting here is that Coach Raheem Morris used that angle with the team, declaring this the first game of the next season. Betting here also is the players themselves chose to use that same tact as surely did young quarterback Josh Freeman. Freeman had a fine day in Seattle, the kind of day he hoped to have. He made a few errors but not many, and the Bucs made a few errors but as many as Seattle. People everywhere, looking at this situation and knowing how lousy the Buccaneers have been playing, surely will agree this may very well be the start of something good. The Bucs in this, only the second win of the season, did all the things, played in the manner anticipated all season for the 24-7 win that could have been more. Seattle made the mistakes the Bucs have made throughout. They were throwing interceptions at the start and at the end. But in between, Freeman said to be the likely future of this team, played as all have expected. He was accurate enough in his passing, particularly in the second half, demonstrating his progress and the speed of his passes impressed. Often, his throws could not have been completed if he had not had the zing on the ball to get it to his catchers who were surrounded. It was the result Coach Morris had promised and on this day in Seattle, Freeman came through. He performed as promised, particularly in the second half. He threw passes to receivers who seem to be covered but broke free enough to get in position to receive them. I frankly think he genuinely impressed those who saw this game, including those doubters. Of course, Freeman had to have his receivers in position, and most of the time they were. His primary receivers seem to include Cadillac Williams, who also ran the ball with zip, Antonio Bryant, Maurice Stovall, Kellen Winslow and Derrick Ward. Stovall and Ward were also slashing runners. This is a good win, late as it is in the season, but perhaps it can suggest what may lie in the future. I would imagine the performance of this team may well have improved Coach Morris' standing with the Buc ownership, as it surely did with fans who clearly were becoming disgruntled, just as clearly Seattle fans were disgruntled with their team. New Orleans and Atlanta remain on the schedule, at New Orleans next week and closing the season here against the Falcons on Jan. 3. You can bet again that the Bucs will be the underdogs in both of these games, although Atlanta will come here out of the playoffs as well. Word now is the Buccaneers may be the darling of the draft in April. They could have as many as 10 top draft picks with which to make choices. Most fans are counting heavily on that draft and the quick prospects of the future. If there is any unrest in the Buc organization of having another lousy year causing season ticket holders to weigh their options more closely, I haven't seen it. When the season began, my personal estimate was that the Bucs didn't have much and were last-place contenders and were starless. That is no longer so now, as they have some stars rising, but they have a long way to reach the stardom they seek and we seek for them. It would be nice to be around a winner again at One Buc Place.