Despite overall record, Bucs want to finish strong The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not enjoyed much success in 2009, but they are one achievement away from ending this season on a bright note. The Bucs could finish on a three-game winning streak with a victory at home against the Atlanta Falcons in Sunday's season finale. It would be their best stretch of football since starting this season 0-7. "It would be at least one really positive goal accomplished," head coach Raheem Morris said. "We talked about finishing strong. We talked about finishing strong from the beginning, finding out ways to do it and finding out how to get stronger throughout the season. That would be one big positive thing that could be accomplished. It's for this team. It's for us. It's for the new year." One major positive heading into 2010 has been the play of rookie quarterback Josh Freeman. During Freeman's short tenure, the Bucs are 3-5 and have won two consecutive games after a rocky stretch in losses to the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets. The Bucs could finish the season with a 4-5 record with Freeman as their starting quarterback. In addition, Tampa Bay's defense has improved since Morris took over as defensive coordinator five games ago. The Bucs have gone from giving up 29.4 points a game to 17.2 during their last five games and reduced their total yardage allowed per game from 378.3 to 333.8. "It just shows for the future of this program that we can all buy in, and that what we practice and work so hard for will come to life if we believe," defensive tackle Roy Miller said. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Chris Hovan (illness) and center Jeff Faine (back) did not practice on Thursday. Faine has been slowed by biceps and elbow injuries this season, but Morris said the latest setback was due to soreness. Derrick Ward (knee), guard Jeremy Zuttah (toe) and Miller (hamstring) were limited in practice, while tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) fully participated. Anwar Richardson, The Tampa Tribune/The St.Petersburg Times January 2010