Did Packers underestimate the Buccaneers?

Coach Mike McCarthy said they didn't, but the question had to be asked. But McCarthy did admit he was worried about his team's demeanor entering the game, especially coming off an emotional loss to rival Minnesota last week.

"We were concerned as a team coming in here," McCarthy. "I don't care who you play or what their record is, especially when you play a team on the road after a bye, it's a little bit more of a challenge. I'm not trying to make excuses. We did not play at the level that we needed to play at for four quarters today and that starts with me."

McCarthy spoke of the Packers' inability to handle the emotional situations the game presented.

"We need to handle the adversity that is in front of us," he said. "We didn't handle the adversity of the way that game went up and down. That starts with me."

Comments

[Valrico Rick]

Why is the provocateur only listed as "Times Editor"? Trying to suck some of the feel good about today's win, but you don't have the bells to identify yourself! Time to wipe and flush!

[graydon]

So I am guessing "that starts with him".

[GTSkyrider]

Sometimes...things just don't work in your favor and what ever you say doesn't matter. These Bucs were pumped and really wanted to win....I don't care how many more games you lose...just don't lose the the ragedy ain'ts!!!!

[BucFandango]

Sure they underestimated the Bucs today, but who didn't. They pulled it together for one win, against a mediocre team. Freeman did a good job, got better as the game went on, and I was wrong about him. He played better than I hoped for, but the play calling was suspect as usual when they abandoned the run in the red zone by not just pounding it in. What a win though. Man it sure felt good watching all those Packer Fans suck cheese after a comeback win, by the Bucs, down by 11 points, scoring 21 unanswered, when the chips were down. Can you believe it? What team was that? The Packers suck, were exposed, and probably won't win another game this year.

[Kurt]

I'm glad the QB played with some poise. He made some rookie mistakes, but all in all, I thought he handled himself rather well. Of course, if it weren't for Bissachia (the only leftover coach from the last regime,) we certainly would have lost. Great game by the special teams and good job punching it in for 6 when in the red zone. Great job Bucs! I may actually come down to see another game now!!!

[jay alexander]

stay with the ORANGE uneys it looked great please buc fans dont get hopes up for @ least 2years work the draft baby , :( but they dont work the draft well so dont expect to much the little midget jon g screwed them up pretty good

[DR]

jay alexander, good point, the talent on this team is at the lowest point in decades thanks to the retards gruden and allen who couldn't draft for shiz. The Bucs beat a better team, good for Morris and company.
I hope someone ripped into Tashard Jackson because he needs to know that taking a knee and clinching a game is more important than trying to pad his own stats and scoring TDs. Someone contact Monte and let him know the little dummy is gone so he can come back now.

[ref813]

I never thought we would win that game. I rarely bet on football and I almost put a lot of money on that. Other than several rookie mistakes (sliding when he needed to dive for a 1st, int. (really 2), and the sack at their own 3 or so) Freeman looked pretty good. JJ looked pretty good in his first game, too, but teams quickly adapted to him. Let's hope that's not the case with Freeman.
I think we can agree that Winslow was a good addition even at that price. Getting rid of Adams seems to have been a wise move, too. He has 2 assists and one pass def. for the Bears in 2 games. White has 2 sacks and 5 tackles in the last 2 games. Bennett looked decent. Moore is getting better. Even Hovan played pretty well. Trueblood managed to play a whole game with no penalties and without getting terribly beat once or more.
The things that still make me question Morris and/or Bates are the D rotation, timeouts, and that challenge. Ss and CBs don't need to rotate. That's why I can't understand why Allen was in the game while Sabby was fine. Morris called a TO right after an incompletion at the end of the 2nd quarter. Doesn't he know the clock stops? Then, he challenged the spot immediately. Why couldn't he wait a second for word from upstairs? GB wasn't rushing to the line or anything. He called a TO on D apparently because his headset was wrapped around his ankle. He looked entirely inept over there trying to get that thing off of his leg. He needs to get a bit better at managing TOs. Luckily, we didn't need them at the end.
As far as T. Jackson goes, my buddy said the same thing. I don't think GB could score 10 points in the little bit of time remaining. Give the guy a break. Even if he hadn't scored, they could've run the clock out.

[ref813]

Bucfandango, were you the streaker?
Let's not get too excited about Freeman just yet. Sanchez had a good start, but has definitely cooled off. Flacco is still playing fairly well, but he's not winning. I haven't heard much about Stafford. Ryan seems to be the only one who has really been consistent during his limited time in the league. I'll wait at least 4 more games before I say much about Freeman. Right now, I'm glad it looks like I could've been wrong about the guy, though. He has good pocket presence. He has a strong arm. His decision-making is something we will need to keep an eye on for a while. We'll see. Even if he does work out, I'm still not sold on Morris.

[Vincent]

Please don't make the same mistakes in Victory, that you do in defeat! It's JUST ONE GAME! It's just one win and although Freeman did a great job, don't anoint him the savior! He had two weeks to prepare for this game, and teams haven't had a chance to study how he plays,and get to know his tendency's. He's going to struggle, he's going to have good weeks, and probably more bad weeks at this point.

The only thing I could legitimately say the BUCS are excelling in at this point is the Special teams! This is based on the last full year (from mid-last season to now), the special teams have just progressed and are one of the most exciting corps in the League!

[BucFandango]

No ref813, I wasn't the Streaker, but I did lick mustard off the big toe of the Chick who sits behind me. She stuck it in my face and said "look".It was sweet brother, and I'm a gungy effer from way back. She couldn't believe it, but chills shot right up her....spine. LOL too many Budweisers. I still can't believe we won and I hope this doesn't mean our Coaches stay. If we win the next 8, OK I'm on board, but we still have ATL & NewO twice.

Kurt, I love your shirt, fits you a tee. Keep up the good work

[jjbjeff]

I don't know why people are critical about FREE-style sliding short of the first down. There were two defenders about to wipe him out.

If he had ran in there and got injured you would say why the hell didn't he slide? You are better off punting than wrecking your starting QB IMO.

[TriplePlay]

Bucs got lucky. The Pack already had this in the "W" column. The Packers O line played horrible. Why anybody doesn't go deep on the Bucs at least 10 times a game is a mystery to me. I loved when Wilkerson was the Spy. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaa