A familiar feeling is in the air

Just take one glance at Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman and you get a glimpse of the change that is taking place at One Buc Place.  Freeman is possibly a good 15 to 20 pounds lighter and appears to be in top shape. Those shaggy curly locks have been removed and a sleek business style cut has replaced them. Yes, just one look and Freeman appears all business. He appears completely focused and serious about the season ahead. Now this is not to say in any way that Freeman was ever in the past not serious and focused. But for some reason Freeman appears different.  Almost like that boxer whose opponent has talked trash to him for six months leading up to the fight. Freeman has that serious look that says he can't wait for the bell to ring and let him come out of the corner so he can come out swinging.

This entire persona seems to have swept over everyone at One Buc.  Almost to a person you can see that serious, business attitude.  It remains the "off season" yet Buc players on their own arrive early at One Buc and work hard at their craft.  Heck, Adrian Clayborn arrives early enough that he has to get past the stray cats that guard the front door in the mornings.

Now I have no idea if it is the new head coach, or maybe the new coaching staff, or maybe just the players themselves being sick and tired of the NFL analyst saying they rank toward the bottom of the league. But something has changed. The attitude is different. Who or what gets the credit for that change is irrelevant.  Those of us that have been here from the beginning can remember being the favorite opponent on other teams schedules. We also remember being the feared opponent on other teams schedules. But it's that feeling in the middle that we remember also. That feeling when you knew something was different. Something is changing.  A new leadership had stepped in with Tony Dungy. A new direction and a new purpose was clearly defined and adhered to. Yes, it was a different feeling and one that I personally will never forget.  It's that feeling that, for whatever reason, seems to be building at One Buc this very moment.  Enjoy the ride Bucs fans. You'll remember this feeling for a long time. GO BUCS!