Vinny leads by errorless example Hubert Mizell, The St.Petersburg Times, published 11 September 1989 He'd been extraordinary. Tough, smart, accurate, and with zero interceptions. A masterpiece for “Vincent Van Throw.” But, with 5:32 to go against Green Bay, the Tampa Bay quarterback still had business to handle. When it appeared the Packers might steal Sunday's National Football League opener, Bucs safety Mark Robinson swiped a Don Majkowski pass. Immediately for Tampa Bay, the climactic challenge was clearer than the cool, blue Wisconsin sky. Vinny Testaverde gathered his offensive troupe, staring into the anxious eyes of 10 comrades: “Guys, this is our Super Bowl, right here today. If we're capable of championship football, we will now either kill the clock or score a touchdown. “Let's go do it!” Fire replaced anxiety in the Buccaneers' eyes. They attacked. No more conservatism, which had inexplicably become Tampa Bay's second-half offensive hallmark. It would take 12 plays. Testaverde used 240-pound fullback William Howard as his key accomplice, both as runner and receiver. “William came back to the huddle and said, `They're in a zone, and I'm open.' He was right.” Twice, the QB hit Howard, gaining 17 critical yards. Vinny was deaf to Lambeau Field's frantic roars, completing 4-of-4 passes as the five minutes were masterfully chewed. In the clutch, the Bucs had the prescription. Winners, by 23-21. His work done, Tampa Bay's No. 14 held a fist skyward. As if trying to high-five God. Packers people were booing, and Vincent Frank Testaverde was grinning. Never, in two previous pro seasons, had the 1986 Heisman Trophy recipient performed so purposefully, and so flawlessly. He completed 22 of 27 passes, a bedazzling 81 percent. Numbers usually associated with a Joe Montana, or a Dan Marino. Bossing a turnover-free Tampa Bay offense. Making crucial plays with flair. Scrambling with gusto and guts, when the situation demanded. Vinny played with big bravado, and big intelligence. “More you win,” he said, “the smarter you get.” Allowing not a single pass to be clutched by enemy mitts, a sin he committed a record 35 times in 1988. “I was tired of embarrassing myself,” Testaverde said. “We kept our poise. My offensive line protected me beautifully. It felt real good.” In reality, it was the White Bay Packers that Testaverde harpooned. They'd heard the stories, of how Vinny supposedly gets visually confused when Tampa Bay wears orange jerseys. The Packers, for the first time ever, came out in white shirts at Lambeau Field. Vinny colorized them. “That colorblindness stuff was really blown out of proportion,” Testaverde said. “I hope I proved it doesn't bother me. I don't care what color anybody wears.” Sunday's win was of monstrous importance to Tampa Bay, for obvious reasons and because the Bucs schedule now gets tougher than 69-cent sirloin. Coming next, at Tampa Stadium, will be the San Francisco 49ers, champs of the NFL. After that, New Orleans and Minnesota and Chicago. “It's only one-sixteenth of a season,” said the 25-year-old Testaverde, “but beating Green Bay is big. Now we'll go against the 49ers with some momentum, and increasing confidence.” Perspective, please. Not even the giddiest Bucs fan should fly into unrealistic optimism over winning 23-21 against a foe that, a year ago, was 4-12. But, if on any of the next four Sundays, the born-again Tampa Bays win again, well, it will be something worth at least muted trumpets and drumrolls. Beginning the season with a 2-3 record, considering the rigors of the Bucs schedule, would be a golden start for a team widely predicted to finish last in the NFC Central Division. Embraced by opening-day success, Testaverde spoke less painfully of past failings. “It's a matter, on pass plays, of going to the right people,” he said self-analytically. “Not throwing into heavy coverage. It's my new attitude. Don't force it! Take what's there! Take a safe, solid throw rather than a big risk! It's mistake-free football that wins games. I don't need to do as much as I thought I had to do in seasons past.”