Building momentum
The Tampa Tribune, published 25 November 2013

There are still five games remaining in the 2013 season, but some Bucs can’t wait to turn the page and start anew. And they’re hoping coach Greg Schiano is back to lead the charge.

“We had coach’s back the whole time this season because he had ours,’’ second-year outside linebacker Lavonte David said. “The man never cracked, not once. He’s been the same man since Day One. In my opinion, there’s no reason to make a change. Obviously we didn’t want to start 0-8, but now it’s about finishing strong. If we do that, we’ll head into 2014 with a great mindset.’’

Tiquan Underwood, who played for Schiano at Rutgers, said Sunday’s victory was particularly gratifying. “This win is big for this football team,’’ Underwood said. “Detroit is a quality team, very physical, and we walk out of this building with a victory. That means something. Coach continues to lead us, and we’re going to continue to play hard for Coach.’’

Rookie defensive tackle Akeem Spence said Sunday’s key was the “will to win’’ displayed by offense, defense and special teams as the Bucs posted their first road victory since the 2012 season finale at Atlanta. “As a team,’’ Spence said, “our confidence is going through the roof.’’

Winning the turnover battle has been critical too. After turning the ball over eight times in the first four games, Tampa Bay has been guilty of only four giveaways in the past seven weeks. “It always feels good to win in someone else’s house,’’ said wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who was targeted only three times Sunday. “We wanted to take care of the football and get as many takeaways as we could.’’