The Reason Why Freeman Hasn’t Started
October 10th, 2009
One reason Joe was in pain that the Bucs drafted Josh Freeman in the first round of last spring’s draft was Joe thought it was a reach. Seeing the early success of quarterbacks taken just before Freeman, Matt Stafford of Detroit and Mark Sanchez with the New York Jets, bears Joe out.
Stafford and Sanchez played at a higher level in college against much stronger competition. Freeman did not excel in a conference with garbage defenses.
But Freeman’s readiness may not solely be the reason the Bucs haven’t had Freeman take a snap yet. The Bucs may just be too horrible for Freeman to start. That’s the premise of Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, writing for NBCSports.
But just because Stafford and Sanchez have handled it doesn’t mean every quarterback can. The Bucs have taken it very slowly with their first round quarterback Josh Freeman. After benching opening day starter Byron Leftwich, they went with Josh Johnson ahead of Freeman.
The Bucs probably don’t have the kind of infrastructure in place to develop an inexperienced quarterback. The Jets definitely do, given their defense and running game. They are set up a lot like the Ravens were in 2008, when they developed Flacco.
Joe wouldn’t be opposed at all if Freeman didn’t take a snap until next year. What’s the rush? It isn’t like Freeman is going to magicially save the season.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:40 am
What if this guy is an absolute Bust? You go thru 2009 and 2010 breaking in a QB who’s never going to be a starter. Did the Falcons have all the “infrastucture” last season? This is ridiculous, we need to find out NOW. Morris and Dominik are in job-preservation mode, cuz if Freeman fails, they fail as well. They are delaying the inevitable, their firings.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Rumors I hear Joe is that some in the orginazation are questioning his work ethic. He has been reporting in overweight and is not much on studying film. JJ got his chance because Freeman just isnt ready to be a starter in the NFL.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
James:
Joe has checked into those rumors and cannot find any evidence that they are true.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Thanks Joe, the source was from one of your least favorite radio programs.
October 10th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
That remark about Sanchez and Stafford having success in college and Josh Freeman not is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. What notable player did Josh Freeman ever play with that’s in the NFL other then Jordy Nelson? Can’t say the same for Sanchez or Stafford.
October 10th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
The Falcons had M Turner and a good pass rush last year…
We have neither thus far…
October 10th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Start Freeman now. He’s a special talent, but he needs he needs all the snaps can get. This year has already been brutal. You want to go into next season breaking in yet another inexperienced QB? Let him take some lumps and taste adversity now when the season is a bust. This Josh Johnson experiment is a waste of time. Nice kid, but there’s a reason why he was not recruited out of high school and why nobody but Gruden had him on their draft board.
October 10th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Fredrick:
Chucky was also high on John Parker Wilson.
October 11th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Jordan:
What notable player did Eli Manning have at Ole Miss? He came within a whisker of getting the Rebels to the SEC championship game.
Solid quarterbacks make their teammates better.