Josh Freeman Not An All-Pro (Yet)
June 28th, 2010
The 2010 season will be a pivotal year for the Bucs. Once the season is over, a lot of decisions will be made.
One decision that won’t be made is who the Bucs starting quarterback will be. Of course, that’s Josh Freeman. But this season will answer quite a few questions about Freeman, namely his progress developing into an elite NFL signal-caller.
Don’t anoint him as the next Terry Bradshaw quite yet, cautions eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune. While the Bucs and the fans have high hopes for Freeman, Kaufman reminds people that this will be his first full season under center.
Q: How do you think Josh Freeman will do this season against some of the hardest defenses?
Corydon Metcalf, Indiana, Penn.
A: Freeman has a long way to go in terms of recognizing coverages and learning to throw the ball away instead of trying to force things. That 6.2 percent interception rate is way too high, but he was only a rookie and now he’s had a full offseason to work with offensive coordinator Greg Olson and new QBs coach Alex Van Pelt. Teams like the Steelers and Ravens will test the accuracy of any QB and Freeman is working with a young group of wide receivers. His development would be helped immensely if the Bucs can manage a productive ground game.
— eye-RAH! Kaufman
The run game is, of course, critical, and Joe’s not overly optimistic of it improving much. The Bucs were in the lower third of the league in rushing in 2010, and those running backs didn’t get any younger.
Throw in the fact Cadillac Williams is running on recycled knees and that fullback Earnest Graham suffered two season-ending injuries the past two seasons, Joe isn’t exactly resting easy at night content with the Bucs run game.
If you subtract embattled left tackle Donald Penn from the lineup, it’s even more troubling.
Without a running attack, the offense will be put on Freeman’s shoulders. Will he be ready?
June 28th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Damn, with all that going against you, who could be ready?
June 28th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
The whole left side of the line is a problem.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
This will forever stick in my mind the overtime win against the saints we passed twice and ran the rest of the time and we ran the ball down there throat. Bottom line Run the freaking ball get all 3 Rb’s touches we cant ride Caddilac cause as said before he is on two bum knees give Grahm more tocuhes if we put the pressure on Freeman and these rookie receivers and recycled recivers Fremman I gurranteed will be a bust
June 28th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Is there a doctor in the house? Caddy’s knees popped prior to contact both times, it appeared while cutting. When he gets lit up by some LB, is he any more likely to pop them again pushing against a pile for extra yards vs cutting back? Doctor I am not.
June 28th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Pay Penn. Trade a RB for a Guard.
Steelers just lost RT Colon for the year…at least we aren’t the only ones that will be screwed. Leftwich, hope your mobility has improved…hahahahahaha
June 28th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Like were gonna stop the Steelers running game………………………..or the Cats……………………………
Or hold up to the blitz.
Dream on.
June 28th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Salient points gentleman re tempered enthusiasm for Freeman in 2010. He does need help and is unlikely to get it from this bunch of cast-offs.
Jimbuc finally said something that makes some sense – the left side of the line is, today, a huge concern. Even if the Penn thing is worked out, I would still be concerned – particularly with depth.
I am sorry b/c I love Caddy but he is nothing more than mediocre and a pretty good story. I thought Ward would be excellent but I guess I was wrong because apparently someone isnt impressed by him.
The long and short of it – FReeman will probably continue to be bad but it may not be his fault. This is going to be a long a– year fellas!
June 28th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I am hoping that Freeman pans out better than Josh Campbell (sp).
I am hoping Freeman converts on more 3rd downs and throws fewer INTs…… hope and change and all that jazz. Seriously, if Freeman doesnt pan out then we are freakin screwed.
So I do hope at the very least he pans out.
June 28th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
KAREEM-HUGGINS
June 28th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
ERIC
Our defense, especially the front 7, has improved so much. Not only is the ‘GET BIG’ philopsphy of Jim Bates out the door but we have replaced the worst players, Raheem Morris is now calling the shots. Not only that, the other players who have kept a spot on the roster have been getting ripped this off-season.
If there is any thing to be worried about is is our offense. BTW How is Pittsburg going to run the ball down our throat with Leftwich at QB, no more Santonio Holmes, not to mention there starting RT is now out for the season. Rashard Mendenhall is not THAT good.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
MVPFreeman,
I admire your confidence, but did you happen to notice Atlanta’s third string RB shred our defense for 150 + the last game, with Rah calling the shots?
IMO the steelers can beat the bucs with Snake Stabler at QB, and hes oldddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd.
June 29th, 2010 at 12:21 am
Caddy’s knees did not “pop” prior to contact. First of all, if you watch the injuries you would see that they were initiated by the contact. Second of all he tore his Patellar Tendons. As someone who has had knee injuries I can tell you that while an ACL injury happens when your leg is over extended, a PCL does when your leg is over bent, that doesn’t happen just from cutting.
Aside from that I have to say I have more faith in Caddy then I think most of you, and probably more than is warranted. However, I saw flashes of greatness from him last year, as did you all, and I think with an entire offseason of him resting and restrengthening his knees he is going to come back this season in his rookie form. I hope so at least. And if he does, that will take a LOT of pressure off of Freeman, which would help his development greatly.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Thomas, I understand that Caddy’s health is a liability, but when was he ever mediocre? Come on man, your better than that!
June 29th, 2010 at 10:04 am
@ MichiganBucsFan …I agree. The O-line seems to have moved away from the zone blocking scheme as well. Hopefuly Penn shows up, and they all work together on one offense. This will help the running game as well. It is hard to base this year off of last years roller coaster ride.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Eric said…
“…but did you happen to notice Atlanta’s third string RB shred our defense for 150 + the last game, with Rah calling the shots…”
Snelling stats… 5’11” – 232
147yds/25 att/5.9 per carry…
131 yds AFTER the first contact.
10 total missed tackles.
One other small detail…
Between Ryan Sims and Dre Moore taking 57 of 78 snaps and neither one made a tackle or for that matter a stop the entire game…
http://www.profootballfocus.com/gstats.php?tab=by_week&season=2009&wk=17&teamid=30&gameid=1639&stats=d
Neither of these guys need to be on our team… Jesus himself couldn’t of stopped Snelling with those two guys.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Having nothing but unproven, inexperienced receivers around is not gonna be good for Freeman. That’s one of big reasons Tim Couch became a bust with the Browns. He had too many inexperienced people around him.
Add in the awaiting Dotson disaster and then he’s for sure screwed.
Donald, please get on a treadmill and run your ass off for the rest of the summer! I think you deserve a contract NOW, but just do it so you can finally make our HOF GM Dominick happy.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:28 am
The biggest problem to Josh Freeman’s development us going to be the Offensive line! IF Penn is in training camp, And IF you are comfortable with Jeremy Zuttah at Left Guard, you still have huge OLine issues! Don’t believe me? Make yourself a depth chart, and you’ll see our OLine depth is paper thin! One injury, we Are in big trouble! Two? Three? Insurmountable! We proved with Vinny Testaverde, no matter how talented a young QB may be, he can’t develop or accomplish anything while laying on his back. The young recievers will also be a problem, but I think we have enough vets/ coaching ta smooth that out Some. But line problems will greatly affect both the running game AND Freeman
The
June 30th, 2010 at 8:30 am
The only positive about about a O- Line, is that both Rudy Carpenter and Jevan Snead will get some game experience:(