Josh Freeman Talks About His ‘Fro, Bucs
June 11th, 2010
Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman called in for a visit with the Hebrew-sounding “King David Show,” co-hosted by Shaun King and Toby David on WQYK-AM 1010 today.
Among the topics discussed, Freeman talked about his locks, which he trimmed. Ladies should not fret though, so Freeman said.
Shaun King: How has the offseason gone now that you have been in the same system with Greg Olson? So you see any progress?
Josh Freeman: I am thrilled with the progress. One thing I am excited about is the attention and the attendance of the receivers. We have Reggie Brown and Mark Bradley and the rookies. We have had 100 percent attendance from the receiver group.
King: Tell us about Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams.
Freeman: They are both mature guys. I texted them right after the draft and said, “Let’s get to work.” They said they did, but talk is cheap. But as soon as they got here, they wanted to learn as much as they could and figure this out. Maybe it’s expected from a rookie wide receiver to want to learn a new offense but they have shown some real promising flashes in OTAs.
King: Physically, who do Benn and Williams remind you of?
Freeman: Mike is tall with really good speed. I never realized how fast he was. Mike, with his build, is a cross between Chad Johnson and Calvin Johnson.
Arrelious? He is a tough one to figure out. I can’t think of any body type of receivers built like him. He is built like Eddie George but with speed. He’s a crisp route-runner with good hands. He’s short but Mike is really built. I haven’t seen anyone jam him at the line. He’s a tough one. Kind of hard to think of someone with his body type. He’s a physical freak.
Toby David: How important has it been for you to be working with the first team and building a rapport all offseason?
Freeman: It’s definitely important but what we have to do is figure out is who is our first team players going to be from a wide receiver standpoint. There’s a lot of guys making plays. I can’t single anyone out. The offseason work is paying off. It’s not just rookies but free agents who have been making plays, guys that weren’t drafted. They’ve been making plays as well. I am getting reps with everyone. I feel comfortable with everyone right now.
It’s important to work with the offensive line and make protection calls and get into a rhythm for when the real bullets are flying.
King: What did you identify you had to get better with?
Freeman: Two different areas: First, interceptions. But at the same time I have to couple that with being greedy. When I say greedy from a quarterback standpoint, you want to take the shot and have the pretty touchdown. But seven points is seven points regardless of how you get it. Whether it’s a 10-play drive or a two-play drive, seven points is seven points. You have to be a bit more conservative and in the long run, more efficient with your completion percentage.
King: How has working with Alex Van Pelt gone and how are you mastering the Greg Olson system?
Freeman: The addition of Alex has been awesome. Last year Olson doubled as quarterback coach and offensive coordinator and there was not a whole lot of personal work. With Alex, his only priority is working with quarterbacks.
As far as Greg Olson’s system, I’m constantly changing and working. I am like a new player. It all comes down to protection, reading coverage and throwing the ball to the correct player. But protection has a degree of difficulty and I am working on that.
I am way ahead of last year in learning about protection but it’s still a work in progress. My goal is to become like Drew Brees or Peyton Manning. Those guys have complete control of their protection. Once you do that, it’s a seven-on-seven game and once that happens, I like my odds.
David: Describe the offense you are running. Is it a stretch the defense or is it conservative? Or is it a mix?
Freeman: It’s a little bit of both. Coach Olson has a very diverse offense. There are a number of plays to stretch the field and other plays which are basically substitutes for runs. There are slant or a hitch to get you five yards to start off a drive. But we have combo plays. They are short plays but with certain coverage they could be big plays and take it down the field. I have to understand when those looks are clear as day and to throw it deep rather than check it down. I have to know when there are shots to be taken.
King: I have girls who I am friends with and they don’t like your new head of hair. Why cut it?
Freeman: When you are running around out on the field and its 95 degrees and humid, it’s not cool. I trimmed it but it will come back. It will be back. There’s only one woman who I value her opinion on my hair and that is my mother and she likes it long.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Reggie Brown, Mark Bradely and the rookies.
Left someone out didn’t he?
And, benn ain’t fast………………uh oh
June 11th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I like how he said Mike Williams is tall and Rejus is short… they’re both listed at 6’1
June 11th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Interesting what stand out for you guys. This is what stood out for me:
“Once you do that, it’s a seven-on-seven game and once that happens, I like my odds.”
Great attitude and confidence
June 11th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Jimbuc, couldn’t agree more.
I like his confidence and his focus.
June 11th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Freeman’s not the only one w/ some confidence in this year’s squad…
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d818768f4&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
June 11th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
If Thomas sees that his head with explode
June 11th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
JimBuc, With all your head exploding, Scanners must be your favorite movie!?
June 11th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
sorry – exploding”s”
June 11th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
How can you not love this guy ?? I want him to take the league by storm. Go Bucs, but more than anything I want his kid to succeed.!!!
June 11th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
opps “this”
June 11th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Geat movie oar, great movie
June 11th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Man, my typing sucks. Great
June 11th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
JimBuc, Yuo’re not the olny crappy typer, lol.
And yes that was a damn good movie! “My art…keeps me sane.”
June 11th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
I think he should grow that shit out like Troy Polamalu.
June 11th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Help me out.
When asked about Arrelious, Freeman says positive things but also says Mike (Mike Williams) is really built. The rest of the commentary then talks about no one jamming him at the line…..He’s a physical freak, etc. Is he talking about Williams or Benn?
June 11th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I can’t believe how excited you gys get over a lot of PC quotes. Freeman didn’t mention his most potent weapon, Clayton! Why do you think that is?
June 11th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Hey Joe, it’s nice to read about softball interviews here on JBF but when are YOU gonna get a exclusive with Freeman and ask some TOUGH questions?
June 11th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
roberts:
Freeman was talking about Benn being a freak of nature.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
I was waiting for Jimbuc and those of his ilk to comment about how shaving the fro indictaes greatness, maturity etc. I was close you take the comment about “his goal is” to be able to identify coverages/protections to make the game 7 on 7 as indicative of some positive quality.
First, if you have ever played football (probably not since most women havent) every qb feels confident b/c there is no pass rush, also every qb looks good in 7 on 7.
Second, I am not anti-Freeman. Out of this whole debacle – he may be the one jewel. Yes, I thought that he would be terrible b/c of my familiarity with him at K state but he outplayed my expectations last year – even though he was not very good – for a rook he wasnt awful.
I want freeman to be great, and think better than 50% that he will be good. Also, I was a big Mike Williams advocate and expect him to be very good, my prediction is that Benn will be a dexter jackson bust.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Damm,two positive comments from Thomas.Hell’s about to freeze over.
June 12th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Travis Bickel (aka Thomas), hillarious that you absolutely missed the point, again. The part of his quote I was commenting on was not the 7 v 7 bit, but rather him saying “I like my chances.” You are very amusing Travis.
June 12th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Benn is a Dexter Jackson type bust? You have determined this before he has even practiced with pads, much less played a game? It must be awesome to have such a great outlook in life.
Reality is, comments like this make you look like a whiny arshole.