Spin In Full Force On Freeman Picks
July 12th, 2010
Uber St. Pete Times columnist Gary Shelton invested a lot of Web real estate over the weekend telling Bucs fans not to worry about Josh Freeman’s 18 interceptions in nine starts last season.
Shelton studied “broadcast” game film and a pile of numbers to reach his conclusions. Joe has no problem with Shelton’s theories, although Shelton judging Bucs receivers and their routes from TV broadcast video is darn near impossible and almost unfair.
Historically, that shouldn’t surprise anyone. As a rookie on a 3-13 team, Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions in 16 starts. In ’89, Troy Aikman threw 18 interceptions in 11 starts for a 1-15 Dallas team. In ’87 and ’88, the Bucs’ Vinny Testaverde threw 41 picks in his first 19 starts.
It’s a tough position to play, and it’s harder when a team expects to be carried. For instance, the Bucs had the 23rd best running attack in the NFL last season. Given that, how many interceptions would you think a rookie would throw in nine games? Ten? Twelve? Eighteen?
Better question: How many should a second-year player throw?
Answer: A heck of lot less than two a game.
Stay tuned.
Joe also thinks Freeman should be improve in his second season. He’s clearly talented, obviously dedicated, and will benefit from stability at the coordinator ranks and a full season as the No. 1 guy.
However, Joe has a knot in his stomach over this Bucs receiving corps. The Bucs are expecting a lot from two rookies, a hard-working Sammie Stroughter and a group of underachievers. And there’s no beast in the backfield to open things up.
July 12th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
“underachievers”
A/K/A pathetic loser retreads
“Stability in Coordinators”
A/K/A Guys nobody ever heard of, and nobody else in the league would hire, working for the second year in a row with our franchise QB. (except for the guy behind Buffalo’s vaunted passing attack).
July 12th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Can’t wait for the season. Tired of debating about the Bucs….. this time of summer stinks in regards to football talk.
July 12th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Eric,
I think you’re mostly right on the ‘underachiever’ side, but you have to admit that stability at the coordinator spot is positive. Let’ see how Freeman does befor we tear the offense a new one. And obviously Rah’s defense will work better than Bates’s.
I’m just saying.
July 12th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Ill concede in most instances continuity is preferred. Whether this is an exception remains to be seen.
July 12th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Joe…somewhat unrelated.
Do you think the Bucs make a bid on Unga?
July 12th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Steve… Joe invents news at times yet he won’t do an article about the sup draft?
Anyway, I would like to go after the big HB, make him a FB and the NT… maybe put in a 5th and a 6th…
July 12th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
We need to try and pick up a defensive end in the supplemental draft……if there’s any good ones.
Bobby McCray is out there, and he’d be a good option too. He’s only 28 and has had a very solid career.
Unga sounds interesting, but I just don’t see why RB is a pressing need. Cadillac is good and Earnest Graham is very good back currently going to waste by Raheem.
July 12th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
don’t you “journalists “ever take vacations…
it’s OK not to talk football everyday….
July 12th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Hey, just a side note here. Apparently there are some details about Vincent’s contract on ProFootballTalk.com. It will probably get some people saying “Glazers are cheap” and other saying “He’s not even worth that” and other saying “Heck of a deal to bring in depth”.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/12/keydrick-vincent-deal-not-nearly-as-good-as-advertised/