Josh Freeman = Drew Brees
January 1st, 2011
One guy has a Super Bowl ring.
The other guy has a grand total of two wins over teams with a winning record.
One guy will be leading his team in the playoffs (again).
The other guy, short of Joe waking up next to Rachel Watson, will be watching the playoffs like the rest of us on TV.
Yet if one is to look at statistics (settle down you baseball stat geeks), one would or could suggest Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman is a better quarterback than New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.
That’s the point that video star Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune is trying to make.
In addition, Freeman’s passer rating is 93.6 compared to Brees at 92.2. Freeman’s passer rating also is higher than Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning (91.4), who has 17 interceptions and 31 touchdowns this season.
“It’s just a constant awareness of ball security and also just having a whole offseason to get the majority of the reps to get used to the system,” Freeman said. “Every year I try to improve, and from Year One to Year Two I feel like I’ve made pretty good strides. I feel like I can continue to get better.
“There are still some interceptions, ones you wish you could have back, because you really shouldn’t have thrown it. If I can find a way to go out and correct that in the future, I feel like I can be pretty good.”
Richardson also cobbles together other numbers to make one feel that Freeman is a better quarterback than Brees, at least this year.
While Joe won’t argue with the premises, Joe bases his beliefs based on two relevant football issues:
Who is wearing jewelry?
Who is playing games past New Year’s weekend?
January 1st, 2011 at 2:03 pm
and who has a better teama round him….
also who has been together as a unit longer….
also who is more experienced..
January 1st, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Let me know when Freeman throws 5000+ yards (Brees) or 45+ TDs (Manning) in a season. Until he shows he can carry the offense every game all season, he’s not on the same level as those guys.
January 1st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Football is a team game. Teams win games, not individuals. So why, then, is there a constant need to validate a player’s quality with playoff wins? Individuals can’t win games by themselves.
January 1st, 2011 at 4:07 pm
While what you are saying is true, Sanders, some players can have a huge impact. Look at what happened to the Cardinals offense when Kurt Warner retired.
January 1st, 2011 at 4:15 pm
A lot more people left that football team than Kurt Warner.
But yes, single players can have big impacts. But to hold it against someone that he never won a Super Bowl is ridiculous. For most players winning a Super Bowl is a consequence of being on the right team, not being a great player.
January 1st, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Give Freeman the years they have had in this league not to mention the talent around them and I’m sure you’ll *hit your pants at the stats you’ll have. As far as carrying the team? No one is carrying the team better than Freeman.
January 1st, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Maybe this year Greg Olson can see if Brees can train under Freeman, since it seemed to work for Freeman last yeal lol
January 1st, 2011 at 6:34 pm
FREEMAN > BREES
January 1st, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Sander good point, ask Jim Kelly.
January 1st, 2011 at 9:26 pm
If I were looking to build a team from scratch that could endure a decade, Freeman would be my first choice, over everyone in the league. If you cannot understand how good he is, maybe you should comment about some other sport like, kick the can.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:51 am
I do not think CharlieB is cracking on Free, he is saying he does n ot have the time in the game and the experience to be in the same group. I think Freeman is getting there, or may already be there. Charlie is just saying it is still early to say he is great. I actually think the kid is great.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:52 am
Sanber could also point to Dan Marino, no rings but no one would say he was not a great QB.