Fixing Josh Freeman’s Fundamentals
June 16th, 2012
There are, of course, pros and cons to the Bucs changing the coaching staff after ending last season on a grotesque 10-game losing streak.
The con is that for this year with Mike Sullivan, Freeman has this third offensive coordinator in four seasons. This is not good for a young quarterback, just ask Jason Campbell and Alex Smith.
But the pros to this move, aside from the obvious, are that different sets of eyes will be working with Freeman, trying to fix whatever ailed him in his 22-interception season in 2011.
Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan and quarterback Ron Turner (Ron Turner?) have jumped in the pool head-first to try to right Freeman, so reports the Associated Press.
”At times, perhaps Josh may have been trying to do a little bit too much. I think he’s a very competitive young man,” Sullivan said. ”He’s a very talented player, and coach Turner’s done a phenomenal job with him this spring honing in on some specific fundamentals and some of his mechanics.
”We’ve talked about decision-making and the importance of it within our scheme. … The bottom line is we can’t score if we don’t have the football,” Sullivan said. ”I know that’s an over simplification, but more games are lost than are won because people are giving away opportunities.”
Bucs fans will hear a lot about “decision-making” in the coming weeks. Consider that phrase code for “not forcing a ball to a narcissistic me-first tight end who is always demanding the ball despite three defenders draped all over his back.”
That option has been eliminated.
June 16th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
There is absolutely NO con to RahRah and company being sent packing.
None, zero, zip, nada.
Every Buc and fan will be much better off.
June 16th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Focusing on the running game with addition of Martin and Nicks along with the explosiveness of a WO group that includes V Jackson will make Josh feel more comfortable, give him more time in the pocket and allow him to be the best he can be.
That’s the new regime’s plan and I’m all for it.
June 16th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
You can’t really say Mike Sulivan is the 3rd offensive coordinator for Freeman in 4 years, because Jagodzinski was fired prior to start of the regular season in Freeman’s rookie year. Also, Freeman wasn’t even the starter at the time, nor was he even the backup. The only offensive coordinator Freeman has had is Greg Olsen prior to Mike Sulivan, thus making Sulivan Freeman’s second OC in 4 years.
June 16th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
This season pretty much decides whether #5 is a Buccaneer long term or not…..and if he’s gonna make Mega Money or Very Good Money in the next contract. It’s gonna be very interesting watching him this year (and with the Coaches Tape now available we can breakdown who is at fault on any play offense or defense)
June 16th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
“Consider that phrase code for “not forcing a ball to a narcissistic me-first tight end who is always demanding the ball despite three receivers draped all over his back.”
As much as I like Freeman, BUCS fans have got to stop making up excuses for this cat. It’s funny how when Raheem Morris said “It’s all about #5..” and “..he’s the Franchise quarterback..” so many agreed. And those same people still use those same quotes and monikers and treat them as Truths. How can that be when Morris was seemingly, supposedly wrong in everything else he did here in Tampa?
Freeman’s bad decision making was HIS decision making. PERIOD. He missed open players…he threw the ball late…he forced passes to player(s) when there was no window..HE made bad throws/decisions. How many times did Winslow act out when there was a touchdown thrown to another player? I think Freeman’s better than what he showed last year. That still does not make him a Franchise QB yet. I hope that’s what his career takes him. In a BUCS uniform, of course. But WE have to hold this young cat ACCOUNTABLE. It’s part of the new buzzword/moniker thing WE have going along with TRUTH and BELIEF…and don’t forget BELL COW.
June 16th, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Right on Joe, loved the K2 mention.
June 16th, 2012 at 7:48 pm
OT: Would anyone be open to cutting ties with Freeman and GMC, of they have terrible seasons, and sign Brees?
June 16th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
I’ve never seen a receiver cover a TE….let alone 3 of them.
June 16th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
It’s a New Day in Tampa Bay! GO BUCS!!!
June 16th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
BTW Joe… awesome articles on the Mental Midget K2.
June 16th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
@Big Marlon
LMAO!!!
June 17th, 2012 at 12:15 am
Just read a K2 interview in Seattle where he compares himself to some of the great tight ends in the league today and how he’s better than them when he compares what he brings to the position and game day.
I have to agree with his assessment of himself. He’s definitely the better mental midget of the group. He’s clearly better at running into his own players when running the imperfect route. What an A$$!!! Some sub human beings were put on this earth to despise and K2 is just another despicable turd.
When I wipe my A$$ and look at the Charmin, K2 comes to mind.
June 17th, 2012 at 2:06 am
this is his #2 offensive coordinator ..Jagodzinski..lol really..no wonder you stay a blog..tmz of the bucs here
June 17th, 2012 at 2:33 am
his first off season was with Jagodzinski, and the most important part of a QB’s development is in off season and training camp. so yes, 3 is the correct number…
before jumping to abrasive crass and ill-informed statements maybe you should consider that the poster just might have a reason for posting what was posted. second dumb thing I’ve seen you say in 48 hours. b.u.c.s.19999
Also, you type as if this is a text message. You are aware you are expressing an idea that will be read by more than your high school friends, correct? Because you sure don’t convey that you have that understanding. Nor do you seem to have a grasp on the great undertaking that is the creation and upkeep of this site, if so you would be less likely to be so disrespectful.
I don’t always point out idiocy when I see it, but when i do, its when its illogically wrathful and disrespectful, all the while espousing an ill-informed stance on an issue.
June 17th, 2012 at 4:14 am
@Stevek – i doubt saints will ever lets Brees go, and them will minimum slap him with a franchise tag next year again, in order to be able to trade him. That said i think that saints sign him to a huge deal to make their fans happy and sometime in the first 4 games, Brees will get a season (possibly career) ending injury
June 17th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
To those saying that Freeman will be on his second OC this year: HE prepped all preseason of his first year for Jagz’ offense. Then he switched to Olsen. The first year, he had to learn one offense, that slowly changed into another. He has only had one offseason of any consistency once in his career and he blew up that year (2010).
June 18th, 2012 at 12:56 am
Seriously, he practiced with the 3rd string while McCown and Lefty got all the 1st string reps and JJ was the designated “backup”. He may have had to learn Jagz offense, but he wasn’t getting big-time reps until after Jagz was gone and Lefty failed. Then it was “rush to learn Olsen’s system”. Basically a waste of his first off-season, and last year was a waste as well. So, he may have gotten one true off-season until this year. Besides, Barber says no coach he’s played for has taught fundamentals like Schiano’s group. That means NO player was getting practice on fundamentals since before Dungy. That’s right, Gruden obviously never taught players anything either, he just pulled in older vets that didn’t need it as much.
Freeman needs work on fundamentals like footwork, and reads/progressions, etc. just like defensive players need to repeatedly work the most basic of fundamentals…. tackling. Sometimes pure athleticism can make up for some “lack” of fundamentals work, but it will catch up at some point. With colleges limited in practice time with players, there are very few fundamentals being taught there anymore. The pros are “supposed to know them”, so they don’t work on them there either. If you didn’t get fundamentals in high-school or before, you’re out of luck getting a coach to work with you and must rely on your athletic ability. I’m glad to see Schiano changing that here.