Pressuring Josh Freeman
September 21st, 2012
Now Joe knows the Bucs’ offensive line, in particular the right side of the line, hasn’t been the best this season, even after two weeks.
Thus far, the two incumbent starters are missing. Right guard Davin Joseph is out due to an injury, and right tackle Jeremy Trueblood is out, basically, because backup Demar Dotson has outplayed him.
The thinktank ProFootballFocus.com, via BSPNChicago’s Michael C. Wright, suggests that the Bucs’ offensive line may be turning into a giant turnstile.
@mikecwright: According to Pro Football Focus, Cutler has been under pressure on 44.4% of dropbacks. That’s 2nd-most in NFL (Josh Freeman No. 1 at 44.8)
Of course, Joe doesn’t care about bratty Jay Cutler. But Joe does indeed care about Josh Freeman.
Now Joe learned in high school that people can twist numbers any way they want to prove a point. This is done daily in politics. It’s also why Joe has acid reflux the way baseball has been hijacked by the unadulterated gibberish of the spreadsheeters. Why, there are actually sober minds who will try to convince you that Karlos Pena is a productive hitter, if you can imagine.
Joe’s getting at a few things: Is it really the offensive line’s fault that Freeman is under so much heat when dropping back to pass, or is Freeman holding onto the ball too long?
Or, could it be that the Panthers and Giants were playing damned good pass defense, thus, forcing Freeman to hold onto the ball longer than most quarterbacks in order for a receiver to get open?
Either way, this issue bears watching over the coming weeks.
September 21st, 2012 at 3:13 pm
this stat is complete nonsense. How about Carolina? Newton was under siege in Week 1 and again last night. I didnt even feel like Freeman was under much pressure at all last week. Cutler was sacked before he finished his drop against GB. Ridiculous.
September 21st, 2012 at 3:23 pm
What’s the status of Biggers and Gaitor ? Off subject.
September 21st, 2012 at 3:28 pm
A pressure is defined by a subjective party and has a lot of room for opinion. “Spreadsheeters” in baseball for the most part use black and white statistics: hits, walks, runs, etc… not even close to the same as what this individual is claiming.
September 21st, 2012 at 3:29 pm
I can believe that stat. We just look at the times when Freeman looks like he is holding the ball too long. But we ignore the times when Freeman quickly completes a pass when the pressure is almost right up on his face, such as the TD to Jackson in 1st qtr.
Also in both the games, one of the reasons our offense has been stagnant is the O-line allowing the pressure to get to the QB. This happened especially in the Carolina game when Charles Johnson started getting the better of Trueblood.
September 21st, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Kryq:
Full, limited participation, respectively, yesterday in practice. Of course, no one knows if they will be on the active roster until roughly 90 minutes prior to kickoff Sunday.
September 21st, 2012 at 3:32 pm
The line has actually done well in pass blocking for those who actually watch the games and don’t rely on subjective stats. And yes, Freeman has held the ball too long because his primary and secondary reads failed to get open fast enough. I believe this is one of the main reasons the Bucs added Underwood, Shipley and Owusu. Our backup WRs were just too damn slow and these three new guys have one important thing in common: SPEED.
September 21st, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Freeman needs to play BIG TIME.
You know, fill this shoes of the 1st round pick that we traded up for.
I love his size, arm, and physical abilities. I just question his ability to deliver under pressure.
I want to see Freeman go no huddle, and play all 60 minutes executed like it is the 4th Quarter.
I am not sure what to think? Is it the play calling? Is Josh Freeman a good NFL QB? Were Josh’s college stats patted because he was throwing to Jordy Nelson?
We will likely find out this year. I believe Freeman is the question on O just as much as GMC is the question on D.
So far, GMC has played like a BEAST. Josh has been so-so.
Josh Freeman wake up!
September 21st, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Get out of the gun range, go throw some balls!
September 21st, 2012 at 3:52 pm
No more Soccer dances when you rush for a TD either. This is AMERICA’s game.
September 21st, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@joe
Best part about the article karlos Pena, strike out Pena. Coming from a Yankees fan (cue the harassment) I think the what the rays are consistently doing yearly is remarkable in the pay for play baseball era we live in. I think we can all be happy about Boston this year, nice work with bobby v I think he lost his locker room more than Raheem lost the buc last year (and there’s my bucs reference).
I really think we can beat the cowgirls Sunday. Go Bucs!!! B
September 21st, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Probably why we’ve had the big receiver turn over…..need to get sepration
September 21st, 2012 at 8:53 pm
“So far, GMC has played like a BEAST. Josh has been so-so.”
If Freeman performed equal to GMC (2 tackles, 1 scab sack), Orlavsky would be starting the Cowgirl’s game.
I believe that the opponents aren’t respecting the play action. Peanut 1.0 (Martin) does not strike fear into the defense’s hearts. He’s easily tackled by a glancing fore arm blow by the DL. Most teams will start running nickle defenses against the Buc’s anemic running game and watching Josh’s dark telegraphing eyes.
Some one get the man a shaded visor!
September 21st, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Get him a spot on the bench next to Blount!!!