“I Feel The Best I’ve Ever Been As A Player”
October 14th, 2012
You might not know it by looking at Josh Freeman on the football field, but listen to Freeman talk, on radio or via newspaper quotes, and the guy is brimming with confidence.
“I feel the best I’ve ever been as a player,” Freeman told his hometown Kansas Star this past week.
In the story penned by Tod Palmer, Freeman went on to say numbers and “fantasy football mumbo jumbo” are not factors in his development. It was a point Freeman also made with Steve Duemig on the Buccaneers Radio Network on Thursday. Essentially, Freeman feels that his dropoff in performance from 2010 does not mean he was a better quarterback that season.
Joe gets that mindset but it’s not a meaningful reality in the NFL, where you’re in the ultimate results business.
Regardless, Freeman has done good things this season, enough to build on and stay confident. Consistency is his biggest issue, something he needs to fix immediately so the Bucs can rack up some Ws and soothe a beaten down fan base.
October 14th, 2012 at 8:37 am
Josh needs to step the hell up.
He may know some stuff to say for interview purposes, but he needs to show some skill out there on the field.
It’s now or never for Freeman.
Side note, Josh, if you rush for a TD, then please do a better dance then the soccer one you did last year (lame as hell).
Freeman, you were twice the QB in 2010 that you are now.
October 14th, 2012 at 9:10 am
In a sense, Josh is hoist on his own petard;fantasy numbers may be mumbo-jumbo, but what counts is W’s.
A lot of ball left in 2012, to be sure.
October 14th, 2012 at 9:21 am
The difference?
Blount was getting the ball and Caddy was helping him on blitzes and 3rd down.
Maybe he is a better QB now, but we had a better backfield when Blount played all first and second downs and Caddy came in on 3rd.
It worked. We went 10-6.
And Josh was great in the hurry-up offense. Perhaps thats what we need again.
October 14th, 2012 at 9:22 am
I have to agree with Freeman that his play is plenty good. The problem is that the way the games are called, Freeman has to play perfectly for the offense to execute effectively. Since no human, no matter their skill level is able to do this, it makes it appear as though Freeman cannot get it done.
With play calling that forces drives into known passing situations, it is hard for any quarterback to pass effectively. NFL defenses are too ready, and can create a giant headache for the QB, O-line, and WRs, when they can pay scant attention to a run.
For Freeman to show how much improved he probably really is, they will have to give him better opportunities.
This is exactly the same type of thing that made LeGarrette Blount look like a second-string running back last season, despite him obviously being much more than that.
Conversely, the play calling for Peyton Manning in Indy, made him far better than he should be. You knew he was going to throw it, but you never knew where.
As the Buc’s offense develops more targets to use consistently, the pass will be much harder to defend, and Freeman will appear to be a much better QB. Fun things, I am looking forward to the rest of the season. Remember, it is only Week 6 with a brand new coaching staff, with only Mike Williams as the remaining starting offensive target from 2011.
October 14th, 2012 at 9:44 am
I dont mind anything that he stated but the stats are not mumbo jumbo. Stats are quantitive results of his performance and they reflect that he is/has been a inconsistent qb. No one has ever denied he has potential but he off the radar due to his own qb issues.
I agree there is a lot of football remaining but after four week i have seen the same thing i have seen for four years. Untimley mistakes, mental breakdowns, deer effect, and a bunch of talk.
Put up or shet up time. Give Brees at 5’11” these weapons and he would murder people. Colston is not better than Vjax and Henderson is not better than Mike W. Whats the problem? Freeman and the Junior Varsity playcalling. Brace for more blackouts until this teams proves theyre to be taken serious.
October 14th, 2012 at 9:53 am
Josh needs to shut up and pass the ball better, he is horrible if not we will have high number 1 draft pick . ( qb) next spring.
October 14th, 2012 at 10:20 am
Fire sale him and Taib!!!
October 14th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Josh will be unseated by Geno Smith if he keeps “impressing” at this rate.
You would think as a fourth year starter, our QB play would be much better.
October 14th, 2012 at 11:19 am
Umm how about Freeman be given the opportunity to showcase himself? During his entire time here he’s either had poor play around him or, particularly this season, poor play calling.
Any of you who think we’ll draft Geno Smith or any other QB in the 1st or 2nd is a joke. This team has far too many other needs. Spewing crap like that, you’re either clueless or do not have this team’s best wishes in mind. You’re probably sitting at home today and not watching the game, making draft requests based on stats.
I know there’s been a few young QBs to be successful in recent memory but everyone wants to forget that most QBs don’t come into their own until their late 20s. Changing coordinators and philosophy doesn’t help. This win now attitude stinks when no matter how good Josh is or will be, he isn’t Tom Brady.
Trent Dilfer got the same treatment here (worse if I recall) yet won the Super Bowl as soon as he was jettisoned. Don’t give me the great defense retort, he is a champion regardless of circumstance. He was playing well here in 99 and we would’ve beaten the Rams to go to the Super Bowl or at least scored a touchdown that eluded our savior Shaun King and Bert Emanuel.
Sorry for the tangent. What I’m trying to say is that we drafted a champion in ’09 and I think its flat out ignorant for people to give up on him in ’12.
October 14th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@espo
Spot on! Don’t forget Steve Young and Doug Williams who were also let go by the Bucs for one reason or another, and went on to win Super Bowls. I can see Freeman doing the same thing.
October 14th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@espo…well said ! agreed ..
October 14th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Don’t worry I will not forget them.. although I was probably a lapse in judgement or lack of contraceptive back in those days.