Josh Freeman Really Showed Growth
November 11th, 2012
Last season, the season after winning 10 games, Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman was particularly unfranchise-quarterback-like.
Accuracy was not his forte. Forcing balls was his signature, especially to a double- or triple-covered, mouthy tight end.
Freeman quit forcing passes early this season, but the accuracy wasn’t there. Now, after a thrilling 34-24 win over the Chargers, Freeman still isn’t pinpoint accurate, but man he sure knows where his open receivers are.
It sure seems Freeman is quite comfortable with this Mike Sullivan offense. There were times when Freeman had defenders in his face. Instead of panicking, he calmly tossed the ball to an open receiver or Doug Martin.
Freeman seemed to do this effortlessly. As if he already knew a receiver was open, and just where the receiver was supposed to be on a checkdown. In other words, Freeman was very smooth and a cool cucumber today, which in Joe’s eyes shows how he has grown and melded into this new Bucs offense.
Instinctive.
“He was cool today,” Bucs left guard Jeremy Zuttah said. “Under pressure, he went through his progressions and that is all you can ask for from your quarterback. He did his job.”
And so too did the Bucs.
November 11th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
I was very unhappy with Freeman the beginning of this season. I really felt like he was staring down his receivers and lost. I am so happy to see him doing well now. I fully admit I wasn’t patient enough. Obviously these guys are actually getting more comfortable after learning the offense. Nice to see Free stepping up into the pocket and identifying the targets quickly. It seems today like he is getting through his reads quickly and accurately. I am just a novice couch potato watching a pro play. But he sure looks better and I hope he can keep it up against Denver, Atlanta, Philly, Carolina and NO. We aren’t playing top tier secondaries, but it sure looks a heck of a lot better than 4 weeks ago.
November 11th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
So we aren’t putting in Dan O?
November 11th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
He did his job very well…. Free is very accurate on some and others not so much…pretty much like alot of pro QB’s……Glad he is on our team Because he is for real with a gun for a arm…
November 11th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
he played better than rivers today and that says somthing sorrry if i cant spell i have had a few beers today
November 11th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Does anyone else think that eli misses suullivan?
November 11th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
NFL passer rating of 137.5.
November 11th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Over the last five games, is is one of the top rated qb’s in the league. He just needed some time in the new offense. Not sure what happened between the third and fourth quarters of the Redskin game, but whatever it was, it started a whole new offense.
November 11th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
congrats to Josh but lets not forget the O-Line. those guys played well 2 games against tough D-Lines. very happy to be a BUCS fan right now. if we can fix the secondary we WILL be a playoff team! BUC IT IM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 11th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
No Winslow getting in his ear!
November 11th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Freeman is being the QB I knew he could be and he will only get better!!
November 12th, 2012 at 2:57 am
I think people forget just how young Freeman is. He’s the same age as a lot of rookies, like Ryan Tannehill. This guy is doing great, and is only going to get better.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Yeah Free is looking good now because he not getting pressure in his face from the snap. DOWN!! SET!! SACK was getting on my nerve. It’s been terrible from day one with Greg Olsen’s predictable offense. Even I would call the play before it happened. That’s why LGB BARELY got his due credit in the league. Blount got popped behind the line on numerous times last year because of that weak @ss O. Fumbling just trying to move the pile now LGB got a bad rep. Get Blount to the second level he will punish defender. I like the hurdling guys it will save his knees. Blount just forgot to dishout the pain on the end of the run play and hit the whole with a burst. Blount looks nervous to me even on the sideline. NSO spooked this man! LGB has no major injires and fresh legs. Buc fans want him gone when teams feared tackling 27 and they’re teeing off on Douglas..
I love the bucs they’re all i got but if Dougie and Vincent go down(if if was a fif) from injures.! Ooh i hate saying that.. We are the same bucs from last year+ Clark.. And if Josh? We f#&$ed! Dan O heck no..V.Young backup get him Dom so he can learn the offense now.