“As Good As I’ve Ever Been”
December 17th, 2012
Josh Freeman says his mechanics are not an issue
Josh Freeman disagreed with an assessment that his mechanics aren’t what they were a month ago, during a chat with media following the brutal beat down in New Orleans yesterday.
“From a physical-mechanics, throwing-the-ball standpoint, I feel like I’m as good as I’ve ever been,” Freeman said.
Ok, well, Joe can’t argue with how Freeman “feels.” However, Joe would not stomach an earlier comment Freeman made about what he considers the most important element to repairing the Bucs offense.
Asked how critical a factor falling into 3rd-and-long situations has been in this recent offensive freefall, Freeman said, “First and second down, you know, that’s the key to this whole thing.”
Sorry, but Joe can’t accept that for a second.
Freeman threw four interceptions yesterday, and not one had to do with down and distance, and every ball was tossed into the red zone. They came on the following downs, 2nd-and-10, 3rd-and-14, 1st-and-10 and 1st-and-10. Plus, the 3rd-and-14 pick was nowhere near Vincent Jackson and was immediately after Freeman missed Mike Williams in the end zone on second down.
“The key to this whole thing,” to use Freeman’s words, is Freeman himself. He’s simply letting down his team with bad throws, bad decisions and failing in his leadership role when he’s most needed.
Joe’s really not sure what Freeman’s mindset is at this point. He looks shellshocked on the field, and some of his takes to the media reflect that.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:06 am
It appears to me that the team has quit on Freeman, not on Schiano.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:07 am
#5 has been coddled like a baby….it’s time for a REALITY Check boo….. *rolls eyes then flips hair*
December 17th, 2012 at 8:18 am
The Rock Star said its all about #5. Freeman has all the tools and the coaching now. Too many other rookie QB’s are putting Freeman to shame. Its time now to either fix #5 or take a different direction. I like Freeman as a person, but I just don’t see the results that are acceptable. If I performed like that at work, my boss would be looking for a change.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:31 am
I have been a Josh Freeman supporter from day one and I am not using this game solely as a barometer for whether I should continue to support him. It is his whole 4 year body of work that has me concerned whether he is the QB of the future.
Today and last week were terrible performances by Josh, but over his career I have not seen the improvements in the mental parts of his game that should have been well along the way by now. He looks panicked. He throws passes to receivers under duress who have no chance of making a play simply to get the ball out of his hands. He is inaccurate far too often for the receiver to always be at fault. Like Winslow, he makes it appear by his reaction that it is the receiver’s fault and not his. He is gangly and not poised with his movements in and around the pocket. He throws Hail Mary passes that essentially become jump balls anywhere on the field.
These are not things that are caused by a scheme change. This is cerebral development as you acquire knowledge of the game. My conclusion – He has all the physical skills to play the game, but can’t put them all together when making decisions for it to become second nature as he gains more experience. In other words this is as good as he will ever be.
I am not calling for his replacement now, but my commitment and resolve is weakened when I see 5’ 11’’ 3rd pick Russell Wilson put up 50+ back to back. Bucs management should decide sooner rather than later what his value is to the team long-term and start to make plans now if in the future they decide to go another way. The 2013 Draft is not deep with franchise potential or any that could be considered a sure thing. I am simply convinced of one thing – more time is not going to give us a different Josh Freeman!
December 17th, 2012 at 8:34 am
In last week’s Redskins game , after RG III got hurt . the backup QB came off the bench and passed . Against philly , Schiano ran the ball rather than let Josh try that on 3rd and 8 . Just saying …
December 17th, 2012 at 8:35 am
Big Freeman fan here have been since his first game. But the tape doesn’t lie Josh these last 4 games you have not looked like the same QB as you did during the offensive explosion the Bucs had in mid season.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:43 am
Freeman needs a much better QB coach. Ron Turner just hasn’t seemed to be coaching up his young pupil. His movement in the pocket is anywhere from non-existent to pitiful. In the face of pressure, Freeman goes through his progressions standing completely upright in the pocket, arm cocked, feet stone still. Other QBs, better QBs, slide in the pocket left or right, step up in the pocket, the whole time keeping their feet under then in an athletic stance, not straight-kneed and completely upright like Freeman. Freeman needs to be coached to utilize his physical tools, move more within the pocket and when he does run, which he doesn’t do enough, he needs to run with his eyes still upfield.
As for the INTs… I can count three that fall squarely on Dallas Clark’s shoulders since the Carolina game. When Clark has to wait on the ball or it is a little off target, Clark has done little to nothing to bail his QB out. Freeman has plenty of fault here, but between his poor mobility in the pocket and his number one TE’s inability to come back for the ball or make a play on the ball, two of the biggest culprits for his poor play are easily identified.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:49 am
Blame coaching again maybe the guy is just SCARED and has no contidence he doesnt like contact
December 17th, 2012 at 9:00 am
I like Freeman, but we need to get a QB to help Freeman or to give him competition. I feel like there’s never been no one behind him to make him feel like he could lose his job. Man I bet Schiano was pissed yesterday after that game. The positive thing to look at is were moving higher up in the draft. I definitly see us using the Franchise tag on Freeman for a year or 2 to see what QB’s come out in 2014/2015 and to give the GM/Coach an idea if they really want to commit to this guy. It’s hard not knowing which Freeman were going to get. Too much money and talent on that offense to be waste because our QB can’t play well. Josh Has been good and bad this year and the bad is starting to take over.
December 17th, 2012 at 9:14 am
He was never really good this year.. He was decent in a few games but never played a full game.
December 17th, 2012 at 9:16 am
OK.
Josh’s mechanics were off yesterday. He was soft-wristing the ball.
Josh needs to start to throw the ball as much as TOM BRADY does.
Josh is still just 24. He can still DEVELOP and improve his arm strength and accuracy. He just needs more reps and millions of reps like Tom Brady.
Also, he definitely needs to STOP coming off the field MAD at his teammates. NOT COOL. Josh needs to man up and humble down.
No doubt. He is too coddled like Mark Sanchez.
But I love Josh and I’m sticking with him.
Good to see Blount last night. Miss you bro!!!
December 17th, 2012 at 9:22 am
We could trade for Tebow……. Just kidding. LOL
December 17th, 2012 at 9:22 am
Josh=Dilfer
December 17th, 2012 at 9:41 am
I hope will never play another down for my team! Us Bucs fans don’t deserve this from him. The QB revolving door us is KILLINGS us! Why cant we have a Ryan, Brees, Brady, RG3, Luck, Manning, Wilson, Rodgers, Big Ben,Newton or even Tebow (hey we are desperate for wins) for a QB. We want a QB we can believe in not bum who is inaccurate, slow, has well below porous mechanics, doesn’t put hard work into perfecting his craft and stays out all night partying taking pictures with whores!
Again this dude is TRASH! Nuff said!
December 17th, 2012 at 9:43 am
Freeman sucks when he gets rattled. When he thinks the game is on HIS shoulders he is horrible. I don’t understand this after 2010 when he came back in so many games. But the 2011 interception season was obviously mentally tough on him. Those floating bombs are horrible. Earlier in the year I would call out “interception” to no one in particular every time he threw one. And what was weird is that they hardly ever were intercepted. Now, when he throws one of those floaters I have faith in him… and he is being intercepted. The coaching has fallen apart. His sense of the game has taken a nose dive. His physical mechanics may be fine, but his mental mechanics are in serious doubt right now.
December 17th, 2012 at 9:46 am
Well said Macabee, agree totally. While the physical tools are there, it’s Freeman’s mental makeup that has me most concerned about his future development. Still seems like a nervous 19 y.o in his press conferences, not sure how his maturity shows up in the meeting room and on the field though. As far as his picks go, not sure if the one he threw where Jackson was running an up route and Josh threw the post was completely on Josh. With the blitz coming from that side, believe Vincent was supposed to read that and run the post as the hot route.
December 17th, 2012 at 9:54 am
Backup QB material at best next year.
December 17th, 2012 at 10:02 am
All the things Joe just said are true, and somehow Freeman will get an extension this offseason because Dominik wont admit failure by he and Raheem…Its gonna be really hard to get excited for the Bucs if Freeman is here beyond the season. I’d take a 3rd rounder from KC for him at this point
December 17th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Agree Joe, Freeman needs a reality check. We need to hear the truth. Things like there is no excuse for missing a wide open mike williams on that play that was on me. Or I though Jackson was going to break into the seam but he stayed outside and that is on me as well. Or I should have recongnized there was a corner on Clark and not a Linebacker and should have gone a diiferent direction with that play. I am beginning to find the lack of emotion annoying and with all the reports of him working hard, watching film, and getting in shape, we should be seeing substantial growth. Watch now that we are totally out of the playoffs, Freeman will have his best, most efficient, games of the year.
December 17th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Benching him this week would accomplish a few things IMO.
1. You see how Josh reacts. Spoiled school child or take it like a man and support his back up? The Jets did that and they have had a mini turn around.
2. Get to see your back up in action and if the team rallies around him.
3. Stamps Schiano as guy in charge, holding all players accountable, regardless of salary or draft status.
Might be worth a shot.
December 17th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Gosh said “Well uhh, I’m not sure what happened uhh, maybe there was just some type of miscommunication uhh, I guess I missed a few throws uhh, I lost the handle on the snap uhh, we will have to look at the game tape uhh”. Enough already Gosh. He us not the solution at qb with his blindfolded throws. He tosses more grenades than completions. Trade Gosh to KC for their 1st rounder and draft anyone who has a 60 plus completion percentage from a competitive college team. Go Bucs!
December 17th, 2012 at 10:48 am
“Gosh” … great nickname
December 17th, 2012 at 11:08 am
First off I think the Bucs should go after Kirk Couzins. Secondly some food for thought trade Freeman for Sanshez. Change of scenery may help both. Just a thought.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:33 am
The problem with the coaching and QB is that you can’t fix stupid.
Gosh has never been more than mediocre is HS, college or the pros.
Schiano had a mediocre record at Rutgers and only because he scheduled the service academies every year, sometimes twice. When Ray Rice backed out of his commitment with Syracuse, he stayed local and boosted Rutgers record and recruiting for several years.
The Bucs have pursued mediocrity and they have succeeded.
The Little General is befuddled and will lash out at those around him. He purged this team coming in after lying to their faces about clean slates. He’s going to purge again. Step back, it’s going to get ugly.
When Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, they were met with little to no resistance. Stalin had purged all of his generals and commanders.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
look at all these couch QBs talking about the sky falling. yes Josh was horrible yesterday and the last three games but what you guys dont realize is that he is not going anywhere so you might as well root for him rather than against him if you are a true bucs fan or go root for another team. he is still only 24 and as such has reacted like a nervous kid when under pressure in the pocket which causes him to fuk up. when he has time, is in rhythm, and has confidence he is a good QB. this situation requires time and patience that none of you seem willing to give.
December 17th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@ Andrew, ok then how much more time does Freeman need? He has played quite a bit now, and the progression in his skills seem to have stopped. I would like nother better to see Freeman turn this around, but how much longer is it going to take?
December 17th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
24 or not he is going on being a 5 yr vet. He is not a rookie. Coming into the league young doesnt somehow extend your rookie status 4 yrs lol. Yea haha. News flash he’s going to face pressure as a QB that’s NEVER going to change, so that’s a huge problem according to what your saying.
Well Josh, if this is truly the best you’ve ever been that’s pretty scary and kinda speaks for itself as to what we need to do
December 17th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@ SeanyMac
1 more season. no more, no less. Thats also fits the length of his contract so it kinda of works out perfectly for us.
December 17th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
I pray to God He lives up to his full potential next season because it would be a shame to let all that talent go. but at the end of the day, you gotta do what you gotta do for the betterment of the team.
December 17th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@ PR
I know he will will face pressure, but as he matures and grows up as a person it will help him deal with pressure situations. You cant possible tell me that a 24 year old could handle pressure better than a 34 year old. that goes for a walks of life. growing up tends to help with situations like that.
December 17th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@ PR
For example, do you ever notice how a young player tends to get nervous during an interview with the media. Yet you put and an older veteran in that situation and he is more at ease. my point is give him 1 more season, by then even my patience will have run out.
December 17th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
@ andrew
I think we are all routing for Freeman. The problem is RGIII, Luck, and Wilson. All three are leading there teams to the promise land of the playoff. Luck is taking a 1-15 team to th playoffs. Freemanhas had three years to develop and can’t seem to get out park. I will be routing for him to the bitter end. You can bank on it.
December 17th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@ Ctord
you rooting for Freeman is great to here. As for Luck and RG111 the fact is they are rare, Bona fide, cant miss QBs. I guarantee you though with defenses having a full off season to study these 2 QBs, they wont have nearly the same amount of success as they are having this year.
December 17th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I hear ya, I’m just nervous that he has a great year next year gets his contract than the same inconsistency appears again later on. I love when he’s on and I’d like to see him succeed here but is one season enough time to fix the issues he has? If the answer is no than I’m unwilling to sacrifice 3 more years of this teams talent/youth to see that happen.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
I said it once and I will say it again.
Wiki Jason Campbell for a sneak preview of this movie.
I have seen this movie many times like Charlie Brown Christmas. Better make your mind Bucs or more people will lose interest.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
You learn to handle pressure in High School and College. Not wait til you get to the NFL. The he’s only 24 don’t fly either. That’s just another excuse just like the stupid Dallas Clark excuse. Oh I’m under pressure. Everyone stop your route and come back and help me!!!! Why. Because Dave Moore says so. Check his films. Sometimes he speaks before he thinks. Just like his ” that was a go route and he cut the route off”. Really? Under this system, how far is the go route? As far as when he played? Use your eyes and don’t take to heart everything they tell you.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
@teacherman,I hope your not really a teacher mentioning Brady and Freeman in the same breath are you f—-ing joking,hahahaha…LOL,WAKE UP MAN!!!!
December 17th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Lets just keep it simple stupid,GOSH just lacks the IT factor that you must have in this league TO SUCCEED so lets move on,seen enough!!!!
December 18th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Let run Gosh Freeman outta this gosh-damn town lol