Josh Freeman Will Remain With Bucs
December 27th, 2012
Bucs fans — and there are thousands of them — who want Josh Freeman jettisoned from the team after melting down the past month rather than leading the Bucs to the playoffs, Joe has unsettling news for you.
Per Bucs beat writer Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, Freeman will be re-signed by the Bucs and will be your Bucs quarterback for the foreseeable future. Cummings explained while appearing with co-hosts Booger McFarland and Mike Pepper Monday on WHFS-FM 98.7.
Booger McFarland: When you look at this team as far as Josh Freeman is concerned, is there a sentiment of support not just in the locker room but from the staff since the staff did not draft Josh Freeman or are there questions starting to creep in about if we have the guy because we all know Coach Schiano is going to be judged by wins and losses and ultimately, that will lie in the hand of Josh Freeman?
Woody Cummings: I don’t think there is any question that this organization is completely 100 percent behind Josh Freeman. It is why — I know it has become a hot topic and is driving the train with talk radio right now, should they trade him, should they sign someone to push him and all that stuff – you know what guys? In a lot of ways, I really think it is almost a conversation that doesn’t have to be had. I don’t think that conversation is being had in this organization in this building. I think that conversation about Josh Freeman in this building is, “What has he done wrong the past couple of weeks that he wasn’t doing five weeks ago, three weeks ago, six weeks ago?” They are trying to figure out what is wrong. Going forward, he is this team’s quarterback. There is no doubt about it. He will not be traded. He will be re-signed at some point. They might be thinking about pushing that to next year or maybe franchising him next year when the contract does expire; they’ve got those options. If anything, Freeman has cost himself the opportunity to sign a nice lucrative contract in the offseason, although that could change too. I promise you the organization at this point is not looking to replace him. They are looking to make him better and I think that is what they should do because, my personal belief is this kid – and I do mean “kid,” he is only 24-years old and I understand he has a good collection of games in the league now and four or five years as a starter, it is about time to figure things out. He also had three offensive coordinators, one of which lasted all of 28 days and that messes with a kid too, and he is playing behind a makeshift offensive line and young players around him without a lot of depth at the wide receiver spot after the first two guys. The tight end situation probably needs to be upgraded a little bit as well. It’s up to the coaches to make things better. He has the ability. I don’t think there is anybody out there who can look at Josh Freeman objectively and say he doesn’t have the work ethic or the talent or the skills or even the smarts to play this game at a high level. To me, the difference is becoming consistent and playing inconsistent. It is up to the coaches to refine those skills. Make sure he comes out every Sunday playing the same way and at a high level. I think it is on the coaches to get that done.
If it has already been decided among the brass at One Buc Palace that Freeman truly is here to stay, let Joe repeat this again: Now is the time to re-sign Josh Freeman. He has zero leverage right now. But of course, why would he buckle and sign now rather than wait a year?
If the Bucs are hellbent on keeping Freeman, make the contract incentive-laden. If various team goals are met (you know, playoffs, fewer interceptions?) Freeman is then awarded a handsome sum in bonuses.
Just remember that the longer Freeman struggles, cash that would have gone to him likely goes to keep Michael Bennett at One Buc Palace.
December 27th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Joe, how good were the Mannings, Brees, Unitas, Jaws, Bradshaw, etc when they were 24? I remember when Jaws played for the LA Rams before he went to the Eagles, they were not winning if I remember correctly.
December 27th, 2012 at 10:17 am
I lost all respect for BOOGER yesterday….he tried to pull the RACE CARD like Shaun King & Ian Schmeckles…smh. Raheem is GONE by his own doing!!!!! Booger did zero to help the Buxs win a SuperBowl…and Tony Dungy threw him a bone in Indianapolis…He was always HURT <———————-
December 27th, 2012 at 10:25 am
To some of the hacks here….”TOLD YOU SO ! “. …so many clueless fans in this town, when you have 3 coordinators in 4 years it affects your consistency big time…
December 27th, 2012 at 10:40 am
Let’s not jump to conclusions based off one interview. Schiano may not share this belief. Freeman could turn out to be a coach killer if he has another bad year. If Schiano can get a legitimate QB next that would be the smartest move outside of rebuilding the defensive secondary. The Bucs are stuck with Freeman. Don’t confuse that with he is a franchise QB.
December 27th, 2012 at 10:43 am
@ Mtm. bucs have a legitimate franchise QB in Freeman, the only people who think different are a few uninformed fans …
December 27th, 2012 at 10:48 am
I heard that diatribe from Booger yesterday afternoon. Pissed me off to no end. He dared to compare this team to last years humiliating 10-losses-in-a-row team, and without actually saying it, implied that Schiano is still entrenched in the head coaching position because he is white.
December 27th, 2012 at 10:52 am
He’s Jason Campbell. He’s Rick Mirer. He’s Kerry Collins.
December 27th, 2012 at 10:53 am
This is expected. No way Dominik can go to the Glazers and say his franchise QB aint one.
December 27th, 2012 at 10:57 am
Thank you for saying what I have been thinking the last month or so, It’s amazing to me how fans and media here in the Tampa Bay area are putting down Josh Freeman and wanting to get rid of him already, the kid is only 24!!! The funny thing is that if the Glazers fullfill the wishes of many Tampa Bay fans and trade Josh, in two or three years they will be the same people complaining because we don’t have a QB and Josh went on to be a stud eating pineapple elseware. If it sounds familiar that’s because the Bucs have done this several times before with steve Young, Vinny Testaverde and Doug Williams just to name a few. This is the kind of problems you run in to when a organization and fans are not patient with a young QB, you become a mediocre team that never achieves anything year after year. Every time a player does’nt perform right away you cant just ship him away he has to be developed under the same system for him to be comftable with it and master it spcially at the QB position. So Glazers please DO NOT allow fans to run the team tha’ts what bad teams do like the Browns and Jags, they already dont go to the games anyway so just stick with Josh and Shiano and in a year or two we will be a contender.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:01 am
And all the Freeman bashing begins.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:05 am
It takes 22 starters on offense and defense for the TEAM to be successful.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:12 am
All you Freeman crotch riders make me laugh. You use any Freeman article that says anything positive as fact that he’s a great QB. Lol, last time I checked woody cummings is nobody. Just another reporter. Everybody wants Josh to do good. Thats not in question. What is in question is whether he will or wont. After 4 years of watching the same crappy football from him, I am of the mind he wont. Has he had a good games? Very few and far between. As I’ve said a million times nobody wants to acknowledge the fact he takes a nap the first half of every game and does just enough the 2nd half to lose respectfully. This is not a franchise QB. Of Course Dom wants Freeman to stay here. His job depends on it. If Freeman comes out next year and stinks it up like usual, Him and Dom are both gone. Thats my opinion.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:15 am
I’ve camled down a little and not ready to send him on his way…his accuracy is awful. And Ive seen himnot take advantage of running the ball when the field opens up for him. Yes, he may be told not to run. So then in that case, the coaching should fix that. But if thats not true, then why didnt he take off.
I’m for seeing what he can do next year, but Im also for drafting or acquiring a QB who can give him some good competition. We need someone to go to if he starts melting down again. Still would like to see us get Glennon (the more film I watch, the more Im liking that kid, especially his decision making under pressure.), but that will cost too much. DB’s and maybe a good slot receiver, then QB or TE. What we really do is going to be fun to watch.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:19 am
@ Raquel
Your right Freeman is the Bucs “franchise” QB. If you equate that to there is nothing better out there at this time. That’s why Freeman will get the franchise tag next year and not offered a long term contract.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:19 am
@ Big Rob
If its true what you said about Boogers show. Then I have lost all respect for him as a talk show host and as a man.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:20 am
@MadMax
Who is Glennon? What team does he play for? I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of him.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Mike Glennon of NC State. Type in his name and the word “highlights” on utube. Impressive QB. Will probably be the 2nd QB selected though.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Joe, I think your spot on. Sign Freeman to a lowered value based contract with plenty of performance incentives. Its a win/win for Freeman and the Bucs. When you look at the available talent in the league or the the draft at the QB position, I don’t see any QB upgrades that make sense for the Bucs. There are much bigger needs for this team than QB.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:29 am
Somebody for got to tell RGIII, Luck, and Wilson that it takes five years to learn the position.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:30 am
http://www.bucsnation.com/2012/12/26/3804250/no-debate-is-josh-freeman-where-he-should-be-in-his-development
Some of you should read this article because ur not looking at the big picture and this backs up with hard facts and not opinion as some of you use
December 27th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@ miss Mtm. …Freeman will get a long term deal….and deservedly so…
The guy already has a half dozen franchise records at the age of 24…some of you are just retarded…
December 27th, 2012 at 11:38 am
I read there a lot William, my 2nd fav site after Joe’s. Reading that yesterday is kind of what has motivated me to think more about Freeman and lets see how he does with one more year. After that, and no improvement, I just dont know what else to do than replace him. Thats why I’d still like to see us get another QB, just in case.
@Eric, I heard that.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:39 am
He’s 25 in a couple of weeks, does that mean he’s a big boy. You sheep are ridiculous. Freeman is weak mentally. That doesn’t get fixed.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:42 am
@William
Thats a very good article. Only thing about that article I dislike is the fact that once again it left off Freemans most glaring flaw. His inability to play 4 quarters of good football. Sure if we had better defense we would win more games. Nobody can dispute that. But what most fail to realize is that IF we had solid QB play for all 4 quarters instead of just the last 1 or 2 we would also of won more games. Everybody wants to leave that fact out as if it is meaningless and josh is perfect. Lol, and thats the farthest from the truth. That is my biggest problem with Freeman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any QB play so badly the first half of seemingly every game for the first 4 years of there career. To me that is who Josh Freeman is.
That is also something you cant blame on anyone or anything else. unless you want to get ridiculous and say the coaches only call good plays in the 2nd half? Lol.
@MadMax
I’ll look him up.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:55 am
My opinon is they must stick with him. Half his career he has shown that he can be real good and the other half has been a learning experience. He has everything except stability in the organization. All the greats have something in common: same OC’s or HC’s in the same system for a LONG time. He has had none of that. Brady, both Mannings, Montana, Aikman, Brees, Rodgers, Marino, etc… all in the same system forever.
Give this system and the inlfux of talent another year. To me, they can be a conteder after 1 offseason.
CBs in the draft and FA. Another D-Lineman plus Clayborn’s return. A TE and WR depth. Another LB.
These things can be done this offseason. Then the return of the starting interior of the O-Line…. Could be a really, really good year next year.
I know the W-L record looked a lot more promising a few weeks ago, but there is no doubt that Schiano and this system has drastically improved the play of this team.
I think the coaches found out they need CBs and lots of them and either another DE… unless they feel Clayborn’s return and Bowers improvement takes care of that.
Should be a very interesting and promising offseason
December 27th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@MadMax
Just watched his highlights, I’m a big fan of anyone that can make the Seminoles look silly Lmao.
December 27th, 2012 at 11:59 am
@CC
It kind of starts at the 5 minute mark in this audio, but it cuts off where he starts taking calls and talked about it more.
http://tampa.cbslocal.com/2012/12/26/audio-boogers-top-5-at-5-december-26th-2012/
December 27th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
No shocker here, though I must say I’d at least have Freeman available for trade. This is a really weak QB draft class, and if you can get KC or Arizona to give up their second round pick (or God willing first rounder) for Freeman, you gotta do it. Trade a 3rd to Seattle for Flynn and the Bucs have a veteran for a few years while finding a QB in the next few drafts. Freeman isn’t the answer, the Eli comparisions are laughable, especially since without the Super Bowl’s Eli gets nowhere near anyone’s top QBs list.
December 27th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Montana. Brees. Brady. Mannings. Rogers. Aikman. Freeman.
Which name doesn’t belong with the others?
December 27th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Freeman is better than Luck without question.
December 27th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
@Silence, Im with you there. That bowl game against Vandy should be a good game to really test Glennon. Cant wait for that one.
December 27th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
MadMax, watching Glennon against FSU, I had a weird sort of flashback to a game here in Jax, when Southern Miss upset the Noles with some guy named Favre at QB….
December 27th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
@Have
I know we’ve had our differences as of late, but did you really just say you think Freeman is better than Luck? We can agree to disagree because I think that is absurd… I would take Luck over Freeman any and every day. Luck has been a winner everywhere he’s played. He took Stanford from a doormat to a contender. The Colts defense is not much better than outs but yet Luck still has his team in the playoffs, which is extremely rare for a rookie. Sorry Pal but that comment is absurd in my view.
December 27th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Nice recall Mike. lol.
December 27th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
The colts defense is not much better than ours*
They are #26 in the league in total Defense. Tampa is 29th. Colts are 19th against the pass and we obviously are the worst. Indi is 30th against the run and we are the best… Both defenses arent very good but obviously one of the QBs on there team is much better. I’ll let you figure out who.
December 27th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Oh yea and not to mention Luck is still excelling with new coaches and a new system which you all seem to be claiming is holding Freeman back lol. The blind leading the blind.
December 27th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Personally I think he is soft. He also is slow to make throws. If you are throwing a slant route, hit the receiver when open, not after 2 defenders have converged
December 27th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Again, after the Bucs lose to the Falcons on Sunday in an uninspiring manner that will consist of innaccurate throws, interceptions, and deer in the headlight stares – we will again be reminded how bright the future is with Freeman at QB.
Just like people calmed and relaxed after his collapse last season. Didn’t take long for him to show his true colors. We can keep going through this cycle of acceptance for this guy but he is what and who he is.
INCONSISTENT. Stop babying him and make him accountable.
December 27th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
He will again be schooled by Matt Ryan on Sunday on how a promising young QB should look.
December 27th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
What a bunch of miserable,sad bunch of “fans” we have around here…..lol
December 27th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@ Silence,
Right on, Can we get a QB that can play 4 consistent quarters every Sunday?
Right now we do not have that.
December 27th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Draft a prospect with upside in the third round or so, to give Freeman some genuine competition and keep him on his toes. Landry Jones or Zac Dysert will be available in that round. Much bigger upside than Orlovsky, that’s for sure. Time to invest a halfway decent pick for QB depth.
December 27th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Freeman fans. Come on people. I even have a Freeman jersey but I realize now he will never be good enough to lead us to the playoffs and win a Superbowl. The man cannot consistently make accurate dump offs, screens, slants, button hooks, flag routes, fades, or deep outs. He often over/under throws and seldom completes even short passes under duress. He freaks out under pressure and loses his cool too easily. Four years is enough of Gosh. I’ll always cheer for my Bucs but Freeman is mediocre at best, keep your interceptions Gosh and move on. Go Bucs!
December 27th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
The assclown is a complete moron. You can’t fix stupid. For all the “whatever shall we do” how many QB’s that are in their first are second year would you rather have? My answer is every one but Weedon. Get rid of the boob.
December 27th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Sorry Raphael Remora, it’s now official, Gosh is as good as gone.
The Buc’s front office has leaked their “Official Vote of Confidence” to a prominent local media reporter. That’s like getting kissed on the lips by Michael Corleone.
Gosh should avoid going out on the lake in that rowboat with Luca Brazzi sitting behind him.
Timing is important in the NFL. I wonder if Gosh will still be a Buc next week at this time.
KC’s GM, Scot Pioli is going to be called to the carpet Monday afternoon. They will ask him for his plan moving forward. He will have to flash an impressive trump card to survive that meeting. The commissioner will frown upon any non-playoff teams making news during the playoffs. KC’s Pioli has to move quickly and concisely.
The Teflon Dom may have to make this move to save his own job.
December 27th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Lmao @ the silly post ^^^^***
Srsly ?
December 27th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
@Miguel
I think this is the first time I would have to agree with you. Not necessarily trading Josh but Dom has to do something this off season to create a spark on this team, especially with Freeman or he is in major jeopardy of losing his job next off season.
December 27th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Told me so??? I wasn’t aware that what this guy says goes? Or is he our Front Office? Lol funny stuff
December 27th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
And for the love of God stop comparing Free Free to any good QB. You cannot compare a QB that has done nothing in his career to Steve Young. Give me a break bahahaha. So he’s broken a few records??? It’s says more about the QB play our franchise has had to endure in its history than to anything special Free Free has done. It’s actually kind of sad that a QB playing as awful as Free Free broke any record. Pretty sad QB history aswell. And no I’m not taking about what QB’s did after they left the Bucs I’m talking about what they played like in a Bucs unifom. Of course there’s always the exception here and there but for the most part crap it’s been.
December 27th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
@Raphael
I love how in your head everyone is a terrible Bucs fan who is sick of seeing freeman stinking up the place! The only some what impressive thing he has done in his time here is pulled off some comeback wins. And its usually against a poor team that we shouldn’t have fallen behind in the first place if we didn’t have a qb who didnt show up till the second half! Once you get over your man crush on him you will realize he is ok at best!
December 27th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
And if we are gonna have to watch an inconsistent passing QB, why not get Tebow. Atleast he’s not scared to run and doesnt blame teammates for every Sh!tty pass he throws! Oh and the glaring difference between the two is Tebow actually knows what if feels like to win. High School (state champ) College ( two time national champ and heisman winner) And has won a playoff game in the pros! let’s see, what has Freeman accomplished thus far……?
December 27th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
I think VIC said it best…
S. O. F. T. and that spells home in January.
December 27th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Ok……so what happens when Freeman continues to play like sh!t next year?? Then I say “fk you” to raphael and all the Freeman defenders”.