Other QBs Fueling Josh Freeman Critics
December 18th, 2012
From everything Joe has heard and Joe knows, Josh Freeman is a workaholic when it comes to trying to become one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
Thus far, Freeman in his four seasons has been at best, inconsistent. There are times where Freeman reminds Joe of Dan Fouts. There are times Freeman reminds Joe of Neil Lomax. There are times Joe cringes with the memories of Trent Dilfer dancing in his head.
This is part of the reason many Bucs fans either are ready to or already have thrown in the towel on the Bucs signal-caller, partially fueled by Freeman’s freefall the past four weeks from average to below average to struggling to wretched last Sunday, as the Bucs went from strong playoff contender to pretender to full-blown draft mode.
Part of the rancor comes from where Freeman was drafted. There is a certain expectation — real or imagined — that a quarterback drafted in the first round should put his team on his back and carry them to the playoffs.
That hasn’t happened, and the way Freeman has played this season, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, it’s hard to fathom Freeman doing that in the near future. Remember, the Bucs were in prime position for a playoff run at 6-4, and Freeman has regressed since.
Then there is the play of lesser and less-experienced quarterbacks, or at least NFL quarterbacks who were not drafted in the first round but likely are leading their teams to the postseason.
First there is Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers. Drafted in the second round last year, Kaepernick was plugged into the starting lineup in the middle of this season and has done nothing but great things, roasting the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football and then hanging four touchdowns in the freezing rain in New England on Sunday, handing the Patriots their first December home loss in 10 years.
Right now, can anyone envision Freeman doing that to the Patriots?
Then there is Andy Dalton, a second round pick in 2011, who is on the cusp of leading the usually dreadful Bengals to the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson also has the anti-Freeman crowd in a roar. The rookie third round pick has been nothing less than dynamic and has the Seahawks on the verge of the playoffs.
And who can forget Nick Foles, a rookie third round pick of the Eagles, who came into Raymond James and showed Bucs fans the way to play quarterback, the way to handle pressure, the way to slice through a defense for a game-winning drive, stuff Freeman hasn’t been able to accomplish enough over the past two years.
Because of the excellent play of quarterbacks with lesser expectations than Freeman had when he was drafted — no fault of Freeman’s — many Bucs fans have begun searching for torches.
When fans see these quarterbacks play so well, they ask, “Why can’t Freeman do that?” It’s a fair question given Freeman has more toys to play with than those signal-callers, and has had more games to polish his craft than the aforementioned QBs.
Look, Joe is confident Freeman will be your Bucs starting quarterback through 2013, and he very well may be re-signed by Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik.
But the patience of Bucs fans has grown short for Freeman’s ability to lead a team to mid-January games — not watching on the couch like the rest of us.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Nice article Joe. You are reading my mind.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
LOL Neil Lomax! That’s about right!!!
December 18th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
#5 will always have accuracy & mechanics issues….that’s who he is….streaky and nervous
December 18th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Best article yet on why fans are increasingly frustrated.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
The difference between those QBs and freeman is they have good defense
December 18th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
The begining of the end for Freeman. These next 2 weeks I am confident in his inability to perform.
Give me Andy Dalton over Josh.
And, if Dominick pulls a “rock star” and extends Freeman beyond 2013, then they both will need to be shown the door. Isn’t Dom supposed to be getting the band back together… you know “The Hanson Brothers”…
December 18th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Really joe, nick foles, our defense can make 5th string qbs look elite.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
William,
Not just the defense. Freeman can’t throw a 5 yard dump off to a running back without putting too much mustard on it and having it bounce of said running back’s facemask for an INT.
Josh can’t throw, think under pressure, or put any form of consistency together.
Today’s NFL requires better QB play, and if we can’t have our 1st round pick complete 60%+ (with this supporting cast), then the sooner the better with the QB change.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
I really had a lot of faith in Freeman and summed up his performance last year to god awful coaching. I gave him an eight game cushion this year due to new coaching and system. However, he has obviously regressed to a putrid level of QB play and I also believe he is missing the “IT” factor. The “IT” factor can not be taught and it does not automatically appear if you are a 1st round draft pick. When he walks to the line, he has that lost deer in the headlights look, is easily shaken and may be afraid to take a hit. Thats why he never takes off and runs with it. We should not put all of our chips in his basket and definetely draft a decent QB, not only to push him, but to eventually replace his ass if he does’nt get it together in 2013.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Nick Foles beat the Bucs at home, on the 10th anniversary of the super bowl team.
What could Freeman do against the horrible Philly D? You know, Nick, the same D that “has given up”, or “doesn’t want to tackle and has packed it in”?
Josh has no excuses, it is his 4th year and he needs to go. You can’t throw a screen pass after 4 years in the league, then you are NEVER going to be able to develop any form of consistency.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@ rhenry,
Right on! Freeman is missing “It”.
“It”= the ability to throw the ball 5 yards with touch and accuracy, or possibly the ability to develop comfort in the pocket and stepping into throws, or what about mechanics being developed so one could throw the ball 5 yards to an RB with touch?
Yeah, Freeman does not have “It”, and needs to go.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Hve u seen Dalton’s numbers? Also he cnt beat the elite teams ravens/steelers Wilson they hve a great D and his stats are pedistrain at best also Hw many times do u see a rookie qb(newton) light it up his first yr then come down to earth sophomore slump… Kapernick… San Fran runs a college O for him when teams hve tape it’s over plus it helps when the hve a great D Foles played against our secondary nuff said… Ima freman supporter he has bn crap lately ill live with him then the likes of Simms greise leftwich gradkowski dilfer Garcia Johnson etc
December 18th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Bucs have a better defense than the Saints. How did Freeman do last week when the Bucs had to win in order to have a prayer for a playoff berth?
December 18th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Hhhmmm.
Simms and Garcia got the Bucs to the playoffs. Johnson won a Super Bowl.
Freeman? Nada.
So you prefer the Bucs not to be in the playoffs, or winning a Super Bowl, huh?
December 18th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Freeman is the 34th most accurate passer in the NFL, newsflash: there are only 32 teams.
Something needs to change, either hit the open man or we will find someone that can.
It is disturbing that Freeman is in his 4th year as starter, and all of these rookies and 2nd year guys seem to be “getting it” much quicker.
I wish we never leapfrogged Denver and let them draft Freeman. Can’t have a QB in today’s game that can’t throw a pass with accuracy and touch 5 yards… Just can’t do it.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Joe,
good point. I would rather have the physically limited Brad Johnson behind the helm and here’s why: grace under pressure, learns from mistakes, can still process thoughts and progressions throughout the play, makes up for arm limitations and slow footspeed with great accuaracy underneath, and is a leader.
Yeah, give me Brad Johnson. I am 100% exhausted with watching the most physically gifted QB in the NFL lacking focus/concentration/consistency.
You live and die with your QB. It might be time to cut bait, no use in having all of that talent if you can’t hone it in.
Adam Schein was right, I’d take Ponder over Freeman.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Chiefs fans don’t like their QB or their GM. Let’s package our two in a trade. Actually, they can HAVE the GM formerly known as Rock Star!
December 18th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
We Bucs fans sound a lot like Giants fans complaining about Eli Manning after his first year in a similar offense. I’m certain that the routes changing on the fly dynamic will take more than a season to perfect. There is still hope.
December 18th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@ joe I’m tlkn bout josh Johnson… I respect brad Simms and Garcia still had a legendary D backin them up… Plus everyone knewcwecwere gunna lose those playoff games… Thts weak sauce Joe
December 18th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Really? You do know that the Redskins and Giants played the Bucs in Tampa Bay in those playoff losses, and that the Giants were a wild card team that season.
Not sure what you need to brush up on more, your memory recall or your spelling. If “everyone” knew the Bucs would lose, why was the game played?
To your credit, only the most myopic Bucs fan expected anything out of Josh Johnson. Nice guy, smart guy, over his head in the NFL.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Shut up about the system. The system is totally irrelevant to the issues Free is dealing with. Accuracy and the ability to react to pressure, not stare down receivers, throw a 5 yard screen are not on the system.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@ Joe I see I hit a nerve wit u ima huge fan I remember that year the giants came in hot and Jeff was just middle of the road QB with limitations I knew we were gunna lose just being a realist bruh… Simms against the redskins that game was a push cuda gone either way but were I really expecting Simms too get us by ??? If so yur delusional dude.. So u criticize Josh even tho he is better then Garcia and Simms? Get real Joe I respect u, but lets b clear
December 18th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Plus logically, you progressively get better as the season goes and you learn a new system you don’t continue to regress in every aspect.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Hold on fans. I see yet another excuse for him. Routes changing on the fly. The only one they change for are him. The receivers run the same routes they ran earlier in the year when they worked. They change for him under pressure and he goes into full blown panic mode.. Next excuse please.
And the “He’s only 24” has already been used.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
ill live with him then the likes of Simms greise leftwich gradkowski dilfer Garcia Johnson etc << LOL Exactly. I'm sure the "get rid of freeman" crowd is the same as the "fire Chucky" crowd. Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it (Raheem).
December 18th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
What about Freeman’s 3rd and 9 in the 4th Q against Dallas? You know, the: “I thought of the first play that ran through my head and we ran it up the gut… The headset wasn’t working properly.”
This was the play that let me know all I need to about Freeman. 4th year as a starter in the NFL, and you can’t gain an idea about audibles.
Maybe Freeman should get out of the gun range, put down the FIFA world cup video games, and play Madden in his free time. Atleast then Josh would be practicing some form of audibles.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Right on commentators, right on Freeman is trash.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
@ Michael Weber:
Consider me a part of the crowd that “wishes” his QB could throw an accuarate 5 yard pass to the flats with some touch on it….
December 18th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
How much longer will excuses be made fro Freeman? Time to cut bait, he is either a part of the solution or a part of the problem.
Right now, he is public enemy # 1.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
I would offer Freeman an 8 year contract, at the NFL minimum and he can forget about the $8.3 million next year.
Otherwise trade him.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
@ SteveK – YES. I remember being horrified when he said that.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Freeman deserves to be critized on his inconsistency, but the article makes it sound like our success, or lack thereof, is all Freeman’s fault.
How about the defense break up a pass? There is at least 3-4 losses DIRECTLY attributed for our lousy pass defense.
We all seem to forget what expectations were BEFORE the season.
Now that we’re doing better than expectations, we’re bitching because it’s not good enough?
Come on people.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Trade Freeman to the Redskins
For Kirk Cousins.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Freeman= blust in the making….
He is draining the life out of the Bucs fan base… The sooner a QB change is made the better for the betterment of the future of the Bucs Team!
December 18th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
@bucsfanjeff – who’s expectations are you referring to? Not mine. Every analyst always hates on the Bucs and says how awful they are going to be. I, however, expected a lot more from this team and from my QB. To date, we have still only beaten 1 team with a winning record. We have beaten 4 in the last 3 seasons. We are not doing better than expected.
Anybody that thinks the losses are ALL freeman’s fault is delusional and I don’t think many people are really thinking that. You can’t ignore our defense. You also can’t ignore how bad Josh is playing.
It’s not even close to good enough. Sorry, but when I pay $200 to go to a Bucs game every single home Sunday, I expect million dollar athletes to perform and to win.
The whole we’ve been losers in the past so now that we’re competitive losers it’s much better attitude is nonsense.
December 18th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
bucfanjeff:
Joe thinks you are looking at this backwards. Who expected the NFL’s worst pass defense to suddenly become halfway decent? They were garbage even with the Adderall twins.
Joe’s pretty confident that every person at One Buc Palace much less ever Bucs fan expected Josh Freeman to have a higher accuracy percentage than No. 34 in the NFL.
When the Bucs needed him the most, Freeman didn’t show up. A first round draft pick mind you, not a guy off the street or a rookie free agent.
Even with the rotten pass defense, the Bucs — with good quarterback play — could have won at least three of the last four games.
December 18th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
The defense wouldn’t have been in the position to stop offenses on those last drives if Freeman would have made better choices and actually completed a pass. So no they were not DIRECTLY on the defense.
December 18th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Joe,
Great article, and agree with everything. I think Freeman shows promise and can excel in the NFL-as a Buc. But a QB needs an entire team working with him to win games. For the life of me though, when a receiver is running a down and out, and 5 throws it at the guy’s feet, you just do a head smack. The worst was last week, when 83 is running to the end zone, and 5 throws it in the arms of the DB standing in the middle of the field-thinkng it was a crossing route. Why is there miscommunication this late in the season? I just dont understand it.
December 18th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
I quote the late, great buc coach John Mckay regarding Steve Deberg. He plays just good enough to get you beat. Think about it, all of our losses excluding Sunday were by eight points or less. If we are lucky, really lucky, Freeman will turn into a middle of the road QB who can manage the team but in no way will he ever carry them on his back.
December 18th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
South Tampa:
Thanks for the kind words.
That’s a great question.
December 18th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Agree Joe, as a matter of fact, I mentioned this in a post yesterday. Here it is. In today’s NFL everything favors the offense. the corners can’t touch anyone after five yards, no face guarding, not hitting too hard, or above the shoulder pads. Also no hitting the qb low or high or too hard. So basically, All a quarterback has to do to be successful is to be acurate. This does not seem to be Freeman’s strong point as of yet.
December 18th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Joe Says:
December 18th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
bucfanjeff:
Joe thinks you are looking at this backwards. Who expected the NFL’s worst pass defense to suddenly become halfway decent? They were garbage even with the Adderall twins.
Joe’s pretty confident that every person at One Buc Palace much less ever Bucs fan expected Josh Freeman to have a higher accuracy percentage than No. 34 in the NFL.
When the Bucs needed him the most, Freeman didn’t show up. A first round draft pick mind you, not a guy off the street or a rookie free agent.
Even with the rotten pass defense, the Bucs — with good quarterback play — could have won at least three of the last four games.
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Great post Joe. This is what I’ve been saying all along. Freeman homers want to blame a defense that has (in my opnion) been playing up to there talent level and expectations… and believe it or not they’ve been somewhat consistant in there awfulness. Free on the other hand could of won games for us if he would play all 4 quarters the way he plays the 4th quarter… Thats not saying our defense doesnt disserve blame, of course they do we all know they suck. But we do have an offense that can win games. But so far Free isnt the QB we need to run it.
December 18th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Freeman over 250 yards and 3 TDS and no INTs on Sunday, Doug Martin 100 yards and a TD, BUCS win 34-14 against the RAMS. Freeman will bounce back, and then all the “fair weather”, ‘Turn Coat” real bucs fan, will be back and happy again until the next loss and it will be: DRAFT Geno Smith (bad idea), NEW COACH (Worse idea), Hire Turner for OC (Dumb idea). Or could sign Vick and Draft Geno Smith, then take turns playing them and throw it VJAX everytime as this works on PS3, Could always hire Andy Reid as OC, Turner as QB coach (Replace his brother)……………………..and with Smith who is a first ballot hall of famer can’t miss prospect in the mold of RG3 and A.Luck and Vick to run wilcat stuff and deep balls, should go 16-0 and upset the 72 dolphins, its an easy fix to help a franchise just draft a new QB and start over, see D.Carr, J.Rusell, A.Smith, J.Harrington, T.Couch, M.Sanchez, M.Leinart etc etc.
December 18th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
A.Smith=Akili Smith for the record…..
December 18th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Josh could definitely be more accurate there is no refuting that fact but to think that he is the most glaring problem this team has is just dumb. People seem to forget that it wasnt that long ago where everyone was in love with Josh, media included, and now he is hated more than Judas. Freeman does have some things to work on but to start all over at this point is not the right idea. How about we see what some consistency and continuity in the offensive system for more than a year works. In four years as an NFL QB Freeman has had at least 3 OC’s and wasnt coached very well to boot. Defense has lost us most of these games if Gorrer, it doesnt matter if its spelled wrong he wont be here long anyway, catches that interception against the Eagles what would the dialogue about the QB be then. I think everyone is just being a prisoner of the moment right now.
December 18th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
D.Carr, J.Russell, J.Harrington, T.Couch, M.Sanchez, M.Leinart etc.
Yeah, That is the only class of QBS j. freeman fits in….
Scott Says:
Trade Freeman to the Redskins
For Kirk Cousins.
I agree whole heartedly, 100%………. May be Raheem morris still thinks so highly of Freeman that he would somehow help the Bucs make that deal happen! {hopeful Thinking}
December 18th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
@SaskBuco LOL awesome post. I couldn’t agree more. Earlier today I posted that Freeman had better stats the first 4 years than Eli and I got all sorts of crazed comments the funniest I personally thought was the one saying Freeman didn’t have the lineage so it was unfair to compare him to Eli. Freeman is actually having a better year than Eli this year as well.
I guess the supposed fan doesn’t remember our Chris Simms, Brian Griese one two punch – they both resembled their fathers -right (sarcasm). I also didn’t realize QB’s were like show dogs or race horses all we need to do is mate Joe Montana with like Johnny Unitas’s daughter and in 20 or so years we will have an unstoppable QB like the world has never seen.
Also another thing I think is Hilarious is how easy it seemingly is to draft a franchise QB for the folks on this site anyway. RG3 and Andrew Luck are studs and there is no one even in there class for awhile. The other examples Colin K. and Russell Wilson are on teams with punishing defenses. If we had either of those defenses – let me count how many more games we would’ve won – hmmm probably 4 or 5. Also San Fran has one of the best O-lines in the league and Seattle isn’t far behind. Our O-line when healthy is good but now is average at best. A couple days ago I listed all the supposed franchise quarterback busts. Literally for every good QB there are 5 or 6 that just plain suck. If it were that easy to get a franchise QB wouldn’t every team in the league have one ??
Lets think of the garbage we had prior to Josh Freeman. Oh in case you want to go Free Agent future GM’s here is what is out there:
Luke McCown – ATL
Joe Flacco – BAL
Tarvaris Jackson – BUF
Tyler Thigpen – BUF
Derek Anderson – CAR
Jason Campbell – CHI
Josh McCown – CHI
Bruce Gradkowski – CIN
Drew Stanton – IND
Brady Quinn – KC
Pat Devlin – MIA – (Ex)
Matt Moore – MIA
Chase Daniel – NO
David Carr – NYG
Matt Leinart – OAK
Charlie Batch – PIT
Byron Leftwich – PIT
Kellen Clemens – STL
Rex Grossman – WAS
December 18th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Yeh trade him for Cousins good idea. Wow how are you not the GM for the BUCS ??
December 18th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
He sure does’nt play like he’s up for a big $ pay off worthy guy right now. At all.
As far as the anonymous player, step up or shut up! What a cowardly piece
of trash.
December 18th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
What are these expectations we had of Freeman? He’s playing just like he did in college.
December 18th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
wow i cannot believe this. You guys are unbelievable. Joe if you wanna keep on bringing up 34th ranking for accuracy, mention his td rank or td to int ratio rank. Where does he rank in yardage. He is not perfect, but you have to take in to account the amount of passes down the field we are throwing. If we ran 15 wr screens a game like the patriots,he would have higher completion percentage. He is 24 years old, and if we had even a mediocre defense we would have 9 wins right now. This is horrible.
December 18th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
If we ran 15 wr screens a game like the patriots,he would have higher completion percentage. He is 24 years old, and if we had even a mediocre defense we would have 9 wins right now. This is horrible.
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Or a QB who plays all 4 quarters instead of just the 4th quarter.
Bottom line is as of right now Free IS as big of a problem as our Defense. Even if we play great Defense we STILL arent going to win many games with a QB that only plays 1 half of good football. If you dispute that then you are just blind and dumb.
December 18th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Jarrett don’t you remember the saying last year, “stats are for losers”
Well Freeman is just that – a loser.
The ONLY stat that matters in the NFL is wins and losses; unfortunately for the Bucs Freeman is the franchise losing QB.
BTW I would rather have Garcia as the Bucs QB; at least Joe would post pictures of Camellia!
December 18th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
What has Freeman done for us in his four years of starting? NOTHING. No playoff berths, not even a wild card berth. We haven’t been close to being a serious contender at all. Dalton, Wilson, RGIII and Luck all have their fan bases excited and are taking their teams to the playoffs in their 1st season. Freeman is in his 4TH SEASON and the rookies are outplaying him.
His worst game of the year came against the WORST defense in the NFL! (other than ours). We were 6-4, had a nice shot at the playoffs one month ago, now we’ve collapsed AGAIN and are now 6-8!
With Freeman starting, it’s always “wait till next year” as a Bucs fan. I’m sick of it. Buccaneers fans have had more patience than any other fan base would’ve had with Freeman, i’m sure about that.
December 18th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Do any of you guys happen to remember the Dallas game????
The one where our defense shut down Romo all day, but also the one where Freeman only threw for 37 yards until the final two minutes? The one where he did NOTHING the entire game and was downright embarrassing?
That RIGHT THERE is the kind of performance Freeman could surprise you with any week of the year!
December 18th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
lmao about the Rams game . Score might be reversed if Freeman gets pressure. Remember, Freeman is the same one that threw a pass to Ware behind the line for a loss instead of throwing it away because he was under a little pressure.
If we beat them what does that show?? It shows we still can’t beat a team with a winning record.
And NO everyone will not come running to kiss Freemans’ feet and praise how great he is. It with only further prove what is already known.
December 18th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
^ will
December 18th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
At least we didn’t draft Sanchez like Dominik wanted.
That was as pitiful a performance on MNF as possible.
We’re stuck with a painful reality. Nobody out there in free agency would be better and not a strong QB class in the draft. Id rather have RGIII, but he’s already a skin.
I’m not excited about Alex Smith either.
It’s depressing.
December 18th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Face it….Free is getting another year. Chalk it up to having multiple OCs or another new system but the reality is he’s still being evaluated and like the earlier list of FA QBs indicate, there’s no one to trade him for. Get used to the colon sucking for another year Bucs fans……we have Josh by Gosh and he’s our man…..for now.
December 18th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Might just be me, but Josh hasn’t been the same since he took that low shot to the knee against Denver. Could it be that play has gotten into his head and that is why he is feeling imaginary pressure? If so, he needs to toughen up, Brady blew out his knee on a similar play but he still stands in there. We’re probably stuck with him at least for next year so the Bucs need to get his head sorted out soon!
December 18th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
You guys sound like y’all bet on games. He’s in a slump and it’s clear. But Freeman is having a great season overall. He’s just 239 yards shy of 3,000 yards mark with a 3 to 1 td/int ratio with a 94.3 qbr. He’s about to be a 3x in a row 3000 yard Qb. Read this slowly. He’s about to be a 3x in a row 3000 yard passer. You guys talking about getting rid of a qb this franchise NEVER had since it existence for an unproven player? Plus Our defense have not been in the top 16 since the superbowl team was intact and Monte was DC.
All this offense need is a Right Tackle and a good Tight End. The defense need Corners, D lieman pass rush specialist, safety to replace Barber, and a Will (RLB).
For those pointing out these rookie doing good because of a good defense has a point. In the passing game the Bucs is rank #22 in points allowed with 349 point total. #28 in sack with just 25 sacks. #32 with 4,349 passing yard allowed. Tied @ #30 for passing TDs with the total of 27td given away. #5 with ints. with 17 total. #27 in 3 and out with a 42% conversion.
But what those in denial refuse to see, both the 9ers and Seahawks are 2 and 3 in total defense rank.
http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stats/statistics.html
http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stats/roster/Josh-Freeman/11f2eb1c-a031-4430-a54c-1064f7256be1
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?seasonType=REG&offensiveStatisticCategory=null&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=1&d-447263-p=1&d-447263-s=DOWN_3RD_PERCENTAGE&tabSeq=2&season=2012&role=OPP&Submit=Go&archive=false&conference=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=TOTAL_YARDS&qualified=false
December 18th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Check out the history of our QBs: http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stats/history/all-time-records/all-time-leaders-passing.html
Look who is number four overall and compare his stats to the top qb on that list. Only Brad has 1.1 % edge over Freeman. History also show that our fanbase don’t appreciate our QB none lasted over 5 years. Even our “best” didn’t last more than 5 years. Now that very impatient when no one get through an average 5 years contrct as qb. Getting rid of Freeman will make matters worst with a sub par defense.
December 18th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
IT ALL STARTS WITH THE QB!!! End of the damn story. Geez you homers are unbelieveable and at this point I’m convinced full of hypocrisy. You call us fair weather fans for our criticism of Free yet it seems all you care about is defending Free at all costs including the cost of this organization. A true fan wants what’s best for this team and clearly as of this moment it’s not Free. Will I be happy if Free carves up the Rams??? Frankly no, I will be happy when he shows that he can put a complete season together and that when he does have a bad game its just that a bad game not unfathomably horrific. All QB’s have bad games, but not to Freeman’s degree. How many more years of this franchises youth and talent are you willing to allow to go waste on Free? Isn’t his entire rookie contract sufficient enough time for him to either show he is the answer or that he isn’t?
December 18th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
That’s not directed to everyone that’s said a positive statement about Free, but for those who are truly the Free homers.
December 19th, 2012 at 12:08 am
Freeman will be our starting QB next year. Hopefully we add a weapon that can work in the slot and doesn’t get alligator arms going across the middle. God willing, our secondary will be able to stop a stiff breeze from blowing past them with a couple new additions. Our key players who are on IR will be back at full strength.
The sun will come up tomorrow. I’m not in much of a mood to start all over again so I’m willing to give Freeman one more year.
December 19th, 2012 at 12:31 am
The Truth hurt… I know. lol. Right now it’s just overreacting.
December 19th, 2012 at 12:58 am
Yes, these last four games reveal a glaring truth.
December 19th, 2012 at 1:05 am
Not to mention what have all those stats equated to? Does those 3000 yards passing somehow equate to playoff births for us??? Or SB’s??? Wait… What’s his win loss right now… Or overall??? C’mon man get a grip.
Oh wait I forgot, it’s never Free’s fault. My bad
December 19th, 2012 at 9:37 am
I am not sure how citing another teams successful draft at QB as being something we can just do. That is like saying so and so picked the winning lottery numbers why didn’t all of us. If getting a franchise QB was so easy how come there are so many teams unable to do so ?
Presently there are at least 9 teams looking for a franchise QB or any semblance of a franchise QB. If we got rid of Josh who would we replace him with ? I am not saying Freeman is an Elite QB but he is serviceable and a rung below in the realm of Romo, Flacco, Phillip Rivers etc., it would be nice if he had a big Tight End and a good slot receiver for the sake of dump offs and such. But we won a Superbowl with a serviceable QB Brad Johnson who went on a good streak just like hopefully Josh will do once we get a defense worth a crap.
Now I agree you should always look to the future and even draft a QB this year and see how he plays. If he can outplay Josh Freeman then put him in. If not he can hold the clipboard until he does. However, that said I think the BUCS future depends more on the defense and not the offense. We are in the top 10 in offense and well to be honest we are horrible on defense especially in the secondary (obvious).
Oh and check out Freeman’s numbers and compare to Eli’s wow Freeman has better numbers. Wow, lets cut him or trade him and get who ?? Cousins, Foles – LOL you guys are great just great. Wait Michael Vick had a great season a few years ago and should hit the free agent market we can get him probably. Freeman may not be the answer but we won’t know until we get a better D or QB.
Is he better than anyone on this list right now and anyone out of College ??
Luke McCown – ATL
Joe Flacco – BAL
Tarvaris Jackson – BUF
Tyler Thigpen – BUF
Derek Anderson – CAR
Jason Campbell – CHI
Josh McCown – CHI
Bruce Gradkowski – CIN
Drew Stanton – IND
Brady Quinn – KC
Pat Devlin – MIA – (Ex)
Matt Moore – MIA
Chase Daniel – NO
David Carr – NYG
Matt Leinart – OAK
Charlie Batch – PIT
Byron Leftwich – PIT
Kellen Clemens – STL
Rex Grossman – WAS
December 19th, 2012 at 9:53 am
@Red86 good points. I agree problem is mainly on Defense we do need a little help on offense but not to the extent the defense does. Josh is adequate not Elite but good enough to get the job done.
As far as the point about winning Superbowls, Dan Marino, Dan Fouts, Fran Tarkenton, Jim Kelly and Warren Moon must suck too because they never won a Superbowl. Oh Trent Dilfer won a Superbowl so he must be good I guess – we should’ve never gotten rid of him. LOL. You want to talk a bad QB let’s talk Trent Dilfer he couldn’t throw the deep ball well but he made up for that by also sucking at the short to intermediate throws.
The Freeman haters are right to a degree if he was a more accurate QB we could definitely have more wins but with a leagues worst pass defense we wouldn’t get far. However, that said Drew Brees is having a decent year and oh wait they have the same amount of wins as us.
December 19th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Those QBs that were great but never one Super Bowls ANY of them would tell you they would give up any of those lofty records to have a ring. That’s why they play the game. Those QB’s that have won a SB will always have something they long for but can never say they have. Or do you somehow think any fan base would want Dan Marino as their QB if they knew he would put up pretty numbers but never give them a SB lol please. I would never want to take back the years we had with BJ no matter who you offered me, you know why? Cause he won a Super Bowl for us. Records can always be broken, Super Bowls can never be taken away. Your logic is so flawed, because we don’t have a clear cut replacement now we should stay stuck on someone we KNOW is not the answer? The longer we spend on Free logically the slower we will find out who his replacement is.
December 19th, 2012 at 11:53 am
Won*
December 19th, 2012 at 11:53 am
Brees has also won a superbowl and been in the playoffs year after year… Please stop the silly comparisons. Free is not in Brees league, or anyone elses you just named.
December 19th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
We are going to be forced to keep Free for another year at least. Hopefully, he can fix his issues, but if he doesn’t he wont be around for 2014. It’s as simple as that.
December 19th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Mr. lucky, if winning and losing were the only things that mattered for a qb, then vince young and tebow would be considered good qbs. well it turns out they are both terrible. Give freeman the broncos d, he is in playoffs. Freeman is not problem at all, d line and secondary is. The only other problem tampa has is idiots like all of you,not knowing a thing about football
December 19th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
PrBuc: Your deinal hlp you overlook that I said Freeman in a slump. The truth hurt.
December 19th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
help*
December 20th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
No I didn’t overlook you said that, I just didn’t feel like spending time addressing yet another excuse for Free’s lack of consistency/skill. Btw nice job dodging. Very hypocritical
December 20th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Saying we have a problem on the D is one thing, saying that Its the only problem is just completely moronic. End of story
December 20th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
And what the hell is your twisted idea of a great season? Statistics really??? Enlighten me, what do great statistics guarantee?