Fans’ Frustration With Josh Freeman
January 4th, 2013
One positive to Josh Freeman and the Bucs winning the final game of the season, though it could cost them the chance to draft the Baron of Berlin, Florida State stud defensive end Bjoern Werner, is that for a brief moment it has softened the cries for Freeman’s head.
Freeman frustrates Bucs fans and a loss would have done nothing but fuel the flames of anti-Freeman chatter on sports radio through the entire offseason.
Freeman will enter his fifth season as a Bucs starter in 2013, and there are a number of Bucs fans tired of his inconsistency and patches of frightening inaccuracy, despite the fantasy football-like numbers he put up last year. He’s 24-32 over his career as a starter and has been upstaged by a crop of up-and-coming quarterbacks, evidenced by the playoffs which begin tomorrow. Consider a handful of starting quarterbacks this weekend:
Cincinnati: Andy Dalton, second year in NFL.
Minnesota: Christian Ponder, second year in NFL.
Indianapolis: Andrew Luck, rookie.
San Francisco: Colin Kaepernick, second year in NFL.
Seattle: Russell Wilson, rookie.
Washington: Robert Griffin III, rookie.
So half the starting quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs are either second-year guys or rookies. Throw in the fact that Mark Sanchez, a guy who was drafted just ahead of Freeman, has already played in two AFC championship games, it is easy to see why Bucs fans are losing patience with Freeman when they see him one-hop passes to running backs in the flat, miss wide open receivers terribly in the end zone and occasionally force a pass into triple coverage.
Does this mean Freeman is or will be a bad quarterback? No. Just that Bucs fans see the aforementioned quarterbacks lead their teams to the postseason, and wonder why the former Bucs first round pick cannot play up to the same level as rookies or others with half the NFL time logged than Freeman has.
So Joe can understand why Bucs fans have lost trust in the Bucs signal-caller.
January 4th, 2013 at 9:58 am
Only idiots would lose faith in Freeman. Other than maybe 1, I would take Freeman all day over the guys you listed as being in the playoffs. Just because a QB makes it too the playoffs or beyond does’nt make him a good QB. See Shaun King and Trent Dilfer. I believe this is the dumbest argument one can make. All those guys listed have other reasons for making it. It’s a team sport and any logical fan can see that. If we just had a half arse secondary we would be in the playoffs too.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:00 am
Freeman’s a Moron
January 4th, 2013 at 10:02 am
@Brad +1
January 4th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Yeah and out of all those teams compared, ALL of them have good or elite defenses. When you have had the bottom of the barrel defense (LITERALLY) for Josh’s whole tenure with the Bucs, then it is also easy to see a reason why he may not be progressing like we want him to.
I support Josh Freeman all the way!!! Remember it takes a TEAM to get into the post season. And I know Josh will never be Payton Manning. I just want to see him perform with a good defense.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Brad is right, the defense lost more games than Freeman. The defense played 2 solid games all year, the last two. That Dallas vs Washignton game was boring as kell. Billed as a high scoring showing of QBs, it turned into an overrated Romo throwing picks and a sub par performance by RGIII. The Bucs need at least an average pass defense before they will do anything. Even at our best on ofense we are not NE, . NE seems to be able to have crap defense and still win, but that does not always happen. Last years ten losses came from a team that was bad in every aspect of the game, and many have the same record as Freeman…Should we fire them all and start over?
January 4th, 2013 at 10:12 am
Joe makes his own point when he uses Sanchez as an example. For what it’s worth, those 2nd year QBs have no better record than Freeman in his 2nd year except that 10-6 was not good enough to get into the playoffs that year. And If Sanchez is a good example, what difference does making the playoffs mean if you never win? Getting Sanchez replaced and got Andy Reid fired!
January 4th, 2013 at 10:13 am
Not to mention consistency in the coaching and schemes for the teams going to the play offs. maybe not at the QB position, but the majority of the team was already there and on the same page. Our offense has been redone 3 times in four years, so even the old guys have to learn new terms and such. The bottom line is Tampa fans always need one guy to blame, somewhere along the line (about six weeks ago) it became Freeman.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:19 am
I just love low info fans.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:26 am
sanchez also got benched. Josh has not played NEARLY as bad over his career, your right though sanchez DOES have consistency in his favor. Consistently sucking.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:30 am
@brad…your a low life…
I wonder how many of the QBs ,play on a team with the worst pass defense in the History of the NFL…?
January 4th, 2013 at 10:33 am
We need to take this opportunity to get the Best QB coach in the Business
He just needs some individual tutoring…IMHO
January 4th, 2013 at 10:34 am
So.. Christian Ponder led his team to the playoffs? Or Adrian Peterson led his team to the playoffs?
Doug Martin had a great year, but he is no AP
The Bucs biggest problem this year, was pass d.. Not Freeman being inconsistent! The fact that he has 4 years in the league, and is still only 24 (soon to be 25) is impressive, ultimately he is still just a kid, a kid who is younger then Kaepernick, and Dalton, and born the same year as Wilson and and Ponder.
Comparatively each QB has a great to solid D, a solid running back/game
People need to get off the ledge, and worry about bigger and more important things then Freeman’s inconsistency in a new system
January 4th, 2013 at 10:34 am
For the all the people wanting Freeman gone and new starting quarterback let me know the plan. There isn’t a quarterback in the open market or in the draft better than Freeman. Last season, yes. But list I checked this draft doesn’t have an RG3 or Andrew Luck caliber player. The free agent class doesn’t have another Peyton Manning. This is the absolute worse time to try to get rid of him so everyone might as well be patient and hope he comes out balling next year. That’s what’s best for all buc fans right now
January 4th, 2013 at 10:38 am
Pass Defense is the culprit to Bus watching playoffs on TV this month. Freeman had up and downs but he actually is improving when you look at his performance up to date.
I agree with getting rid of Talib and Wright. But if they play all year we would be in the playoffs. I’m not saying they played perfect. But they played better than their replacements.
Lets have a good off season again with draft and free agency and we will go deep into the playoffs next year. Hopefully Sullivan is still with us next year.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:48 am
Freeman’s win percentage is even lower than his completion percentage. We need a smart, mobile, ACCURATE, consistent, even keeled qb to get back in the playoffs and take the Bucs on a Superbowl run. Is Freeman really any of those things? Are great or even just good qb’s ever described as having the “deer in the headlights look”? Many have seen Freeman look that way repeatedly, especially when pressured. Think about that all you Freeman apologists ! Go Bucs!
January 4th, 2013 at 10:53 am
So what’s the plan for acquiring this quarterback. Take a chance on an unproven rookie in a pretty bad draft class. Get a mediocre/ok quarterback in free agency that doesn’t have any where near the talent that Freeman has. He has one more year left in his contract. Let him play it through then the decision will be easier
January 4th, 2013 at 10:56 am
I still believe in Freeman. The one thing we really fail to consider is the amount of change around him. multiple OC’s during his 4yrs and different level of talent surrounding him. I think this is similar to the unfortunate story of Jason Campbell. I think Free is more talented than Campbell but it concerns me that his career path is trending in a similar manner. I think one or two more years of a consistent system, OC, and talent will prove he is a probowl level QB.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Freeman has been saddled with a bad defense, ( which Dominik has spent years trying to fix) having said that, There are way too many 3 and outs that put the bad defense right back on the field. I don’t expect offenses to score every play. But i do expect a little of a sustain drives. Also at this point in his career, Freeman should have better Play-action hand-offs, able to look off his plays, and pump fake the ball. He is terrible at all of this. this is why he gets his balls batted down and throws easy interceptions. If Sullivan leaves, I would try to trade Freeman and start anew.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:09 am
Well I’d take Dalton, Wilson, RGIII and Kaepernick over Freeman every day of the week. I can point to huge, important games they’ve made big plays to contribute to wins. Josh…well, he did lead us to a bunch of comebacks against terrible teams in 2010 and…yeah. If Freeman doesn’t get some competition next year we can look forward to another 6-10 or 7-9 season.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:14 am
Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they are telling:
Josh Freeman’s stats versus the league:
19th in Quarterback rating
5th most interceptions thrown
7th most touchdowns thrown
9th in yards thrown
4th in fewest number of sacks
29th in completion percentage
It is obvious he has tools. It is also obvious he has major accuracy issues. He doesn’t get sacked a lot, but when pressured, he makes poor throws. I don’t know if that can be corrected. After 4 years in the league, you are what your numbers say you are. An inaccurate QB will not take you far into the playoffs. I like Josh, but I am afraid he is who he is. One more year to play out his contract…then see who’s available. There is nobody available now through FA or the draft that I would say should replace him…..
January 4th, 2013 at 11:18 am
I’d take the Bengals, Seahawks, and 49ers D over our D before I’d take Andy, Russel, or Colin over Josh.. Worry about the things you can control.. We have a big young inconsistent QB that has seen 3 different O’s in his first 4 seasons, he can make every throw, by all accounts (minus Boomer) puts in the work, give him some time to figure things out just like it did with Eli and then come up with a judgement
Just wondering.. But how many people were upset when he was a NFL Network top 100 QB, who led his team to 10 wins.. same amount of wins as the SB champs who got in through a tiebreaker over TB..
January 4th, 2013 at 11:23 am
His lack of accuracy is my biggest concern, and I’m not sure how much that can be improved upon. Seems like something you are born with, much like his big arm.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:32 am
Will let me ask you. How long am on supposed to wait as a season ticket holder and a fan for Josh Freeman to develop? Give me a timeframe. I will stay quiet for the duration of the timeframe and at the end of that time if he is not developed I will begin my complaining. The guy has had five years now. If has not suddenly gotten it I don’t think it’s going to happen. Quarterbacks don’t just turn it on in the middle of their career. Either they get it or they don’t. And do not use an example like Kurt Warner. This is somebody who rode the bench his entire career and when he stepped on the field it clicked immediately. This is a person who the media will constantly remind us that he has all of the physical tools and the work ethic required to be successful in the league. But if he just does not have the ability to be successful well that is something that you have to take into account. I can have a great work ethic and still not end up becoming the CEO of Apple. I think at this point if he has not developed into something that you think you can turn into a quarterback who you can ride into the playoffs you use this season and a franchise season to transition into somebody who is going to be that person for you. You don’t pull a situation where you throw a rookie directly into the flames. You let Freeman babysit for two years and you either make a project out of somebody or you draft somebody. That will either push Feeeman to get his act together or you will cut him loose at the end of 2014
January 4th, 2013 at 11:33 am
What do these QB’s have in common? A Defense! Not only does a good defense keep the score in check, but it also creates good field position for the offense. Even when the Bucs D made a stop; it was on the 50 and the opposing team would just pin the offense back on the 10 or 15 yard line.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:38 am
The skins have a bad defense, but RGIII gets them to believe and win.
Leadership is a component of QB play that can’t be measured by stats.
Acting like a spoiled brat and blaming others for incompletions or INT’s doesn’t get it done. Neither does sucky play at critical times.
Doug had lousy stats in 79, but damn sure was the leader of that team. In his 2nd year. Would you rather have fancy stats and watch playoff games or have a true leader that gets you there?
January 4th, 2013 at 11:44 am
I’d like to have a defense that can seal the victory when we’re ahead. Freeman has his flaws and we all know what they are, but he’s played well enough to give us the lead in the 4th quarter only to have the defense lose it.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:44 am
Sanchez, is in the Shaun King, Dilfer category where they were lucky to be on a team with a great defense. 2012 Bucs defense blew 4th quarter leads against Atl, NYG, Was, and Phil.
QB’s don’t play defense. Football is a team game.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:52 am
Agreed Bucnjim
If the Bucs pass D was just average we would be in the playoffs. Common sense tells you we need to improve the pass rush and the back end of the D and this team will be fine.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
MR.BUC
I would have to disagree with you when you say our defense lost most games for us this year. Our PASS defense lost most games for us this year, while our run-D was stout.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
I think a solid defense to equalize the game would give us the opportunity to see what Freeman can do. I think we finish the defense by drafting or FA’s for the pass rush then draft a mid round project QB as this is a thin draft for QB’s anyway. Also find us that gem of a QB coach who can try to work out the bugs on Freeman plus develop the project QB. I also think it would be in the Bucs best interest to resign Freeman to an incentive laden cap friendly contract this year so we don’t get stuck holding the bag in a year or two. If he lights it on fire next year and is a FA we lose and if he is mediocre and we have to draft we lose because look at our past history of forcing new QB’s to play right away. I hope Freeman puts it all together for the sake of our team and the fact that he is one of the good guys. Good to let your kids look up to unlike some of the freaks in the NFL. There is a reason they call Goodell a warden.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
I love all the excuses for Freeman.
All this tells me is that when we fix our D. It will only show how flawed Freeman really is and all the blind crotch riders will have to face facts that Freeman is not very good.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
BucnJim Says:
“I’d like to have a defense that can seal the victory when we’re ahead. Freeman has his flaws and we all know what they are, but he’s played well enough to give us the lead in the 4th quarter only to have the defense lose it.”
Freeman DOES NOT play well for the first 3 quarters. He usually shows signs of life in the 4th Quarter of games.
The problem is we need to find a starting QB for Quarters 1-3. We have an OK 4th Quarter guy, if only he was smart enough to audible and not look like he has seen a ghost when the ball is snapped… if only…
January 4th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
So what is the excuse next year?
55 starts deep for #5, when will deliver? Excuses, excuses, excuses…. When will he look off a WR and throw to another, make more than one read.
His inconsistency is laughable, and he should be better than this by now.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
All those guys has a good to great defense this year… go figure. Freeman have never had an average defense in both the pass and run. Some year the rund defense was just horrible. Finally this year it’s good. The pass defense was pretty good, but now you get the point.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
I think Schiano and Dominik were very frustrated with Josh as well. However, they are impressed with his work ethic and his competitive fire and desire to win. Also he shows flashes of greatness. He probably will be a Joe Flacco type of guy and hopefully not a Tony Romo type of guy. He most likely will not be elite unless he improves his accuracy tremendously. Which could possibly be done with proper coaching.
It was telling what Schiano said in his press conference and I would be shocked if the BUCS didn’t either draft someone or bring in a better backup to push Josh in case he implodes next year. Hopefully, with the improved line (Nicks and Joseph returning) as well as hopefully drafting or signing either a slot receiver or a big tight end his play will improve. Also better defensive play will bring more wins as will increasingly being able to run the ball both of which should occur next year.
Freeman is good as a game manager provided he doesn’t make boneheaded Tony Romoesque type of plays. As far as expecting him to go out and win games I am not sure if he is there yet to do so on a consistent basis or will ever be there but we can still win Superbowls with him.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Freeman needs to improve his short and intermediate ,passing,he is ok on long passes because of our great receivers . If we could coach him up maybe he can be more accurate . But 4 years and this I what we got? We need to get a real back up they are out there experts are always wrong (check Wilson,they said he is to small) I am sure we could get some small collage guy that is overlooked, if we really scout them out and just have a real backup plan if josh can’t throw a 5 yard pass. Next year too.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Since 2010 (his first full year as a starter), Josh has won 20 games. Here’s who he’s beaten:
In 2010 –
A 1-15 Carolina Panthers team twice.
A terrible Cleveland team.
A terrible Cincinatti team.
A terrible St. Louis Rams team.
A terrible Arizona team.
A terrible 49ers team.
A terrible Redskins team.
A terrible Seahawks team.
A Saints team resting it’s starters for the 2nd half.
In 2011 –
A terrible Vikings team.
An excellent Falcons team.
A 2-14 Colts team.
A good Saints team.
In 2012 –
A bad Panthers team x2.
A 2-14 Chiefs team.
A pretty good Vikings team.
A terrible Raiders team.
A pretty lousy Chargers team.
Those are all of Josh’s wins over the last three seasons. Twenty wins…Three wins against teams that could kindly be called mediocre. One against a team resting for the playoffs. Three against teams that would make the playoffs…AND THIRTEEN against the worst teams in the NFL.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
SteveK,
Yesterday I agreed with Shaun King that Freeman should see a sports psychologist. What you accurately describe is my rationale for saying so.
For 3 quarters, Freeman is playing with the cautious mindset of not doing anything wrong because I’ve got “everything to lose” and consequently plays badly.
In the 4th quarter, usually behind from his play in the first 3 quarters, his mindset is to play uninhibited because I’ve got “nothing to lose” and usually plays much better. If that is not a psychological problem, I’ve never seen one!
January 4th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
@Brad
(-) 1
January 4th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
I ask that any of You that are saying the Defense “lost more games” to go back and look at the Drive Summaries for the games. ALL of them. Fact is, the defense is what kept the BUCS in most of the games. Sounds silly until you look at the progression of the games. Take a look at the punts/interceptions forced. Take a look at how the game unfolded according to the drives. I know a lot of people will want to point to the GIANTS game. Well, that would be one of the biggest examples of the Defense keeping them in the game. Long enough, in fact, that the offense should’ve been able to put the game away in the 3rd quarter.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/drivechart?gameId=320916019
Killer Instinct isn’t coached, People!
January 4th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
The Vikings defense isn’t great, neither is Washington’s or Indianapolis. New England has a terrible secondary, but are still the #2 seed. So using the defense claim is weak. Also the defense wasn’t exactly great in 2010 but Freeman was much better then. The fact he is still regressing from that season, but now with greater weapons around him, is inexcusable. I hope Josh comes out next year and lights it up. But every indicator suggests the opposite. As such, you gotta have a contingency, cause this is a playoff team with steady QB play, even with that weak defense. If Freeman plays well (not even great) against Philly, New Orleans and St. Louis, the Bucs are in the playoffs at present.
January 4th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Joe there are some immature so called fans on your site. Whats with all the name calling? Anyway, NICE ARTICLE!
Your dead on once again! The realist got me thinking. I can’t really remember Freeway pump faking. Thats how you freak (confuse) the safety. That makes it a little bit easier. Right?
Tell Freeway to watch film of Big Ben Dogsh!tberger and he might be mentioned amongst thee elites! Another suggestion, Number 5 can learn from Andrew Luck’s footwork. The rookie has Tom Turdrefic feet.
Off Topic: Joe if Alanta wins the SB, just saying! That means the NFC South is the toughest Division. We would have a 3 RINGS in 15years. No other division has had 3 treams win it. Carolina even went to the SB.
Tell the anal list they forgot to analyze that!
January 4th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Thanks Sac.
January 4th, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Free will be the guy to start in 2013. If he is 1-3 in the first month, have to make a change. If 2-2 he keeps his job. We should draft a young qb and develop like SF and Seattle have done. Gems can be found. Maybe Taj Boyd. Also Free ran a lot at K State, let him do what his strenghts are. Just have to avoid hits like Russell Wilson does.
Let’s give Rah Morris some credit. RG3 and Alfred give them a lead, his secondary keeps the lead. His secondary is respectable and ours is horrible!!
January 4th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
I dont know why everyone is acting like our QB is the biggest problem on this team The Bucs wouldve won a lot more games if we didnt have the worst pass defense in the history of football. In many of the games that people are citing as why we need a change the defense was the problem not Josh, i.e. NYG, ATL, NO, WAS, DAL, PHI. The ball literally bounced off the dbs chest the play right before Foles threw the TD as time expired. Josh has his flaws but so does everybody starting over with a new inexperienced QB at this point would be a mistake.
January 4th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
How can the Freeman apologists blame the entire season on the defense. The defense wouldn’t be on the field half the time if the offense could actually score some points or hell just get 3 first downs. The Bucs are always behind to start the 2nd half. The defense is typically wore out by the end of the 3rd quarter. So I guess its alright for Freeman to play awful in the first. But its the defenses fault for not creating turn overs to make up for his poor play. I hope Freeman plays great next year. But nothing this year would make me think that’s going to happen.
January 4th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
@Bucfan88
Please dont use common sense on this sight. It’s uncalled for and the Fan boys totally disagree with anything not conducive to Josh looking like an all pro QB. This is a team game after all and its all the defenses fault despite josh averaging only 1 good quarter a game during his career so far and taking a siesta the other 3. (sarcasm intended)
January 4th, 2013 at 2:08 pm
JF has shown he is a bust and the Bucs fianlly acknowledging this I am convinced watching JF’s games is just a matter of time…
10-6… 1 season against a schedule of poor teams… Look up NFL 1 hit wonders…
The Bucs have made a mockery of the Franchise QB tag by giving to JF from the beginning and him not earning or deserving of it!….. NEXT!
January 4th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Brad is correct.
January 4th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Every year the talking heads slobber over rookie qbs. When will they learn there is a tendency for these guys to fall off in their sophomore year?
January 4th, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Dilfer made the pro bowl in 97, in his fourth year.
And had multiple coordinators.
January 4th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
4 of the 6 quarterbacks he named have great defenses. Andrew Luck is in a crao division and still has a better pass defense than ours…Same case for Rg3.
January 4th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
I just scroll through and read all the comments and it seems that there are very few that can agree to disagree without name calling. I can admit that Freeman has his days where you wonder how is he playing in the league, but he does shine from time to time. He is the starting QB for next year and all I can do is support the kid until he is in another uniform.
January 4th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
LOL @ Freeman lovers.
My problem with Freeman is not Bucs missing out on playoffs. I understand it takes a team to make the playoffs. My problem with Freeman is how poorly he played since the Falcons game. That is when most of the young QBs mentioned above actually improved their games. Meanwhile our guy started playing like his 2011 self as if he isn’t cut out to handle pressure.
Yes, if we had a good pass defense, we may have sneaked into playoffs. But I still would have criticized Freeman for playing like the worst QB in NFL in the month of December. That horrible accuracy of Freeman by the way is not only because he attempts long balls often, it is also because his intermediate range accuracy may be hands down the worst in NFL. Until those problems go away, which I doubt they will, my criticism of Freeman will be active and running.
January 4th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Wait those rookies have only had one year in their system!!!!!!!! Oh wait thats Josh’s excuse sorry.
January 4th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Johnny 3.3 couldn’t agree more, there we were with a chance to make the playoffs and Freeman actually played us out of them for 4 straight games (8 picks in two straight games.) If anyone thinks Schiano (mr. ball security) didn’t notice that they didn’t hear his comment at the end of the year about “being all in with Freeman.”
January 4th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
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My… that was a good laugh. EXCUSES EXCUSES EXCUSES.
Plain and Simple, Results don’t Lie. Free is a LOSER as of now.
An Inaccurate Inconsistant LOSER.
It’s now or never Free Free, not even the biggest homer can save you after this coming season.
Prove us wrong.
January 4th, 2013 at 5:44 pm
@Jonny 3.3 and Nick2
Please stop using common sense!! The fan boys can’t handle it and will resort to name calling. Free is there god and he can do no wrong. His remarkable stats speak for themselves and you must understand its a team game although all the blame to them is on the defensive side of the ball.
January 4th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
Ironic isn’t it Silence lol
January 4th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Lol, very ironic.
January 4th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
With Turner gone we know we now have excuse number 101. So what will be numbers 102,103 ??
January 4th, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Bottom Line: All these excuses for Our starting QB are invalid. Far too many QB’s in the NFL, including 3 rookies, made it to the playoffs with “New Systems”.
EVERYONE sees the shortcomings on defense and giving up big yardage.
However, what I keep getting out of all of the comments about “if we had a better defense” is that it seems that the is supposed to win the game instead of the QB. And I can’t take the “well, he gave them the lead in the 4th quarter” and “the defense blew the lead” because that depends on how you look at the progression of the game. Playing well for 1/2 of game(if that) and then making a cameo in the 4th quarter won’t cut it. And that’s how I saw it most of those close losses this season. Either one more stop or one more score would’ve sealed the deal. I thought we were more loaded on the offensive side of the ball that on the defensive side, so that’s how I looked it. Had the offense(QB) done a better job, those games aren’t even close. Do we expect him to score a TD on every drive? Yes, because We’re fans. Truth is…we know that won’t happen. But for some reason some Us think they Defense is supposed to completely blank out the opposing offense. Unreal.
January 4th, 2013 at 9:33 pm
Dumbest site for the dumbest fan base in the NFL. How can you possibly write this story without mentioning that for 32 of these games the Bucs had the worst defense in football. Do you think, perhaps, just maybe, having the last ranked run defense in 2011, the last ranked pass defense in 2012 and the last ranked total defense in both years could have an affect on the QBs record? The best thing about your website is that it’s free. If you ever charged even a dollar for this site, you’ll be down to 1 view per month. And that will be your grandmother showing an interest in all the time you spend in the basement.
January 4th, 2013 at 9:50 pm
He kido,
Dont be ignorant
January 4th, 2013 at 9:56 pm
‘QB driven league’
Our defense has nothing to do with Freemans duties as our QB.
He’s the one who passes the ball…
The one being inaccurate, panicking at the slightest thought of pressure, staring down receivers and failing to make progressions.
January 5th, 2013 at 1:55 am
“Can’t win with em’, can’t do it…”
In the words of the great Mike Singletary.
January 5th, 2013 at 10:08 am
Obviously the secondary will be a huge focus off season. As to the run defense I think that will be challenged more when the secondary is better. Why rush when you can easily pass down field with little resistance?
But though the defense does cause issues like poor field position and reduced playing time, the forced throws, missed throws and easy reads are problematic. There seems to be a mental component, as he is streaky and does better in the 4th quarter. I would love to see him improve, but clearly they will bring in a backup they hope will challenge him.
him.
Frankly, every team should want a decent backup. Even if you have an elite QB you need a good backup and decent defense. Otherwise if the QB gets hurt, you are out of luck. Like the Colts when Manning went down.
So they will try. Sometimes a lower draft can work well with good scouting. If they fill the holes in the secondary the QB won’t need to carry the team. Even Tebow as situational tight end and backup may help, we need to see if some healthy competition can get Freeman to the next level before his contract is up. IMHO. Just a lady fan with a female prospective.
January 10th, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Freeman is a good QB, finally we have an Offense with some legitimate threats, but now this is period where the defense is being rebuilt. Next year if they can improve pass rush and coverage, the Bucs can be better.
Also, the Bucs have the tendency to Cut, Trade, not sign QB’s that go on to win SB elsewhere….Doug Williams, Steve Young, Trent Dilfer, don’t add Freeman to the list!
January 12th, 2013 at 4:36 am
Its simple, if Freeman has another year with the same coaching and new talent and a healthy offensive line, he will do great. Can you imagine what Martin could do with the entire line healthy? Not to mention more time in the pocket for Freeman.
On the other side how about Clayborn? Bowers healthy going into the offseason.
As far as Freeman, he has absolutely shown that he has the tools to do great, capable of having winning streaks. It is his inconstancy that is bad but I think can be overcome with an additional year in a solid coaching environment with his new weapons and healthy line.
If he does bad, well then the bucs will likely move on and rightly so. Then everyone will get to argue over another QB.