“May Be Josh Freeman’s Last Opportunity”
July 16th, 2013
There is a lot at stake for the Bucs and Josh Freeman this year. If Freeman plays well and the Bucs make the playoffs, then Freeman, who is in the final year of his contract, could hit the mother-load and be wealthy beyond his boyhood dreams.
But Freeman’s success, or lack thereof, would directly affect the Bucs for the next few years claims Amani Toomer, co-host of “The Opening Drive,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio. In short, if the Bucs give Freeman a big contract after struggling this year, the Bucs will have to start shedding salaries on defense, Toomer explained this morning.
Toomer believes that could spell doom for the Bucs’ foreseeable future and said he believes this season is Freeman’s last shot to hit the NFL lottery.
“If you give [Freeman] $100 million dollar plus deal, they are going to have to start getting rid people on their defense. They want to know if they sign Josh Freeman, he will give them the type of bump that they need so they can start getting rid of these people on defense and it is not going to affect their team.
“It’s one of those situations where you have to make sure. You can’t miss on these guys. You can’t miss on a quarterback and give him a big time contract or he will put your whole team in a pickle for a long time.
“If you give a quarterback $100 million or a big time deal, most of the time they are not going to get better. It is just human nature. You are going to level out. ‘Well, they think I am good at this amount. This is what they expect of me. So I will just keep giving them that.’ Now if put in incentives to grow – this may be Josh Freeman’s last opportunity to really get pushed to the test, his last hurdle before he gets that big-time contract. [The Bucs] are looking at using every type of motivation they can to get him to that next level and I understand it. Once you get $100 million, there’s not much a coach can tell you. ‘You need to play better.’ ‘Oh, really? You just gave me $100 million. How much better do I have to play?’”
Joe finds it interesting that Toomer said if the Bucs sign Freeman to a new massive deal, then the Bucs will have to start peeling off salaries in the secondary. Joe wonders who exactly he was referring to? Eric Wright? Myron Lewis? Surely not Batman and Robin?
Toomer is pretty much spot on in that this season is not just a crossroads for Freeman’s career and bank account, but so too is it for the Bucs franchise. If Freeman can’t turn the corner, what does the team do?
July 16th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
was just going to piss and moan about another Freeman article but I rather enjoyed this one.
Toomer makes sense, if they pay him the big $ then he might get continent with just playing mediocre. the bucs should only pay what they feel is fair, no more no less. if he is looking to be greedy then he can walk.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Freeman doesn’t strike me as the greedy type.
Still, no way he gets a contract that huge unless he lights it up this season.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
$100 million? Is he high? What in the world would make anyone think we would possibly give him 100 million? Even over 6 years we shouldn’t give him anywhere near 100 million. Maybe mid 70’s at the very most over 6 years and thats after a sensational season.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
The daily Freeman post…ugh. Ok, ere we go. Which active quarterbacks threw more interceptions their first four years in the league than Freeman? Answer…Payton Manning, Eli Manning and Drew Brees! Oh, and Terry Bradshaw, the all-time winningest Super Bowl Quarterback!
July 16th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
if their commitment to getting the best players is any indication then feel confident the bucs will find a suitable replacement, if it comes to that. I dont think it will though
July 16th, 2013 at 1:20 pm
@ Walter
I agree but sometimes players rely heavily on taking their greedy agents advice. one of the pitfalls if you ask me.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:22 pm
“If Freeman can’t turn the corner, what does the team do?”
The same thing this franchise has been doing since it was born.
Searching for a franchise QB.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:23 pm
@Buddah
What exactly are you suggesting with that stat?
July 16th, 2013 at 1:23 pm
This’lll to me reeks of a damned if you do scenario. The new age salary of $20m for a franchise QB dictates that this player has to be capable of carrying his team to the SB with marginal talent around him.
It’s doubtful in Freeman”s case.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Correct Biff. Honestly there isn’t one starter on defense I would give up to keep Freeman. I have to believe that Dom will not over pay Freeman due to his past wild inconsistencies.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
OMG the sky is falling, the sky is falling, nope it’s just rain…
Seriously, I cannot wait for camp to start, even our writers are sick of the crappy off-season content that the websites and networks are filling their time with, the more access to info we have, the more asinine the info has gotten. I actually miss not hearing about the NFL for 60-90 days a year.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
@buddah
All you are saying is that Freeman’s is not good enough to overcome throwing pics. All the champions have right?
July 16th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Just out of curiousity, Does any of you believe Freeman is worth $100 million?
July 16th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Naw they will franchise him before giving him that kind of money next season. I think they would like to see 2 consistent years before rolling out the Brinks truck.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Sneedy16
agreed sorta …I think they’ll make him an offer first, and then franchise him if he does not accept.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:43 pm
@ Couch Fan
hard to say it this point, the season hasnt even started. still given its the QB position, even a player likely Freeman is likely to get overpaid a bit. do you think Tony Romo is really worth the $100 mil? for what hes accomplished, which isnt much, I dont think he is. my point is if he has a really good season it might be darn near close to that.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Wow, 4th 3rd, 4th and 4th in the division. And we are already talking about dumping salaries. This is some rebuild by the Pop-star!
July 16th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
@fl mike
The sky is falling?
I hear what you are saying, but at the same time, we are both posting here when there are more important things to get done this afternoon.
And by the way, if this team goes into a death spiral for the third year in a row, you may just get your wish.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
@ couch…
100 MILL????? ROFLMAO!!!!!!
even if he lights it up he won’t get that. That’s SB winning money. As others have said…..if he does well they will franchise him. Either way, anything short of an all out collapse and he is gonna get paid, just maybe not by Tampa. Someone will offer him a strong contract due to his age, experience and the flaws they think they can fix. Anything short of improvement in several areas and I think they let him walk or offer him an incentive laden deal. and that’s only if they don’t see anyone better. If someone better is out there or a promising draft pick or Glennon steps in and does well and jfro 6 pack jackson does not progress he’s last weeks tuna. I personally think the later.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
With the salary room they have. Getting a OG in the top round of the next draft would help with the space and renegotiate Michael Koenen contract would give even more space(3.25 million). Davin Joseph replacement would cut around 6-7 million in salary cap space. I know Dom will work some magic on the salary cap so I’m not worried.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
@Robert
“That’s SB winning money” (Tony Romo, Philip Rivers)
July 16th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
@ robert
“That’s SB winning money.”
yea sure it is. thats why Tony Romo got that kind of contract, right? keep roflmao smart guy.
July 16th, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Every Bucs’ fan is concerned about Freeman. WhereTF did the 100 Million number come from? Hello McFly!! He already got a big payday w/o doing anything back in his rookie deal. Good character/competitive guys don’t stop at the bank. They go through the drive though and continue to work their tail off. (Jackson, Goldson, Revis) I agree we aren’t convinced that Free is the guy, but I’m pretty sure we’re about to figure it out. I don’t think a contract is going to screw that up.
July 16th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
@ Sneedy
my point exactly. those teams are on the decline.
because someone paid it does not mean they are worth it. Has Dom shown ANY indication he would throw big money at a player that was anything short of top 3-5 @ their position?
July 16th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
@ sneedy
The point is overpaying at most any position is a short term strategy. Kind of to your point, you really can’t skimp and squeeze too much on OL or DL either. Its a trench game. This is where spending as much as we have had to on the secondary is just tragic. Same with overpaying a mediocre QB.
Is there any better long term investment than premium linemen?
July 16th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
@Biff Barker
Yes, a quality, experienced, real, NFL GM. which we do not currently have!
July 16th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
The words “$100 million” and “Josh Freeman” don’t belong in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence!
July 16th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
@Biff Barker
I was thinking of replacing some of the aging vets on the line. Davin hasn’t played a full season often and I know there are cheaper replacements in the draft. We might as we start getting young talent in while the OL is still good.
July 16th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
@ robert
your only worth what someone is will to pay you. the market value has already dictated how much Freeman is worth RIGHT NOW and its somewhere close to 80 mil. just imagine if we made a deep playoff run, that number would go way up.
July 16th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
@ realist
Dom would be resting much better these days without all the Free drama.
Revis drama is in the mix as well.
I do think he needs to win the South this year to keep the owners confidence. A solid season and wild card are rock bottom expectations.
I also do know this team will come out and play hard too. Comes down to coaching and injuries/depth this year.
Go Bucko’s
July 16th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
@the_buc_realist
I really wonder where do you come up with some of these posts. Would you prefer Jerry Jones as a GM? They can do a lot worse than what they have. Complaining about Dom regularly will not change the fact that he is the GM and most likely will be for a while.
July 16th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
lightningbuc,
Sortof,
When Mike Williams gets contract:
Even when throwing to his $100 million receiver core, Freeman is still inconsistent, often wildly missing targets and leaving fans puzzled.
July 16th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
@ Sneedy
Agree 100% restock the OL but wanted to add pay Bostad too.
He can make a good player into a better one.
July 16th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
@Biff Barker
Oh yes, pay the man he is definitely worth whatever he asks for.
July 16th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
@ Andrew
I agree with you are only worth what the market is willing to pay you, but no one is making any offers just yet. Look at what happened to CB salaries last year. One thing that goes in free’s favor is I think Cutler is the only major QB coming onto the market next year which could drive up the price a bit.
Now let me rant.
A persons career, be it football or business, runs on a slope if you were to put it on a chart. They progress and the slope gets higher until they “peak” and start to decline. Once they have peaked and the decline starts so does their value. Now, if jfro 6 pack has peaked and is on the decline this year it will have a HUUUUUGE impact on his market value, regardless of the market. So, when you say free is worth 80 mill right now I must disagree. If anything last year he plateaued even though his #’s looked good because everyone can see he did not progress in several key areas and had a LOT of weapons around him and was in shootouts because our D sucked wind. He would not have gotten 80 million if he was on the market this year because he plateaued……..if he did it would have been very incentive laden IMO
July 16th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
“my point exactly. those teams are on the decline.”
And, yet, if the Cowboys do manage to even come close to a Super Bowl appearance, most of the ‘talking heads’ will count that 100Mil as money well spent. When to give up on a struggling player is a fine line, gotta trust Coach & the Rock Star, cause, after all , they’re the ones who’ll make the call & reap the reward, good or bad. Whether or not fans agree , or disagree, with the move doesn’t matter more than spit on a hot rock. Whilst I may agree that Free isn’t worth that kind of money, in & of himself, if we’re in competition for his services at that price point, WITH NO BETTER ALTERNATIVE, then the team has to consider it. I remember all too well an owner named Culverhouse (may he rest in hell) who made this the second most profitable franchise (behind the Dynasty 49ers) through penny pinching ways, wilt Doug Williams not worth the 200K a year more he was asking. I’d guess you wouldn’t say the “Throwin Samoan ” was an improvement over Williams, cause he was cheaper, right?
July 16th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
wilt was ‘spouse to be with
July 16th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
@ robert
“has peaked and is on the decline this year it will have a HUUUUUGE impact on his market value.”
your right about that. I can honestly say I finally agree with you about something. thats why this season crucial in determining his value because it could turn out to be the opposite of what you just said if we make a deep playoff run.
that 80 mil is directly associated with the kind of contract Stafford has. granted Freeman and Stafford arent exactly worth the same(stats are different but both have losing records) but it still kind of gives you an idea of how much Freeman would get paid right now if we had to sign him because they are similar. that number is close to 80 mil.
July 16th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
all of this is moot anyway, as it stands right now. we might as well flip a coin. it could go either way.
July 16th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Actually the bucs don’t have to she’d from defense. And two, unless josh wins the Super Bowl he’s not getting 100 million. That’s the elite guys. Even if he makes the playoffs he’s not getting an extension. He’s been too up and down in his career to trust him with a new deal.
I’ve broken down his film and will say this. He has the talent but so did Jason Campbell. I compare the too bc they’re too inconsistent and get rattled easily.
July 16th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Guess we will see what he is worth after the season. Second year with the same OC and a real head coach. Part of the season last year he was the best QB in the league. Yes he needs to be more consistent but so does the the oc and the their systems. The second year in this offense will tell all. It is easy for us arm chair gm’s to make decisions with out all the facts. How many ints were the receivers fault for running the wrong route. If he don’t improve after this season then decide if there is a better QB out there (Cutler) or promote from within hopeful what you get is better than what you had.
July 16th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
You guys better pray Cutler does not come to Tampa. If you do not know why, then there is no explaining it to you…
I love how fans claim to have “broken down his tape”, really, then why not throw out an original thought on the guy. I do not mean to be a jerk, but if you have the ability to accurately “brake down the tape”, then you should be getting paid by at least a college level team.
Soon we will know if Freeman gets paid. Quite frankly who cares, it is not your money anyway. If the GM can manage the cap and pay Free keeping the club playing at a high level, than who gives a crap what Freeman makes. They also will not have him “prove” it with the tag either. The tag will be huge on the QB position, and that money is guaranteed.
July 16th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
I think Penn is playing either his last season for the Bucs, or his next-to-last.
So far as salary cap, I’m not terribly worried. Even if the Bucs spend the 19 mill they have left this year, they’ll have 16 mill next year to work with. If they roll over this years remaining, it will give them 35 million…more than enough to resign Freeman.
Freeman will end up getting about 12 million per year unless he makes the playoffs. If he makes the playoffs he’s worth more. The question is how much guaranteed?
July 16th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Chris Says:
“Even if he makes the playoffs he’s not getting an extension. He’s been too up and down in his career to trust him with a new deal.”
That is just…dumb. And I’m being nice.
July 16th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Couch Fan Says
“Just out of curiosity, Does any of you believe Freeman is worth $100 million?”
I don’t believe ANY player is worth that kind of money. But. What if Freeman completes the year with an NFC Championship game or better. The question is, what would we do to keep him if he shows himself as elite?
The bashers think that would require a complete change. It doesn’t. All it requires is for him to play the entire season at his best. The same best we saw in 2010 and the first part of the year last year.
And for the record…his play worsened when Nicks went out. That meant two backups on the oline.
July 16th, 2013 at 5:31 pm
Even if the Bucs win the Super Bowl, Freeman isn’t worth $100MM. It doesn’t make sense to gut a good team for one greedy player. They’re better off to keep improving the overall roster and find a new QB, if Freeman won’t accept a reasonable salary. No single player, be it Brees or Manning should consume 25% of a team’s available salary cap. A franchise QB that leads their team to the Super Bowl should be the highest paid player, but not at the expense of the other 52 players as a whole.
July 16th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
And yes Revis is overpriced too, but I’m glad they got him. It’s a screwy situation the disparity of salaries on the NFL. At least they fixed the rookie wage scale.
July 16th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
The pop star should’ve signed Freeman to a 3 year incentive laden contract this off season. If Freeman blows up in 2013 and forces the Bucs to pay him it means they won a lot of games.
July 16th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
I see Freeman as a QB that can get this team to the post season. It’s a TEAM effort. People don’t understand this?????? TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had our DB’s played even a LITTLE better last year we had a chance 100 Million thats a little much, but all the superbowl and playoff QB’s also have help from the rest of they’re team. I’m not worried about Freeman. I am worried that like last season, if our defense put’s us behind with 1:40 on the clock that it’s gonna be Freemans Fault. For his sake, I hope our Defense does they’re job this season because if they do…he will Shine.
July 16th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Any day now I will get my brand spanking new Josh Freeman jersey in the mail. I plan on wearing it for the next 4 or 5 years. I’m VERY careful how I spend money in this economy. I would not have bought the jersey if I did not believe in Freeman.
July 16th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
Were playing a last place schedule. If freeman plays solid and gets us a wild card ad lose rd 1 I’m not going him an extension. I’d franchise him with a 1 ur deal bc we can afford it for a year , make him do it again.
July 16th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Joe, I am disappointed. It’s “mother lode.” Have you been spending time around Freeman?
July 16th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
@buc1987
why did you not wait until week 6 and get the jersey for half price?
July 16th, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Buc1987 only bought Freeman’s jersey after he finally realized they would not sell him Freeman’s jock.
July 16th, 2013 at 7:56 pm
Haha Joe knows what sells. Look at the bright side fellas. I went to a blog about scam newton on panthersbuzztap just to see what them dummies said about their QB. Most comments were recipes of dumb stuff and memes of dumb stuff. Ones things for sure, love Freeman or hate him, at least we all care about football and are here for football, not a women’s meeting
July 16th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
It’ll be great in February when Freeman is named MVP of the league and starting in the pro bowl. Then u haters will be begging to know what jfro 6 pack’s jock smells like
July 16th, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Mean D only makes the same foolish comments repeatedly, because he is exactly that, a fool.
July 16th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
Mean D = the poster boy for birth control!
July 16th, 2013 at 8:13 pm
@chef paul
If that happens i will be the first to help JFro-6pak do a Keg Stand!
July 16th, 2013 at 11:53 pm
Not sure if it is just an extremely strong mancrush that azzclown Buc1987 has on Jfro six pack or if, in fact, it is true love.
July 17th, 2013 at 12:52 am
I look for Dominick signing Freeman to a moderate deal, with an average salary but heavy incentives for making the playoffs, beyond what is already offered by the NFL(do they get anything extra?). Make it on the scale of Tony Romo, but only if Freeman succeeds that season.
July 17th, 2013 at 1:10 am
Mean D… I’m quite sure you could file for disability and win your case on mental capacity alone.
July 17th, 2013 at 2:24 am
Freeman throws 20 TD’s and 3 picks in 2013 season.
This is the what I have seen and have carved upon the stone
so it may be known to all men.
I have no other explanation than it was foretold to me thus.
July 17th, 2013 at 6:21 am
I really don’t care what Amani Toomer has to say regarding a team’s salary situation when he has absolutely no idea. He is merely speculating; which is what people do when they have no clue. I for one hope Josh Freeman plays well enough to earn the “going rate” for a top 10 QB and we are smart enough to retain him. I sure don’t look forward to seeking the next “savior” or bring in some aging cast-off.