Patience, Please
July 24th, 2013
Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman was on an NFL quarterback rollercoaster last year. While at times he played exceptional football, there were times — too many times — where it seemed he completed nearly as many passes to the opposition as his own teammates.
Sadly for Freeman, the ghastly nine picks in the final three games is what is fresh in Bucs fans’ memory banks. This is not the Josh Freeman to expect this season, Bucs quarterback coach John McNulty noted when he chatted with Joe today at One Buc Palace.
In fact, McNulty said Freeman’s struggles last season were, in a way, somewhat expected.
“I think as much as anything there is decision-making that goes along with the system. This one puts a lot on the quarterback. It takes some time to get comfortable running that offense. It is similar to when I was in Jacksonville with Mark Brunell. It took a couple of years to get rolling with it. [Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan] “Sully will tell you it took a couple of years with Eli [Manning with the Giants] and he started to roll with it,” McNulty said.
“It takes some time. He has been exposed to a lot of different systems. He has got a lot of knowledge about football but to apply it with all the different reads and everything, it takes some time. I thought that he was making great progress through [2012]. He has kind of continued through that vein through the spring and the past couple of days for the quarterback school. “
This is encouraging information to Joe. Yes, Sullivan worked with Tom Coughlin and Brunell in Jacksonville, and when Brunnell turned the corner, he was one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL and led the Jags to an AFC title game.
Eli Manning’s reversal of fortunes will go down in history and may very well get him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Now will Freeman lead the Bucs to an NFC title game or get two Super Bowl rings? Well, that’s a monster leap right now. But it is very encouraging that Sullivan has experience turning around quarterbacks.
July 24th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Reading other NFC South blogs…there are many who think our reciever corps is weak….beyond Jackson, they don’t believe we have done anything to help Freeman & believe that he is performing better than he should given the circumstances.
I don’t really agree with that but a case could be made that we didn’t do much to improve at the third reciever spot & TE.
I think more familiarity with this system will be a huge benefit for Josh & the recievers this year.
I like it that he is working with the same 1 & 2 recievers.
July 24th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Sign Him…Now.
July 24th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
OMG. More excuses setting up for another weak year for JFro.
July 24th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
you can dooo it jfro!!!!
July 24th, 2013 at 2:55 pm
I give Josh a lot of flack….. it’s easy pickens…
but I really hope the guy pulls through for us this year. We can’t afford for him not to. That being said, I do hope they yank him sooner rather than later if he is clearly in a rut. 2 benefits there. See what Glennon has and light a fire under Freeman.
July 24th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Those blogs don’t know what they are talking about. Mike Williams showed he can be a decent #1 WR. And last year he showed he’s a fantastic #2 WR. Doug Martin, O line = Awesome. Personaly I really like Tiquan Underwood. Lorig didn’t start so good but seemed to improve as the season went on. Only question mark is TE IMO. They’ve helped him enoiugh i think. Them blogs, the rest of the NFL and the dumb talking heads on BSPN can keep sleeping on this team. I really believe the pieces are in place
July 24th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Lol. Freeman is a stud QB and all the morons will be eating crow soon…
Joe , I don’t think it’s turning around a QB , the guy is 25 yrs old and has had a new system every year…I bet he tops his franchise records he set last year..
July 24th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Mean D,
I agree! McNulty is basically saying don’t expect much different from JFro. It’s always hilarious to hear about these different “systems”. They make it sound more complex than finding a cure for cancer.
July 24th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
@ lightningbuc ..you never played so your just talkin out your rear end…lmao
July 24th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
SPIN IT!!! Spin it however you want to haters. Blind Haters. Full of hate. Hate it hard.
July 24th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Time for you to get your first taste of playoff football Josh! Make us all proud to have you as our Quarterback!
July 24th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Bad part is, if Sullivan turns around Freeman this year, you can just about bank on it that Sullivan will be a head coach in 2014. That means another new OC for Freeman.
July 24th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
@Hawaiian Buc
McNulty will probably be taking over and that should lessen the blow.
July 24th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
PLAYOFFS OR?
We are going QB searching if no playoffs…
Freeman’s record season was a 7-9 record withstanding.
I expect Freeman to lead this team (make enough plays consistently) to lead this team to the playoffs).
2013 is now or never for # 5.
Raphael,
I hope bettering the career best’s from last year equates to playoffs.
Chef Paul,
Playoffs much? We better get in there this year. If not, #5 can pack up his POTENTIAL, and frustrate another fan base for 5 years. It is now or never.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Nothing new that we haven’t heard
Time to prove your progression this season. This team is too talented, no need to try and make anything happen this year. All excuses are out the window now. Let’s get this done.
It would be a special year if both the Rays and the Bucs win the big one haha.
I can dream…
July 24th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Rather no need to try and “force” anything
July 24th, 2013 at 4:15 pm
stevek,
2. That’s 2 loses from last year we can blame on Freeman. twice he had more int’s than td’s. That’s it. 7. That’s 7 games with no picks. Oh what the hell am I thinking, WCBF already told you blind haters all that. HATE! All you haters keep saying “excuses excuses excuses” if you ask me the excuses are coming from the haters. Gotta have somehing to hate. Blind hatred. Hate hate hate.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
I hope Sully resists offers and stays at least a couple more years.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
stevek Says:
“We are going QB searching if no playoffs…”
I don’t think playoffs or a winning record have anything to do with Josh Freeman’s job security. What matters is that he does his job well. It takes a team to make the playoffs.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
That said…I don’t think there is anything to worry about.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
I see 3 dumb people.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Line Cook Paul,
What NFL QB has the most interceptions the past two seasons? I’ll give you a hint – his first name starts with J and his last name is Freeman.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:34 pm
this Freeman debate has gotten so old. not much else to say that hasnt already been said a thousand times before. everyone just relax and let things play out. our answers will come soon enough.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
Lightningbuc,
1st. lol. I like what u did with my name.
2nd. Oh gawd more excuses from the hate crowd.
July 24th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
“I hope Sully resists offers and stays at least a couple more years.”
——
You can’t expect that out of any coach. Coaching is their career, and if the opportunity arises to be promoted, almost all are going to take it (yes I know Kiffin didn’t). If you were offered a promotion with a different company (with a lot more money), can you honestly say that you wouldn’t take it? If so, you’re a better man than me.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:03 pm
My quick freeman breakdown:
5 great games (100 or above) = 4-1
3 good games(81-99) = 1-2
5 average games(70-80) = 2-3
3 bad games (60 or below) = 0-3
If Freeman can lower the bad games to 0-1 and have 3 more(half the season) of great games. This team will make the playoffs. I expect Freeman to have more good-great games and lower the bad games just due to more time in the same system. As the article says patience bucs fans this team is still pretty young
July 24th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
( )= qb rating
July 24th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
I “hope” he does too Bonzai!!!!
If we have a great offensive season, I “expect” quite the opposite.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Eventually results have to match expectations. Free isn’t the only one. Not a long shelf life for the whole crew over there at one Buc.
After around five years the old “were rebuilding” mantra ceases to soothe the masses.
Plenty of hot seats available.
That said I expect Freeman to play well. I have to give leeway for learning his craft initially under Raheem.
July 24th, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Eric, that is so true…. how many players were stunted under Greg Olson as well? Doug Martin came in and had a great year… is that because he had a better coaching staff? (Well, maybe partly, he’s just damned good). Lavonte David didn’t have Raheem as a coach, he did pretty well also. Maybe that’s why Myron Lewis is still on the roster… they just woke him up from the Raheem Coma, and are working to see if there has been too much damage done or not…
July 24th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
^^^^Dungy Dungy Dungy….the Bucs sucked for eons and eons before Dungy. Coaching DOES matter. Bucs fans SHOULD know this. Regardless of what anybody says Freeman was a lot better QB last year than in 2011 under Raheem.
July 24th, 2013 at 10:44 pm
The thing I do not understand is that the coaches are saying this. Not broadcasters, analysis, or other fans, so to call this excuses is just stupid. Coaches are the one watching the tape, practicing with the player so I’m sure they have more of an incite on the player than we do.
July 24th, 2013 at 11:39 pm
WestCoastBucsFan Says: July 24th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
@Hawaiian Buc
“McNulty will probably be taking over and that should lessen the blow.”
Actually, if Sully goes a certain advisor who is collecting a college check until next year will possibly get the nod. Of course, I’m half asleep after a long day, so maybe I’m delusional.