“Have To Tip Your Cap To Mark Dominik”
August 8th, 2013
Another rollercoaster season from Josh Freeman will be good enough to get him a fat contract somewhere, says senior CBS writer Jason La Canfora.
Cool cat and a friend of Joe’s, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, appeared on the “Ron and Ian” show yesterday on WDAE-AM 620 to talk NFL and the Bucs. After spending time talking about the mess that is the Philadelphia Beagles, La Canfora turned to the Bucs.
La Canfora loves how Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik upgraded the in the past two years and he believes the Bucs and Dominik would be foolish to let Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman walk after the season, even if he goes all Six Flags again.
“The quarterback situation will be touchy,” LaCanfora said. “It’s clear that Schiano is not ready to commit to Freeman as his guy long-term. I can tell you this, though, if Josh Freeman has another Josh Freeman year where he’s okay for four weeks, he’s a world-beater for six weeks, he’s brutal for you know five weeks, there will be somebody out there that will pay him good money to be their quarterback.”
To hear the entire interview with La Canfora, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s good friends at WDAE-AM 620.
August 8th, 2013 at 9:18 am
I’ll tip my cap to Mark Dominik when we start having winning seasons and making the playoffs. To this point his tenure has been a string of failures. Maybe that will turn around, maybe not. Jury is still out.
August 8th, 2013 at 9:26 am
If we decide to let Freeman go this year. I have no doubts that someone will pay him stupidly big money. But, if he can’t get it done here with this much talent around him…. how in the world is he going to go to a lesser team and be better? There is no team that is going to pay him big money that will put him in a better situation than us.
Thats why I laugh when people try to say “Oh your gonna be sorry if he leaves”.
I’m really not sure how or why Canfora thinks that if Freeman has 9 or 10 weeks where he is average to below average, that we need to sign him… really?
If thats how we judged every position, our team would be absolutely awful…
Kind of like it has been the last 5 years I guess.
August 8th, 2013 at 9:34 am
If he goes to a team in a weaker division, and they make a commitment to win, I think Freeman would tear it up. Like the AFC East or AFC South. Bet the Bills, Jets, Titans, Jaguars would love to have him.
August 8th, 2013 at 9:41 am
AmbushBuc Says:
“I’ll tip my cap to Mark Dominik when we start having winning seasons and making the playoffs. To this point his tenure has been a string of failures. Maybe that will turn around, maybe not. Jury is still out.”
It’s been a while since I pointed this out, but Mark Dominick has the slightly better record than Rich McKay did at the same point with the Bucs. Same win/loss record, but Rich did not have a single winning season whereas Mark has had one.
What does it mean? Well, as you say, “the jury is still out”. But I would have to say it could go either way at this point.
I still think Glennon was a mistake. I think Defensive Line depth was more important (especially DT) in the 3rd round. The Bucs were going to let Freeman play out this year either way, so they could have gotten a better QB then Glennon next year.
However, I’m also convinced that Josh Freeman will remain the starter for years to come, unless an injury happens and he cannot return as a result.
I think, for Mark Dominick, a winning season is a must to keep his job.
I think for Josh Freeman, he doesn’t have to make the playoffs. I think if he does what he is supposed to do without any disasters like last year, he will get an extension. Sure, I think if he has a record setting franchise year it will be a huge contract, but if he is acceptable, he’ll still get extended…just for less money.
These fans who say to trade freeman so we won’t have to pay him a big contract are out of their minds. Our one chance at finally having an elite QB (if he does become one) and they want to get rid of him over money that isn’t even theirs to spend?
August 8th, 2013 at 9:42 am
The worst thing that Freeman could do is play for a big contract. We’ve all seen his play when he presses and it’s not good. My opinion, if he plays within himself and lets the year take care of itself, he will be OK.
I honestly expect to see some up and down play, he just can’t lose the game – meaning we would have won the game but for something he personally did that caused the loss. As LaCanfora says he will have a pretty good contract somewhere, whether it’s with the Bucs or another team.
If he plays like he did last year and eliminates the 4 int games, we will win games. I can’t say that we are definitely a playoff team, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t be!
August 8th, 2013 at 9:42 am
@Buc’n Junkie
I agree.
August 8th, 2013 at 9:55 am
The AFC South? Maybe. That might be his best chance of success on another team. I, Personally can’t see him going to Titans or Jags and being able to beat Indi or Houston.
The AFC West may be his best shot after Manning retires.
August 8th, 2013 at 9:59 am
Coaches believe in their ability to coach so sure someone will pay Freeman if the Buccs decide to let him go after the season. But the simple fact that someone else will be willing to pick him up should have no bearing on whether or not Freeman should be cut. His play will/should determine his future with this team.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:09 am
@Couch Fan
Oooh, the AFC West?? He could live out his dream of being a Chief.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:10 am
Yup he could. And the Chiefs would probably be the best team in that division with Freeman. Once Manning is gone of course.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:19 am
Love all the 5jock swingers who say Glennon was a mistake when they have yet to see a single NFL snap from him.
Guess you all have missed the train back to Hooterville.
If you think the offense obsessed Glazers didn’t hear the home crowd booing after J5 Pick O’ Matic was collapsing with tet another season ending skid at home….your kidding yourselves. The Brothers G put up a lot of scratch in order to get fans back in the seats. Kinda hard to do when the face of the franchise looks lost out there. I understand 10 less important offensive players bear responsibility, but the QB is the lightening rod.
I truly hope both Freeman and Glennon can show well. It’s what is best four our team. You should too.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:26 am
The Chiefs have Alex Smith and he has proven to be a decent NFL QB. I don’t think they would be interested unless Smith really stinks it up this year. Now if you really think the West, (of course because I didn’t mention them) it would probably either be the Raiders or Chargers, after they kick Phillip Rivers to the curb this year, or with the Raiders annual revolving QB door. It will be a larger market team that is ready for contention that will pay Freeman for his services.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:37 am
I can definately see the Raiders throwing big money at Free. Dont see SD dumping an established guy like Rivers though for him. Possible but unlikely.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:38 am
@Biff Barker
“If you think the offense obsessed Glazers didn’t hear the home crowd booing after J5 Pick O’ Matic was collapsing with tet another season ending skid at home….your kidding yourselves. The Brothers G put up a lot of scratch in order to get fans back in the seats.”
I’m not trying to make fun, but I do not understand this section of your comment. Plus from what Joe brought up a few times the Glazer”s do not profit much from ticket sales. They make money mainly off of TV contracts. They still get paid even if the game is blacked out.
Oh yeah I doubt it was the Glazers that wanted Glennon. It was a head coach / GM move since they do not have a decent backup if JF gets hurt. Plus, the coach didn’t have full confidence in the QB.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:39 am
@Buc n’ Junkie
Freeman would look nice in a Viking helmet lol
August 8th, 2013 at 10:43 am
First day of football season and this thread has evolved onto where our starting QB might play next year!
Yow!
August 8th, 2013 at 10:48 am
^^^^ you’re right. That should make you happy.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:51 am
@Biff
Is it so bad to talk about things that might happen? is it not better than sitting here and calling people names cuz they dont agree with your opinion?
I swear some of you just will never be happy unless everyones lips are chapped from kissing azz.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:53 am
Not to mention the articles has a lot to do with Free and FA next year. I think its fair to talk about it if that happens, and its not like its completely off topic. Sheesh
August 8th, 2013 at 10:54 am
^^^exactly
August 8th, 2013 at 11:06 am
It’s a team sport period. Freeman isn’t going anywhere at all. I’m also in Bonzai’s corner MY Bucs should have never drafted Glennon, and focused on the DL. Waited to next draft to try and get a QB. I seriously don’t think Freeman’s going to be the probem this season. I’ve already stated before. He’s going to light it up this season, then Dom’s going to be caught in pickle. Maybe they saw something special in Glennon pre-draft, or they just want to put the heat on Freeman. Kind of silly though if it’s the latter. Meh it’s all silly banter to me anyways, because afterall like I said he’s going to light it up.
Light it up does not mean I’m a blind homer either. Anyone that thinks that can go ef themselves.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:17 am
Freeman is no Tom Brady, but even the Pats picked up a QB in the 3rd round a few years back. Different scenarios in the organization, but similar approach to the team. Draft a reasonable back up that can be used when needed. Whether that be on the field to back up, or eventually replace the incumbent starter.
I believe that the Packers did the same thing when they had Favre and picked up A-A-Ron Rodgers.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:19 am
He’s going to light it up this season, then Dom’s going to be caught in pickle.
——————————————————————-
If that is the case and Free lights it up this year and Glennon shows promise, thats a good problem to have right? I dont see that as a mistake as that benefits us in several different ways.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:20 am
To tell you the truth though, I don’t think Freeman feels any pressure at all. Which can be a bad thing or a good thing. I’m just going by his past statements about it being contract year and all. Doesn’t sound like he thinks about it to me. Either it’s a lack of caring (ala Ryan Leaf) or he has that much confidence in himself. In 2011 he would smile and almost chuckle when he threw a pick. That shyte used to piss me off. I think that’s just who he is. Unflappable, maybe too unflappable when bad shyte starts to happen. Either way I still think they (MY Bucs) are going to fix him.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:23 am
Couch Fan money-wise it’s not a good problem to have. As some people in here are saying thye wil have to restructure other players contracts or even let some people go. That’s what I meant by caught in a pickle.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:29 am
You said the Bucs should have never drafted Glennon.
When it comes to the salary cap. Dom has more than proven himself capable of being able to work stuff out. I have no worries when it comes to the salary cap… I think that is the one area that nobody can dispute that Dom is great at. But yes it would present a small problem but again that really has nothing to do with Glennon or the Glennon 3rd round pick as that is all on Freeman.
Basically we would have that problem regardless of whether we took Glennon or not.
You said you thought the pick was a mistake.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:30 am
Im sorry you said you thought we should have never drafted him.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:31 am
grr not typing well this morning. to excited for the game tonight
August 8th, 2013 at 11:32 am
Couch Fan you are already on the team bandwagon your a Bucs fan. What I meant last night was you are not allowed on the Freeman bandwagon if he starts to light it up. No sir, don’t even try it.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:35 am
lol thats ok as long as im on the Bucs wagon thats all I care about, that and getting back in the playoffs
August 8th, 2013 at 11:42 am
Yah unless they saw something special in Glennon, they maybe should have waited and drafted a solid QB next season. Because if the national analysts are right and the Bucs are only going to win 5-6 games this season. The pick could be high. Of course I don’t believe in the national analysts. I have many reasons for it too. #1 reason is they can’t possibly break down all 32 teams and get it right. So my own point is kind of moot. I just saw a much more important need on the DL. It’s not my call anyways, it’s out of our hands.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:42 am
@Couch
What if Freeman lights it up this year but the defense let’s the team down again. Will you be screaming for a QB change?
August 8th, 2013 at 11:50 am
If Freeman plays well enough to disserve to stay then no. I dont hate the guy, I just dont think he has played well enough consistently at this point in his career to give an extension. If he plays consistent (which in my opinion means minimal turning the ball over and no late season melt down). Then extend him. Has nothing to do with the defense.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:53 am
And if he could somehow find a way to play from the beginning of the game. I think he would be elite.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:55 am
Let’s just call this season right now. 2013 The year of no excuses.
August 8th, 2013 at 11:59 am
I been the one in here saying all summer Freeman’s going to light it up this year. If he proves me wrong. That’s just going to piss me off, I don’t like being wrong. I’ll be at the airport waving goodbye to him. Matter of fact if he needs a ride to the terminal I’ll pick him up and drive him.
August 8th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Dom said repeatedly they stick to their board and avoid drafting strictly for need. They said Glennon was simply too good of a value to not take him where they did. Later on they talked about how having a late draft pick at QB saves the team a lot of cap space as instead of paying Orlovsky the likes of $1 to $2 million they can just pay Glennon a quarter of that for the next 3 to 4 seasons.
I actually thought it was a great move. Belichick started the trend in New England with Mallet. Now Eli Manning has a young draft pick behind him. Another team took a quarterback late too (Don’t remember who.) Could become a new salary cap strategy, to spend late draft picks every four years on a QB.
August 8th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
One of the articles yesterday had an interview with Joe on it and, I cant remember which one said it, one of them said was talking about Myron and how he is always injured and cant believe he is still here and said something to the affects of “I’ll pull his hamstring for him”
Lol, I was crackin up listening to that and your last sentence just reminded me of it. Funny stuff
It was actually the host, Steve Duemig, who offered to pull Myron’s hamstring. –Joe
August 8th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Yah I wise not talking about money-wise with regards to Glennon. I was talking about team need wise. It’s okay though it could all work out in the end. Glennon might turn out to be better than Josh. Who knows? The journey to figuring that all out starts tonight.
I can’t believe I’m actually finally going to be sitting in my seats in 7 hrs. Is this Christmas?
August 8th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
wise=was…damn it I type better when I’m drunk. smh
August 8th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
So if I read this correctly, La Canfora believes that if JF continues to be the same disappointment as the last few years and The Bucs let him walk some other team will be so desperate or foolish as to sign him to a huge contract even after he could not be successful with the talent that the Bucs have now….. I’d HATE to be a fan of that team…. That sounds to me like a Looser mentality…
That could be a major factor in why that team would be in such desperation as to signing a proven project to a big contract!
The Bucs have 1 of 2 options to get out of this mess: JF somehow suddenly transforms into a dependable QB (that would be miraculous but great) OR someone truly gifted at QB position come along and make JF obsolete to where the Bucs have NO concern nor care as to where JF goes and what he may or may not accomplish…. Hopefully 1 of these happens sooner rather than latter!
August 8th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
@Couch
As much as I loathe Myron Lewis’s play, I don’t hate him as a person, and I thought it was unprofessional when Steve Duemig said he would like to pull his hamstring for him. That’s an insult broadcasted across the national airwaves. We all pretty much know including Duemig that Myron will probably not make the team, and it sure doesn’t help that a local radio sports personality slanders the guy. Duemig’s insult could have damaging effects on Myrons future possibilities in the NFL, and trust me he doesn’t need the help, especially when he could land on a team in our own division. Granted it was funny, but unprofessional. IMO
August 8th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
@Couch
As much as I loathe Myron Lewis’s play, I don’t hate him as a person, and I thought it was unprofessional when Duemig said he would like to pull his hamstring for him. That’s an insult broadcasted across the national airwaves. We all pretty much know including Duemig that Myron will probably not make the team, and it sure doesn’t help that a local radio sports personality slanders the guy. Duemig’s insult could have damaging effects on Myrons future possibilities in the NFL, and trust me he doesn’t need the help, especially when he could land on a team in our own division. Granted it was funny, but unprofessional. IMO
August 8th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Yah Tye …miraculous. It’s going to be a miracle huh? You people crack me up.
August 8th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
You just can’t fix stupid!
August 8th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Tye…The NFL is full of QBs that put up numbers like Freeman. They all believe they have the ability to get all of his upside out of him as well. His agent would point at the revolving door of coaches and the crazy bad defense, and then show them his stats. Of course another team will pick him up, we have seen it for years with many QBs with less than Freeman has to offer. What would be miraculous for a young QB to realize his potential? No one has ever doubted his talent level. I feel like he is going to hit his stride this year, same offense, same WRs, same RB, healthy lineman (for the most part). You can call all of the past reasons excuses, but they really do effect the team.
August 8th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
@Couch…If Freeman finally lights it up an a game to game basis, and the Bucs are winning, I will gladly extend a hand and pull you up onto the Freeman bandwagon.
August 8th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
I don’t think any of you people are true BUCCANEER FANS
Have u people thought of how tough the division is? Have u thought of all the different Offences Freeman has had to learn. Give the kid a fuckin break. There aren’t any better QB’s out there to replace Freeman and u don’t think everyone else struggles in the NFC SOUTH? Give ur heads a shake. A true BUCCANEER fan wouldn’t talk all this shit about there team.
August 8th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
Yah McBuc….and I’m going to slap your hand away.
August 8th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Lol thank ya McBuc!
August 8th, 2013 at 2:40 pm
@jarret…calm down man. All of us are true Bucs fans. Some of us just have a difference of opinion on a certain QB that’s all. In the end we all want the same thing, and that’s the playoffs. People will soon find out that I’m right about #5 and all of this come to a halt. Then we can become one big happy family of Buc fans.
It’s still does mean that Couch Fan, the_realist, and Mean D are allowed on the Freeman bandwagon though. I’ve read enough to have my reasons for it. It’s fine they don’t see it the way I see it. That’s one thing, but they continue to act like he’s the 2nd coming of Shaun King or Dilfer. BTW I used to defend BJ like hell in AOL chat back in the day. Just as much as I do Freeman, because I know what the hell I’m talking about. I get Couch Fan though he just wants to see more consistency from a QB (Freeman) that has so much potential. He’s going to get what he wants this season. Despite his doubts.
August 8th, 2013 at 2:57 pm
“I can’t believe I’m actually finally going to be sitting in my seats in 7 hrs. Is this Christmas?”
Ha… when it’s 95 degrees out and you find yourself sweating bullets… ask yourself that question again. 🙂
August 8th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Buc Fan #238 …it better not be 95 degrees at 8:00 pm tonight.
August 8th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
I have been to several preseason games… and let me just say, although 95 degrees is an obvious exaggeration, the August preseason games are a steam bath.
August 8th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Yah I’m sure it is. The humidity is going suck with the light showers coming in too.
August 8th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
McBuc…”Of course another team will pick him up, we have seen it for years with many QBs with less than Freeman has to offer.”
I Never said that JF wouldn’t be signed by another team but that signing him to a huge contract with the way his career has gone lately and adding in him faultering throughout this season (which we are pondering future events because of this article) would be a bad move for whatever team…
Questioning the huge contract concept not if JF will get pickedup by another team!… I think that he will make a great backup… His inconsistencies is what hurts him in a starting role….