“It’s A Put Up Or Shut Up Year”
August 21st, 2013
While Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann hasn’t played in as many Super Bowls as Josh Freeman critic Fran Tarkenton, Theismann has something Tarkenton does not: a ring.
Theismann stopped in to chat on the local airwaves on the Ron and Ian show on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday and was bullish on Freeman, but Theismann admits there can’t be much more waiting around for him to develop.
“I think Josh can play, I believe he can play. I think it’s a very critical year for him, and I’m hoping it becomes a Joe Flacco type story,” Theisman said. “They’re [Bucs] in a division that is as top heavy with New Orleans with Sean Payton back and of course Atlanta. This is not an easy road, but I believe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of any team in the league have made great strides going forward. It’s a put up or shut up year.
“There is no question that this is an important year [for Freeman]. You have a new coach who’s continuing to evaluate you, and added weapons on the offensive side of the ball. The [quarterback] position is the most dependent position on the field. If you don’t have any talent around you, you’re dead in the water. This is a huge year for him. Huge year.”
Joe has written this before but the way the Mike Glennon Mob has freaked out the past few days because Freeman had a few incompletions, it bears repeating:
Joe believes Freeman will have a better year this season; maybe his best. He is in the second year in a complex offense. He knows how to work with last year’s newcomers Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin; and they him. He has all the toys. Now it’s time to use them.
To hear the full interview with Theisman, click the arrow below. As always, audio courtesy of Joe’s good friends at WDAE-AM 620.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:14 am
If JFro-6pak does not have a good showing in Miami, Tampa is going to go bananas! If you think that the sharks are out now. But I think Coach Schiano is loving this. It is a great test to see how mentally strong Josh is. It is week three in the preseason and it fells like a playoff atmosphere. It really could be win or go home for JFro-6pak.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:20 am
Im so tired of hearing the Joe Flacco story. Flacco has been in the playoffs every year, regardless of whatever reason you think thats due… the fact remains he has been in the playoffs every single year.
Freeman, has never been to the playoffs. EVER. If Freeman were to win the super bowl this year it would be a MUCH bigger story than Flacco. But thats not going to happen. How about we just concentrate on getting to the playoffs first. Apparently thats hard enough for Josh.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:22 am
LOL…I am not so sure Shiano is loving this. Did you see his presser yesterday. He seemed more than a little upset. Not sure if it is the players or maybe some internal friction going on. I just love to speculate on this one.
As far as Free goes, just be prepared for more of the same…jump balls versus hitting receivers in stride and staring down receivers. Not to mention holding on to the ball too long.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:22 am
Theismann has a much more reasonable interview. He said a few things I think Josh should really keep in mind. He also remembers that Flacco still had to prove him instead of being old and grumpy. He’s also spot on about our team lacking depth and our need to remain healthy. I just wish Dom got that memo before he started letting people walk.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:24 am
@Scotty
Whats wrong with jump balls? That’s the main trick we have up our sleeves, especially when it comes to Mike Williams.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:25 am
I think your right. I think shiano is loving this. Its almost as if he asked bilechick to send the wolves after josh and Glennon the first part of the game to see how they handled it mentally. That’s pure speculation on my part but it wouldn’t surprise me
August 21st, 2013 at 9:27 am
I agree with the assessment laid out by Theisman. But the question remains, what is plan B. If Josh does struggle does that mean we cut ties and move Glennon in as the number 1? I do not see any better options out there. If we go to Glennon are we ready for another 2-3 years of development and most likely no playoffs? I am cautiously optimistic Josh has a good year but do not have anything better than a feeling to state that opinion.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:27 am
@Couch Fan
Flacco did nothing to get into the playoffs besides be on a team with a good defense. He also didn’t do all that much in the playoffs until this years. Even then, he needed a few lucky breaks here and there.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:31 am
@Stranger
Dont really care for reasonings why he has been in the playoffs every year. The fact remains he made it every year.
Freeman has not been that fortunate. So the comparisons are way off. And if Freeman somehow won the super bowl…. his story would be MUCH bigger.
There really is no comparison to be made.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:34 am
I just dont think its accurate to compare Freeman (who has done nothing) to a super bowl winner…. heck if thats the case, let’s just compare him to Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, and all the super bowl winners.
Let’s worry about gettin to the playoffs for the first time before we start hoping for a “Flacco story”
August 21st, 2013 at 9:35 am
@couch fan the buccaneers as a team has had trouble getting to the playoffs. I wouldn’t put lack of playoffs all on Freeman but if we are going to make it back Freeman needs to step up. @realist I agree. I’m glad this “test” is happening in the preseason because if this was the regular season we would all be calling for Glennon. This is an important preseason game for Freeman, the test of where he is as a quarterback that we have seen since the end of last season
August 21st, 2013 at 9:36 am
Just dont see the logic in comparing Freeman to a super bowl winner, regardless of why you think the man won a super bowl doesn’t change the fact he won it.
I rather worry about just making the playoffs first. Something Freeman has yet to do. Then we can start hoping for “Flacco Story” since everyone seems to be so enamored with comparing him to.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:36 am
People forget the ravens offered Flacco an extension. Joe bet on himself. Joe also won a playoff game each of the last 5 years including 3 afc title games and a Super Bowl.
Freeman isn’t even in the class of joe Flacco or Matt Ryan. This is a joke to put him in that conversation.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:36 am
I dont know Joe. The way Josh and Martin ran into each other in that 1st series just made me smdh. I dont know which of them messed up, but my money is on Josh. He just looked lost.
Well, if he’s “looking lost” again Saturday, bench him and give Glennon some much needed reps for experience.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:37 am
Im not putting it all on Freeman. But has Freeman made the playoffs yet? No he hasent. Again regardless of the reasons (excuses?) why, this is a fact. And all I’m saying is lets get to the playoffs first before making comparisons to super bowl winners who haven proven there mettle.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:40 am
@Couch Fan
Sure there. Two big bodied, big armed quarterbacks who have tendencies to struggle and make mistake have to prove themselves in a contract. Flacco and Freeman match up pretty well. The difference being that Flacco has a GM with a good track record and, until this year, a proven defense. If Freeman tanks, then their paths will have been split completely. But if we get a playoff birth, expect there to be plenty of Flacco mentions.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:41 am
@couch fan absolutely. If your comparing him to Flacco it’s more on ability than it is on accomplishments. Flacco has accomplished more and though he may not have been the best regular season qb, he is outstanding in big games. If his receiver could hold on to a pass two years ago he would have made it to the Super Bowl that year too. Freeman isn’t even close in that aspect, but he has all the tools and chances this year to prove everyone wrong and earn a new contract
August 21st, 2013 at 9:42 am
@Ian620 WDAE
Joe would do well to listen your Andrew Luck comparison just this morning. Agree completely with how Luck sets up his body, looks off the secondary and throws the strike. Freeman has not done this…ever.
His play just does not make those around him better.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:44 am
@Mad Max
Why do you automatically assume the QB who gets the playcall and can sometimes adjust said playcall doesn’t know what they were supposed to be running?
August 21st, 2013 at 9:48 am
Lots of question marks across the board for a team that limped down the stretch 1-5.
Josh is but one of them.
Schiano and his staff is another.
Huge pass rush issues, injury plagued oline, counting on an ACL recoverer to cure the secondary that was horrible last year, etc. etc.
Not sure where folks are getting this team on the rise stuff. one of the leagues worst in second half of last year. We shall see soon enough. Perhaps I’m missing it.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:59 am
@Biff he has done it plenty of times. If Freeman didn’t know how to do that he wouldn’t be a starting quarterback. I’ve seen tons of highlights of him looking off receivers. His problem is consistently doing it correctly but let’s not make it seem like he has never done or is incapable of doing it
August 21st, 2013 at 10:01 am
Yall are terrible fans this couch guy must be lazy mofo redkneck and be the ring master. Yall hadm me worried but now every things ok cause you dont want Free and yall wanna start a rookie. NOLA will kick your Bucs azz an yall wife beatin redknecks can get beat evry time. dumb
August 21st, 2013 at 10:01 am
Bucs picked up rian Lindell !
August 21st, 2013 at 10:02 am
To me its all about accomplishments. The Flacco comparison in this article wasnt about ability it was about accomplishments.
—————
“I think Josh can play, I believe he can play. I think it’s a very critical year for him, and I’m hoping it becomes a Joe Flacco type story,”
————————————————–
A Flacco type story, which basically is Flacco making the playoffs every year (I believe he even won his division a time or 2) only to come up short Every time with a fan base slowly turning against him, until he finally wins it all.
Thats an accomplishment.
Freeman’s story is much different. It would be along the lines of… a supremley talented underachiever who through 4 years has only had 1 winning season and a 4000 yard season, with no playoff appearances on his resume, with a frustrated fan base rapidly turning against him before miraculously leading his team to a super bowl victory.
Do these stories sound similiar? Lol not to me
August 21st, 2013 at 10:06 am
Yall are terrible fans this couch guy must be lazy mofo redkneck and be the ring master. Yall hadm me worried but now every things ok cause you dont want Free and yall wanna start a rookie. NOLA will kick your Bucs azz an yall wife beatin redknecks can get beat evry time. dumb
———————————————-
Lmao we got a aints fan with us today gentlemen!
August 21st, 2013 at 10:08 am
So an Aints fan wants us to keep Freeman…. Hmm…. Wonder why? Lol
August 21st, 2013 at 10:08 am
Nothing more hilarious than people thinking preseason results mean the slighest bit of anything. It needs to be week 1 already so we can get on with reality.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:12 am
I couldn’t even read the whole thread, and I felt too inspired to back up Couch Fan.
Not only has Joe Flacco been to the playoffs each year, but he has also won a playoff game every year.
There is no comparison. Winner vs. Loser.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:13 am
laugh all you wants cause yall to ignorant to know whats best for yall. most of yall aint got the commen sense God gave yall. You mofo are like sheeps. Free had NOLA fans worried but yall dont start him we will eat your rookie for sure. Yall sorry azz gonna be last in the division if Free don’t play. That ok with NOLA fans we aint scared.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:15 am
Freeman needs to show up against Miami this week.
another 2/3 8 yds and 3 sacks will be unispiring.
Freeman needs to show us he has turned the corner from the last 6 games of last year.
Freeman needs to come out, act like he is 6’5” with a rocket arm, no more twinkle toeing around, assert yourself as a “winner” or step aside.
The sharks are circling, and either Freeman or the Glennon Mob will continue to develop. It is win win.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:15 am
LOL…Aints fan with the grammar issues. GO FIGURE!!!
August 21st, 2013 at 10:16 am
^ Nola Fan,
Is this a bounty?
August 21st, 2013 at 10:19 am
Free had NOLA fans worried
————————————
was that before or after the 41-0 beat down you gave us?
August 21st, 2013 at 10:19 am
you can make fun of my talkin all day if yall want at the end of the day your sorry azz white redknecks will be under my big black NOLA love stick. Yall sorry you aint no real fans
August 21st, 2013 at 10:20 am
@Stranger, thats going in a different direction from what I was referring to in the Martin exchange. I didnt say he doesnt know what they’re supposed to be running. Im pointing to his movements and reactions, which has nothing to do with his knowledge of the play call, but everything to do with the speed of his decision making.
Maybe he was lost on what lane to be in while backing up to hand off to Martin. I dont know. Its a guess I made based on what I saw from Josh that day.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:24 am
Haha aints fan trying to judge character. I guess if we want to have your character we should just rape and pillage the whole city when a storm goes through and blame the guvment when we cant take care of our own damn selves. Oh and maybe we could go get ourselves one of those new fan-dangled stadiums with no electricity on the biggest stage in the country
August 21st, 2013 at 10:24 am
When a team’s rally cry is “who dat” it speaks volumes about the intelligence, or lack thereof, of the fans of that team!
August 21st, 2013 at 10:26 am
Hey bucfanSucks! You must be a lonely young man, with no education, and a low self esteem if you have to resort to personal attacks over the Internet! You don’t have the character to be here if you can’t debate football with some class. But ill play ball!!! Personal stats & excuses aside, I think it’s crazy that in a division where 3 out of 4 teams ended with the SAME record you can still profess being better than the bucs? Ya’ll won 7 games last year.. Just like the bucs & the panthers!!! Now, the last time I checked the # in the W column is the only thing that has real value when it’s all said and done; so, in reality the saints and bucs are equal until this season starts!
August 21st, 2013 at 10:27 am
cat got yall tungue you peolpe act like a mob yall dont apreciat nothing yes woried with all that fire powr Free has now makes some us NOLa fans wory. Start that skinny long neck guy weil crush yall.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:28 am
Oh no, a racist retard trolling….get outta here BOAHHY!!
August 21st, 2013 at 10:28 am
I fully believe and expect the Aints to be a good team this year. 2nd best in our division in fact. Bucs will be NFCS champs despite Freeman!
August 21st, 2013 at 10:29 am
lmao @ Skinny long neck guy
August 21st, 2013 at 10:31 am
Cajun Buffoon,
If I had the 3rd grade education you have with the awful spelling and grammar skills I’d stay off of blog posts. Everything they say about NO is true – stupid people everywhere.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:38 am
Wow. This site is more and more like old women bickering.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:40 am
“you peolpe act like a mob yall dont apreciat nothing yes woried with all that fire powr Free has now makes some us NOLa fans wory. Start that skinny long neck guy weil crush yall.”
Got to admit. That makes a lot of sense if you can decipher it
August 21st, 2013 at 10:40 am
I wish that a the JF5 bashing would stop. I know all the peope bashing know more about football than the coaches. The fact he is our QB and I’m a bucs fan so I’m rooting for him and the team. If you don’t like him root for some other team. You sound like jets fans
August 21st, 2013 at 10:41 am
This has got to be that aints fan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH4CWHI7W7g
August 21st, 2013 at 10:44 am
@bobby
lol, calling the kettle black
August 21st, 2013 at 10:47 am
Couch,
I understand your frustration with losing which I completely share in. To say that a QB must suck because a team doesn’t make it to the playoffs is off base. The Bucs must have had at least four or five different QB’s during their defensive dominance for that 10 years or so. They made the playoffs despite average or below average QB play. When a D is as dominate as the Bucs were or more recently the Ravens & Steelers; then the chance of making the playoffs goes way up. I’ll be the first to admit Freeman probably will never be elite to where you can compare him to Brady, Manning & Brees. The fact is though that Super Bowls can be won if you have a balanced team. To think that a QB can carry an entire team with a last place D is asking too much. Even the great Drew Brees Struggled with a last place D.
August 21st, 2013 at 10:54 am
@NY Bucs fan….
What is it with you people? We want to see our Bucs outperform our challengers and win games! GET IT!! I assume you want that too, right? So those of us who take time to care and watch and study the game and call out non performing, or under performing players, WILL DO SO!! In this case, its Josh! And you nancie’s get all in a hissy because your thin skin cant handle the criticism.
By all means, go start a friggin Josh Freeman fan blog so you and bucfan1987 and raphael and some others here can hold hands and sing kumbaya!
In the mean time, feel free to look over my posts if you dont like what Im saying….YES, IT IS THAT SIMPLE!!
August 21st, 2013 at 11:08 am
@stevek
Is our line going to block? Because if they play like they did against NE, I don’t want Freeman or Martin on the field.
August 21st, 2013 at 11:11 am
Max your right. We should all go to a game and just boo the team to wins. I know how good teams play when everyone is bashing them all the time. JF5 numbers are not that bad
August 21st, 2013 at 11:28 am
MadMax,
Good point. Buc1987 said he was leaving JBF. I think he came back as NY Bucs fan!
August 21st, 2013 at 11:34 am
If you study the game than you would know there are hight payed QBs out there that had more ints than JF5. And how may points a game did we give up. Bet there are only a few teams that scored more per game than we alowed. But I won’t cry about it. Because I know there is only one player out there losing the games
August 21st, 2013 at 11:38 am
Greg Schiano is a much bigger question mark than Josh.
Put another way Josh has proven his abilities to a far greater extent than Greg has.
So why is everyone obsessed at Josh? Dude is the best QB this team has ever drafted, except maybe Doug, who was REALLY erratic.
I don’t get it.
August 21st, 2013 at 11:44 am
@Eric
Not sure how you can compare an eratic 4 year player, who we’ve all had ample time to see an form an opinion on over a 2nd year coach which we’ve only got 1 season to go off of.
Dont see much logic in that comparison.
August 21st, 2013 at 11:51 am
JBF,
Thanks for surfacing Theismann’s interview. Seems like the local media have completely ignored these positive comments while focusing on Tarkenton’s “God Awful” remark.
Everyone knows controversy sells. Deumig didn’t say a word about Theismann’s accolades.
August 21st, 2013 at 11:54 am
@couch,
The man has played 75% of his professional career under Raheem Morris.
Where would he be under Sean Payton, Smith, Coughlin or someone else that knew what they were doing? How do we know Schiano has a clue other than wishful thinking? The QB/head coach tandem is a two way street for it to work.
Have the Bucs ever drafted a QB that played better than Josh? If so who?
August 21st, 2013 at 11:55 am
Man, people complain about these Freeman threads, but they are always the longest ones.
Josh Freeman is just like…Josh Freeman. He doesn’t have to be Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, or whoever else. He is his own man.
All he has to do is continue to improve as a quarterback. Last year, outside of two games, he was great. This year he needs to improve on that. He needs to avoid those 4 pick games and do what he did every other game last year.
And with an improved defense, we’ll win the games.
Then he can build on that. He doesn’t have to be elite, not ever, but he can work toward it year by year. All he really has to do is improve and avoid mistakes as much as possible.
And I don’t really care if he sets his feet or whatever. The old Josh tended to throw on the run and he did fine (2010). He needs to go back to being his old mobile self.
August 21st, 2013 at 11:57 am
As to his contract, it doesn’t really matter to me what he gets because it isn’t my money. But if I had to predict I would say he’ll get 70% to 75% of what Flacco got if he does better and wins the division.
August 21st, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Joe please remove the Aint fan – the racial and sexual content is out of pocket.
August 21st, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Saying “he’s the best QB we’ve ever had” means little when we’ve never had a good QB. Saying he’s the best we’ve ever had doesnt make him a good QB either. So I see no point in what you are saying. Unless you are trying to convince yourself he is actually good.
People are dealt crappy hands in life. Excuses can be made but the end result is that as of right now. He has not been very good. And that you can’t change.
What would Ryal Leaf be if he were coached by Bill Walsh or Vince Lombardi? You see I can ask silly questions to.
August 21st, 2013 at 12:21 pm
How do we know that Freeman is getting the best QB coaching available? Who really knows that fundamentals he’s working on – there’s a reason for his gross inaccuracies in passing?
August 21st, 2013 at 12:25 pm
@ nybucsfan, I can speak for myself…so dont start putting words in my mouth just because Im not in a love fest, sniffing josh’s jock strap like you claim to love doing…..(I can put it right back at you boy).
I dont boo the team, moron, but I’ll criticize a player when I feel the need, and want, to do so. You’re not capable of mentally handling it, so nothing there I can assist you with……you’ve got to work on those problems yourself, just like Josh must work on his mental problems.
Trust me, I want to see him tear the field up, still hope he does. But Im going to be cautious over my confidence in him leading this team for now….and others seem to agree. Thats why Glennon was picked in the 3rd.
August 21st, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Mr. Couch it seems that any though other than Josh Freeman sucks is a silly idea to you.
And apparently no other factors can be responsible for our playoff woes other than Josh Freeman.
I happen to believe there is a lot more to it. And since you are conceeding he is the best player we have drafted perhaps we should give the man a bit more time before we ship him off.
I’m not sure Manning or Montana could have led those pitifully coached Raheem teams to the playoffs.
August 21st, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Ryan Leaf had no work ethic and succumbed to the temptations of drugs.
August 21st, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Rams’ LB Laurinaitis once said that the Bucs are pretty transparent in the plays that they run on offense- Dexter Jackson Bucs SB MVP said that some QBs give away their plays very easily – sometimes the last player the QB looks at while under the center usually gets the ball. You have to wonder if Josh is one of those QBs that defenses can read very easily. It sure seems that way.
August 21st, 2013 at 12:58 pm
@Eric
Correction any thought other than Josh Freeman has sucked up to this point is a fair statement. Who knows what he will do this season. But all I can go on is what I’ve seen in the past…. which you clearly want to forget about and make excuses for.
I can make excuses for any player that wasnt very good… that doesnt change the fact they weren’t very good now does it? Nope. And in this case is no exception. Just because Freeman is a Buccaneer doesnt give him any special credit.
I’m not sure how judging him on his past is “shipping him off”. And even if I wanted to, It’s not like I have any choice in the matter. But I’m still gonna give my opinion. Feel Free to skip over my posts if constructive criticism is to much for you.
August 21st, 2013 at 1:05 pm
I love the irony when people give Freeman a pass for his “Raheem” years due to questionable coaching. It is because of Raheem coaching at K-State that led him to want to draft Freeman. Freeman would not be a Buccaneer if not for Raheem, so that argument is silly for those of you who are enamored with Freeman.
August 21st, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Constructive criticism is an oxymoron. Some people just find it easier to criticize than to praise.
I saw a group of men in my hometown.
I saw a group of men tearing a building down.
With a heave and a ho and mighty yell,
They swung a beam and the sidewalk fell.
And I said to the foreman, \”Are these men skilled,
The type you would hire if you wanted to build?\”
And he laughed and said, \”Why, no indeed.\”
He said, \”Common labor is all I need.
For I can tear down in a day or two
What it took a builder ten years to do.\”
And I thought to myself as I walked away,
\”Which of these roles am I going to play?
Am I the type that constantly tears down
As I make my way, foolishly around?
Or am I the type that’s trying to build with care,
In hope that my organization will be glad I was there?\”
Lou Holtz
August 21st, 2013 at 1:25 pm
“But all I can go on is what I’ve seen in the past.”
Let me ask you this: Is it possible to take what you’ve seen in the past, look at some evidence and have a conclusion based on everything?
Or how bout this: The last 3 years the defense has been getting worse and worse. Does that mean we can only go by what we’ve seen in the past and assume the defense will be worse than last year?
Josh Freeman will progress this year. He will still have his deficiencies, I’m sure of that. But looking at all the evidence provided not just one piece of it shows there will be progression.
I mean hell, we are all talking about how bad he was against the pats, but he threw for 66%. That’s good right? lol ok that part was just a joke
August 21st, 2013 at 1:28 pm
“Constructive criticism is an oxymoron.”
Only to someone who views the world through rose colored glasses
August 21st, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Couch I may be one of the most critical posters in JBF history. Fire away my friend that’s what makes this place fun.
But 4000+ yards and 27 touchdowns does not suck. Especially when he has also had a season with a 25/6 td/int ratio.
That stuff cannot be done by a guy who sucks.
August 21st, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Lets band together mateys…rrrrr We have a intruder in our mist.
You Aint fan we packing round here to bum! You aint said sh!t slicker then a can of oil. Dont make me rag on you slow mo. Boy you straight off the yellow bus re re. You come to the game around some monsters you might get crushed. Go beastmode and take it off road ya bumpy face toad. I call haters like you hobos ya country corny caramel pieve of sh!t.
Stop arguing amongst each other and make that fudger WALK THE PLAMK!!!
August 21st, 2013 at 1:35 pm
The amazing thing about you lightning is I don’t have to make you look stupid, you do well enough on your own saying stupid crap like that on a public forum. Keep drinking the hatorade.
August 21st, 2013 at 1:45 pm
@Eric
On one hand I agree with you. Looking on paper his numbers are impressive. But watching him play in games is something totally different. That’s why I dont like basing my opinions solely on stats.
@Chef
What evidence are you looking at that shows Freeman progressing?
@Junkie
What are we suppose to praise Freeman for? 4000 yards? WOOOHOOO. 1 winning season in 4 years? WOW, so impressed with that feat. Give the fans something legitimate to praise and this guy would be royalty in this town.
I dont need to praise him, your lips are on his @$$ cheeks enough for all of us. Lol
August 21st, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Buc Junkie,
Aren’t you the pot calling the kettle black about hate, after your hate attack on Joe and the lies you spewed about him? Then you come back with some lame ass Lou Holtz (who cheated, by the way) inspirational poem to cover for the hatred you spread yesterday.
August 21st, 2013 at 2:03 pm
The regular season cannot get here quick enough, I’m so tired of all this empty banter, the perfect tonic for all this bitchin and bickering is for the season to start already!
August 21st, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Couch,
I would love to answer your question but unfortunately I have not received an answer from you yet.
August 21st, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Chef Paul Says:
August 21st, 2013 at 1:25 pm
“But all I can go on is what I’ve seen in the past.”
Let me ask you this: Is it possible to take what you’ve seen in the past, look at some evidence and have a conclusion based on everything?
^^^ What are you asking?
Freeman has regressed since 2010.
The Defense was horrible last year, but overall pretty bad in year’s past.
What is upsetting the fan base, and having numerous ex-QBs give criticism, is that Freeman has loads of physical talent, but it shows up half the time.
Good QBs are not coin flips, and we need more from Freeman.
The Defense was bad, horrible even, but to let that excuse the inconsistent play of our QB, whom of which I thought would rise into a star by now.
56 starts, and if it is an 8-8 year, why not shake up the QB situation?
5 year rebuilds are bogus. Our Salary Cap in years’ past was bogus. Is our starting QB bogus?
Sorry Freeman, I hate to put some pressure on you like this, but STEP UP!
August 21st, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Couch Fan,
I am not sure that Freeman is progressing.
“Franchise best marks in yards and TDs is great”, but what about the 54% completion percentage? What about the NFL leading 39 INTs in the last two years?
Freeman looked great for 6 games last year, too bad it wasn’t enough to take this team to the playoffs.
Is Josh Freeman able to perform consistently? That is the 100 million dollar question.
August 21st, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Couch Fan,
I am not sure that Freeman is progressing.
“Franchise best marks in yards and TDs is great”, but what about the 54% completion percentage? What about the NFL leading 39 INTs in the last two years?
Freeman looked great for 6 games last year, too bad it wasn’t enough to take this team to the playoffs.
Is Josh Freeman able to perform consistently? That is the 100 million dollar question.
August 21st, 2013 at 3:42 pm
stevek,
First I would like to start by saying everything you said I agree with 100%
If we go 8-8 or 9-7 I don’t think we should give Free an extension. Hell, even if we make the playoffs, I don’t necessarily think we should extend. Only if we beat teams we shouldn’t beat and it’s from him playing really good do I feel an extension is warrented. Even then I don’t think it should be 100 mil. That’s just too much IMO. 60-70 mil? Maybe.
It’s just that when I look at this improved defense I think Freeman shouldn’t have to force very many throws, which will bring his ints down. I know its called an excuse but they do effect each other. It’s not like I think The defense was the ONLY reason he struggled last year, I just think it does have SOME effect.
Then I see a second year in a complicated offensive scheme I think he’ll be able to think a little faster. Which you would think would make him a little better. Jackson and Williams will be able to think a little faster too. Meaning they should be on the same page more often.
Then we have Freeman in a contract year. We have Schiano saying he is having a solid camp.
But to be clear: I don’t Freeman will go out and have 5500 yards and 40 tds with 2 ints. But when you put all that together my math shows improvement.
Ronde said he can’t put this team on his back and win games. I can’t help but agree with that because he proved last year he couldn’t do that when that was the only was to win games.
Do I think he will stare down his receivers still? Probably. There is no evidence yet that he will quit doing that. It’s not that I think he’s elite. Like I said yesterday, he doesn’t have to be elite with this improved team
August 21st, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Couch, I couldn’t disagree more.
First, best quarterback in Bucs history does mean something, especially when his passing yards put him in the top 10 last year.
Eric already pointed out the other things. But you say Freeman is not fun to watch. I completely disagree with that statement. Last year was the most fun I’ve had watching the Bucs since the superbowl year. Garcia was entertaining, but he was nowhere near as good as Freeman.
And the Bucs have had some good QBs. They just didn’t become good until AFTER they left. Because Tampa is not patient enough with their QBs. Dilfer was barely good, but he was good enough to win a Superbowl. Testiverde Did great after he left. Steve Young did fantastic after he left. Doug Williams was good. Won a Superbowl after leaving.
While it’s true that there were guys like Craig Ericson, Chris Simms (or Mike Glennon, I get the two confused), Luke McCown and others, not all Tampa QBs were duds.
Were do you think the quarterback curse came from??? It rose because Tampa gave up on QBs TOO SOON.
August 21st, 2013 at 7:15 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai
If I had to pick ONE Bucs QB to win ONE game for me I would have picked Jeff Garcia. The guy was a gamer and tough as nails. Garcia made plays with his feet and gave the Bucs a huge weapon.
The Bucs MAJOR mistake was letting him walk and signing Byron Leftwich. They should have kept Garcia, let him start and let Freeman see what a real leader does on the field. Free would have had a mobile, tough veteran quarterback to mold himself after.
Sorry… Garcia is HANDS DOWN a better quarterback than Freeman. Who would YOU want to win YOUR game …… AGAINST A TEAM WITH A WINNING RECORD??
August 22nd, 2013 at 6:37 am
Hello from Gelan, Afghanistan. I remember when Scott Milanovich was the most popular QB in town. Always had a couple of “Ooooh-Aaah!” moments in camp but couldn’t even land a starting gig in NFL Europe.
August 22nd, 2013 at 8:39 am
Who cares about the 54% completion? Would you rather he complete 10 more check downs out of every 100 passes and bring it up to 64% but not score any points????