Look For More Rollouts From Freeman
August 6th, 2013
Joe noticed something new the past couple of days (no, not just the upgrade in Bucs cheerleaders this season). Monday and today, Joe noticed several designed rollouts by Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman.
Last season, Bucs coach Greg Schiano all but forbade Freeman to roll out, for twofold reasons: Schiano didn’t want to see Freeman hurt, and Schiano was desperately trying to cut down on Freeman’s picks from the previous hideous season, in which Freeman played Santa Claus way too often.
So Joe had to chance to chat with Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan after practice and asked if the rollouts are a new wrinkle this year, or if they were already part of his playbook, just not utilized last season.
“It is in [the offensive package] and we had some success when we moved the launch point of him whether it is a pure sprint out or we are actually faking the ball, or have him naked and move it around,” Sullivan said of Freeman’s rollouts. “It is such a great complement, especially if you can run the ball. Any time you don’t set up in-between those guards, the defense always talks about getting to them off the spot. Well, if we can beat them to the punch and take them off the spot it helps. It is something we have done and we will continue to incorporate that into our package.”
Bravo. The season Freeman blew up, 2010, he often rolled out and hit receivers, Mike WIlliams, Sgt. Winslow or Arrelious Benn, for big gains. Home runs. It was almost as if Freeman was more comfortable throwing on the run than staying in the pocket.
Freeman has serious wheels for a big quarterback. Why not try to utilize those skills to generate some offense? Joe believes this is a smart move by Sullivan.
August 6th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
THIS is great news. I think we all can agree Free seems to be much better when he is on the move.
August 6th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
I like what I hear. There were quite a few opportunities to extend plays last year if Josh has rolled out of the pocket. This will be good for our offense as long as he’s smart about getting down and throwing OB when he needs to.
August 6th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Now they’re talkin’. They must have looked at those 2010 tapes. No stone unturned, that’s Schiano. Having Freeman rolling out is going to keep D’s off balance, especially if he tries to run now and again. The offense could become lethal this season.
Thanks Joe, that was the best news I’ve read in a month on here.
August 6th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
FINALLY!
August 6th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
I just hope they do it a good amount. This is 6 flags strength.
August 6th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
I totally agree!
August 6th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
This is great. I’ve been saying this for the longest: BRING BACK FAT FREEMAN!
August 6th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Took them long enough to figure that out. He makes plays when he is on the move. Harder for the DB’s to read his eyes and they have to respect his ability to run.
August 6th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
I’m friggin ecstatic…I won’t shut up about it at home. I’m driving my wife nuts. Going over it in my head envisioning it with the weapons we have now vs 2010. LETHAL!
August 6th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Bucs “franchise” quarterback Josh Freeman.
@ robert that sentence must drive you CRAZY.
August 6th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Bucs 1987 sounds like you need to get a job
August 6th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
^^^^ you really need to get out more.
August 6th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
This is great news. I don’t believe that not rolling out was the cause for all of Freemans ails but it will help.
August 6th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
The great thing about Freeman is when he rolls out he can still stretch the ball down the field. Evidence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1VogoHOrow
August 6th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
@ buc1987 don’t feed the retarded troll..
I really believe this was really missing, he seemed handcuffed and told not to run last year.
August 6th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
LOL Raphael I know. I do get out quite a bit actually. Like Thursday night I’ll be at RJS cheering for Glennon.
August 6th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Gotta get to the playoffs.
Freeman needs to lead us to the playoffs, now or never as a Buc in 2013.
Roll outs, audibles and no excuses: sounds like the recipe to me.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Jeff…thanks for your liberal advice about how to live my life. Why don’t you worry about yourself and your liberal life? Do you think the $1,300 I shelled out for season tickets is the result of not having a job? Not that you need to know, but I work from home and yes I am an employer not an employee.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Seem to recall Freeman did a few designed roll-outs with success in the last game against Atlanta. Maybe that was a preview of things to come.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
I want him to but I don’t think Freeman needs to lead us to the playoffs. He will be judged on what he does on the field. He just needs to play well, the team will get us to the playoffs. To must blame and credit are always laid on the QB.
I think he will have a breakout season, but even if he does the anti-Freeman crowd will just say that he needs to show it for one more year….. I dont get haters.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
Yah but…Yah but…he can’t be a franchise QB … too inconsistant…too drunk …. too dressed like MJ …. too big …too small … too whatever …. start Glennon now!!!
August 6th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Lol gotta love people who try to act like the “haters” have no reason to think the way they do.
Mediocrity is acceptable to some I suppose.
August 6th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
Yeah , and those franchise records he set last were none of his doing, either. I guess it was just that V-Jax & M-Will simply reached out & pulled the ball right out of that fat jerk’s hands. The issue is not that we ‘accept mediocrity’ , as you put it, it’s rather that we, or at least I, hesitate to place all the blame on one person. I’m perfectly willing to agree that the team, as a whole was mediocre, or even downright horrible for large parts of the season. Just don’t like blaming one person. Likewise, I would hesitate to give any one person all the credit if things go well. Feel free to continue as you are, I’m well aware you’re never going to change.
August 6th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Couch Fan….I look at like this. The doubters always say stuff like the words “potential” doesn’t cut it anymore. Can you or anyone else name me another young Bucs QB that had any potential at all in the last 20 years? If so did they have as much potential as Freeman has? I’d say maybe Chris Simms, but I can’t think of one. Shaun King…not going there either. Maybe that’s why there are so many fans that still believe in him.
August 6th, 2013 at 4:53 pm
Lol I have no need to change. You are the one trying to degrade people who dont believe in Free. That wasn’t me….
So YOU continue to do you… I’ll just keep pointing out your inaccuracies.
August 6th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
Yes!!!!! Go ahead and throw the 4th meal at Taco Bell back into the mix. I miss 2010 Freeman a lot.
August 6th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@Buc1987
Free’s upside is tremendous. I dont think I’ve seen anyone say other wise. I dont think Simms was anywhere near Free’s potential. I dont think we’ve had anyone with his kind of potential period. But after 4 playoff less seasons and continued inconsistant play along with back to back late season melt downs and 1 good year on his resume which was 2 or 3 years ago… thats disappointing. Dont care how bad the team around him is.
Im not bashing anyone for believeing in him. I’m only speaking for the people who try to degrade the ones, like me, who arent sold on him
August 6th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Degrade people? That’s harsh. You must have me confused with Walter. I don’t even want use the word haters anymore, that’s why I’m sticking to the word doubters.
Can you answer the question though?
Can you or anyone else name me another young Bucs QB that had any potential at all in the last 20 years?
August 6th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
well there ya go I knew you had in you.
August 6th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
@Couch Fan…So I degrade you now? Of course I’m going to defend my POV on Freeman. I’ve always had a problem with that my whole life, meaning I’m always right and everyone else is wrong. It’s just that I usually land on the right side more often than not. I did not realize I did it in such a degrading manner. Unless of course your name is Robert Glennon jr.
I’ve also stated on past threads that you and Stevek are the most misunderstood bloggers in here. People do attack you guys like a pack of wolves. I usually get where you 2 are coming from. I’m not a wolf.
August 6th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
lol wasnt talking to you Buc was talking to Fritz
August 7th, 2013 at 5:41 am
1987: To respond to your question about young QB’s with potential the past 20 years. In my view, only Vinny Testaverde and Doug Williams had the potential of Josh Freeman, but they were before your time-frame. Oh, there were some fans who had hope for Trent Dilfer, Shaun “Smoothie” King and Chris Simms and maybe even Luke McCown and Josh Johnson the past 20 years. But in my view, we have never had a QB with the talent of # 5 in spite of his flaws so adeptly pointed out by Robert. We always made attempts to get something out of re-treads like Steve Spurrier, Gary Huff, Chris Chandler, Jack Thompson, Steve DeBerg and others who had limited success. But Josh Freeman has a greater upside than anyone we have had the past 20 years.
August 7th, 2013 at 6:46 am
This would have been nice to see the last 2yrs.