Freeman Says Offense Is “Not That Far Away”
September 20th, 2013
Joe watched the Bucs game against the Saints, and like most sober and non-sober Bucs fans, Joe was sickened by the ineptitude of Tampa Bay’s offense that scored just seven points.
Yes, the running game was effective, but there was no rhythm to the offense and the missing threats at No. 3 receiver and tight end was glaring.
But Bucs players see things differently. A few days removed from the 16-14 loss, optimism abounds at One Buc Palace. Lakeland Ledger beat writer Rick Brown took notes.
“I think we’re real close,” said Ogletree, who has one catch for 5 yards and a touchdown. “Our approach stays the same. If we come out and work we know it will get clicking. We have some talent on both sides of the ball.
Freeman, who has had to deal with rumors of him wanting to ask for a trade and him not getting along with coach Greg Schiano, admits he is a little frustrated, but not because of the rumors.
“I think the frustration of knowing we’re not that far away; of knowing this offense is capable of scoring a lot more than seven points a game,” Freeman said. “We just have to find a way to stop hurting ourselves, get better on third down and we’ll be just fine.”
Yes, Freeman is correct; the Bucs must get better on third down, and first and second downs, so third down is easier.
The Bucs have scored just three offensive touchdowns through the first two weeks. The “not-that-far-away” offense is going to have to show up immediately.
September 20th, 2013 at 10:35 am
“Not that far away”- week 3 in the season.
Now or Never time started three weeks ago. Either way, we can still make some noise this year.
September 20th, 2013 at 10:50 am
If the GD offense can actually pull off a play without an illegal formation, false start, or holding penalty call me a believer.
September 20th, 2013 at 10:53 am
Ironically this season is not too far away from beng totally lost if the offense doesn’t get it together. Like if they don’t get it together the next two weeks, the season is over.
September 20th, 2013 at 10:57 am
Say what you will but he’s right. How many big plays have been called back by penalties?
Clean up he stupid penalties and mistakes and this offense will be good enough to win with the way the defense has been playing.
September 20th, 2013 at 11:01 am
Not that far away?
Neither is our record, our defense…or my near miss on the Lottery on multiple occaisions.
Sometimes not far away is much longer than you think.
I have been a supporter of Freeman and still am because I am a fan…but I am very tired of hearing….”we just need to get better”….if this, if that….dropped pass, penalty, great defense against the play, reciever fell down.
Come on!….
September 20th, 2013 at 11:15 am
14 games left to make us forget games 1 & 2! I still believe!!
Give off those positive vibrations bucs fans!! IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!! Bob Marley knew! Go Bucs!!
September 20th, 2013 at 11:17 am
Did anyone see the Chiefs last night get an illegal formation penalty cuz the Left Tackle didn’t line up on the line? The QB was able to overcome it and lead his team to victory. Wonder if Chiefs fans are bitching that that is Andy Reid’s fault for LT not lining up right?
All QBs have penalties, drops, etc. The good ones come back and overcome it.
September 20th, 2013 at 11:22 am
“Wonder if Chiefs fans are bitching that that is Andy Reid’s fault for LT not lining up right?”
That was my very first thought when it happened.
September 20th, 2013 at 11:28 am
Five teams have scored fewer points than the Bucs this season: the Jets, Browns, Steelers, Jags, and Panthers. Save for the Jets (whose lone victory was against us), all are 0-2.
By “not that far away,” I hope Freeman means two days away.
September 20th, 2013 at 11:43 am
One penalty in one game, no that is not the coaches fault…but a team leading the NFL in penalties and having two illegal formation penalties in one game, yes that has to fall, at least partially, on the coach.
September 20th, 2013 at 11:46 am
“Not that far away” – Epitaph on the tombstone of a guy that jumped canyons for a living.
September 20th, 2013 at 11:50 am
^^^ agreed. 220 yards in penalties, in just two games? That comes down to discipline. Which comes down to the coach.
If you have kids, and they get into a fight at school once or even twice. Then its probably your kids fault. But if they get into 20 fights in 2 weeks, its the fu**kin parents fault.
September 20th, 2013 at 11:52 am
The JFro Excuse Mob is representin’ today
September 20th, 2013 at 11:53 am
lightningbuc
Pretty easy to say in hindsight. What if they had lost? You wouldn’t have used it as an example to continually slam our team, right? Just because a team commits penalties and overcomes them with a win doesn’t make it right, does it?.
September 20th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Not lining up right is the VETERAN players fault. These are not rookies making rookie mistakes.
September 20th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Could of sworn we all agreed before the season started that this was the season of no excuses…. seems to be anything but.
September 20th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
“Pretty easy to say in hindsight. What if they had lost?”
ButteMontanaBuc,
LMAO! That is my point, goober! They had the penalty (and other ones too) and still found a way to win.
Funny how everyone mocked Schiano for “toes on the line” as amateurish and too much hard nosed for grown men. But now the same people say he hasn’t instilled enough discipline to his team.
I’ve never seen so many people go to such great lengths to make excuses for such a mediocre player.
September 20th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
BTW, the penalty breakdown for the Bucs is:
Offense 10 penalties for 55 yards
Defense 13 penalties for 165 yards
The Seahawks have 15 offensive penalties for 145 yards, and we all have seen how their QB overcomes them.
The 55 yards for offensive penalties is no way near the top 10. The defense is skewing it. So JFro is not being hindered by any more penalties than any other QB.
September 20th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Joe should change the name to “Joe hate club “
September 20th, 2013 at 12:22 pm
And you should change your name to Josh’s B!tch
September 20th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Just so you all know this is the Buccaneers, not the Freemaneers. I think some of you are a bit confused.
September 20th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
(Positive Vibration)
If you get down and you quarrel everyday,
You’re saying prayers to the devils, I say.
Say you just can’t live that negative way,
So we make way for the positive day!
Cause its a, New Day… New Time,
And its a, New Feelin… A New Sign!
~Mr. Robert Nesta
Enjoy your weekend! Lets do this!!! Go Bucs!!!
September 20th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Lol @ couch retard
September 20th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Raphael,
Ignore the negative (couch) fans. Misery loves company. They try to bait you in. The best way to keep your shine, is avoid them like the cancers they are!
Go Bucs!!!
September 20th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Hey uhh TrueBuc. Not sure if you’ve seen Raphael’s act, but he’s the one consistently baiting and trolling. I can guarantee you Josh can go 12-40 for 180 yards and 5INTs, lead us to a go ahead FG with say 5 minutes left and if the defense doesn’t hold it, its 100% their fault and Josh “did enough”, “put us in a position to win” etc…
September 20th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Yes ignore me. I’m negative but it doesn’t make anything i say any less true. LOL. Start Glennon. GO BUCS!!
September 20th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
@bucrightoff,
well I’ve been criticized of defending Josh too, because it pissed me off that we ran it 17 times on 1st down, and only called 5 pass plays on 1st down.
so we can make an argument for evey player, unit, coach. people like to take the side of either one or the other side of the coin. I try to take the position on the third side of the coin, the edge of the coin connecting heads with tails. Theres blame on both sides.
But its Friday, and we should just look forward to a good weekend followed up by our Bucs 1st win! As for Couch, I understand he doesnt like Freeman. But that guys hate goes deep. And you just cant rationalize with people like him. So we need better QB play, Freeman needs to find his consistency, Schiano needs to emphasize penalties and legal hits. It’s on the entire team. But I believe! Go Bucs!!!
September 20th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Shiano takes the blame for everything. But we know that is the o-line coaches fault. Or the player himself. How many times has he linedup pop warner thru to last week. Look at Chip Kelly, he blames turnover’s for last night’s loss. Schiano would have taken the blame on himself. Who’s the college coach now. Philly is a circus sideshow. Freeman will wake up. He’ll throw for 350 and 3 TD’s. Enough to convince the Brown’s he’s there man. And trade us a 1st rounder for him.
September 20th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Penalties are a part of the game, just like turnovers and injuries. Yes, we have 23 penalties for 220 yards. But the 49ers have 23 penalties for 206 yards, the Broncos have 21 penalties for 193 yards, and the Seahawks have 19 penalties for 193 yards. Yet, those teams are a combined 5-1 right now.
Are those teams’ fans complaining about how “undisciplined” their teams are because of Harbaugh, Fox, and Carroll?
The penalties, particularly the defensive penalties, need to be reduced to be sure. But they are no excuse for losing.
September 20th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
I want glennon to start bc he looks like he’s hungry for it.
September 20th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Hmmm not far away. Everyone of freemans overthrows were “not far away” from there targets.
You were so close my darling, alas no cigar.
September 20th, 2013 at 8:58 pm
One way to convert third downs is to get Martin open on pass routes. That was a nifty square-out he ran Sunday for a first, even if it was negated.Also, I am hoping Crabtree will play & make a difference a few times.
September 21st, 2013 at 9:54 am
Forget Freeman, forget Ogletree….can we PLEASE get a mediocre QB with somewhat of a 3rd option? Watching this D and Martin is the ONLY reason my eyeballs are still here!!!