Safety Gaffe Started With Joseph
September 11th, 2013
The other play that cost the Bucs in the one-point loss to the Jets on Sunday, the needless safety, was a ball snapped by Jeremy Zuttah when Josh Freeman was looking toward Mike Williams.
Speaking on The Josh Freeman Show last night on WDAE-AM 620, Freeman explained that the Bucs were, in fact, in a silent snap count situation, one in which left guard Gabe Carimi was charged with tapping Zuttah to snap the ball when Williams was at a certain point in his pre-snap motion.
Well, Freeman needed to change things to avoid a delay of game penalty and then lineman communication got screwed up when Davin Joseph tried to help.
“We break the huddle and everybody’s getting lined up and as we get set, you know, the clock is winding down, so I’m trying to get Mike [Williams] to instead of doing his extended motion to just pop across. Right as I get his attention, I think Davin [Joseph] thinks I’m trying to say something to Zuttah. So he taps Zuttah trying to get Zuttah to turn around and try and see what I have to say,” Freeman said.
“So Zuttah viewed it as Davin looked back [and got the snap signal].”
Then of course, Zuttah snapped the ball that said past Freeman into the end zone.
“It was really the perfect storm,” Freeman said.
Joe enjoyed the insight into how things can go so very wrong in a matter of two seconds.
Interestingly, Freeman’s potential touchdown-saving kick of the ball out of the back of the end zone was something he was schooled on. (So no Freeman-to-Manchester-United jokes.)
During 2012 training camp, Freeman said, former QB coach Ron Turner would work the quarterbacks on bad-snap, back-of-the-end-zone situations.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:23 am
And why was the play clock so close to winding down? Repeatedly?
September 11th, 2013 at 9:24 am
This was an even bigger mistake than the LVD penalty. Without question. 2 points off the board forces them to go for a touchdown instead of a FG. Even with the 15 yard penalty its unlikely they get that TD.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:26 am
And to think they had all spring and summer to work on basic things like that, & still screwed it up…..
September 11th, 2013 at 9:30 am
Clusterf&*k!
September 11th, 2013 at 9:31 am
How can you be a detail oriented coach and play like that. Makes no sense. It really might mean a lousy season ahead. Who knows? I lost a lot of confidence in Mike Sullivan’s offense. Schiano will not succeed without a great offensive coordinator.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:33 am
And Freeman accepted none of the blame, even though i dont think it was his fault… where’s the outrage here? The same people who were criticizing Schiano for not taking any of the blame.. What do you have to say here? Free just threw the O-Line under the bus…
I bet we here nothing from the Freemanites about this.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:33 am
what had happened wuz…
September 11th, 2013 at 9:33 am
hear*
September 11th, 2013 at 9:34 am
Colin Kaepernick thew for 400 yards, 3 TDs, and won. During his press conference you could see that he was visibly pissed off at himself for missing the throws that he missed.
Why can’t our QB have the same pursuit of perfection? Physically, Freeman looks the part, but I am yet to see a true QB upstairs.
This weekend would be a great time for the Bucs to get their season started.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:35 am
Couch Fan,
We will hear from the Freemanites, they will spin this into a “team issue”, and not a “QB issue”.
Josh doesn’t seem to have the competitive drive to be great. I am questioning his ability to GET A “W”.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:37 am
I am questioning his ability to do anything other than throw the ball far.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Good point, couch, of JFro stepping aside from all blame.
It can’t be easy for these offensive linemen having to protect the stiff that is our QB. Joe reported the Big Dog is conspiring that Schiano wants JFro to fail. Could it be that it is the O-Line that has tired of the JFro experiment?
September 11th, 2013 at 9:41 am
Straight garbage.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:46 am
Philliph Rivers suffered a horrible loss. In his interview he let it be known that it was unacceptable and he’s gonna bust his ass to get better. I can live with a QB like that, even if he stunk it up every sunday, if he at least showed he gave a dam.. I am looking for a reason to believe in Free but dam he just continues to do nothing for most every game and then afterwards act like it was nothing to him… Show us some fire Free, show us passion, show us something other than you/your team sucked it up and you could care less!
September 11th, 2013 at 9:46 am
So it’s Freeman’s fault the ball was snapped when it wasn’t supposed to? I swear some of you people need to lay off the weed so early.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:46 am
At least the coaches prepared Freeman on what to do in that situation, kick the ball out of the end-zone. They certainly didn’t prepare the team for anything else in that game.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:47 am
So let me get this straight – Freeman is adjusting Williams, gives NO snap signal. Meanwhile, Carimi – in charge of giving the snap signal – was looking at Freeman waiting for the signal so he can tell Zuttah. Davin touches Zuttah, for whatever reason, who then snaps the ball.
And why would freeman accept blame for a snap in which he gave no signal?
No QB issue, that’s an OL communication issue. If Zuttah KNOWS Carimi is the one who tells him when to snap the ball, why would Zuttah snap AT ALL before Carimi says so.
For or Against Freeman – no blame with him.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:57 am
Yeah Freeman, how dare you not accept the blame for that bad snap??? We all know you have the ability to speak to Zuttah with your mind powers, you should have just told him to snap the ball with your Jedi mind tricks. Lol
September 11th, 2013 at 10:02 am
Schiano wasn’t on the field for any of the play on Sunday, but everyone wanted him to take accountability for every bad play.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:02 am
So, we’re now discussing Freeman’s perceived personality deficiencies? Yeah, Kapernick and Rivers are fiery guys…that’s great. Good for them. They’re both very good QBs, but it doesn’t mean Freeman needs to break a chair every time he has a rough game or the Bucs lose
You know who used to get ripped for pretty much the same exact issues his first four seasons in the NFL? Eli Manning. Yep, Eli was too aloof, too inconsistent, and was allegedly not enough of a team leader. At that time, Eli also possessed Josh’s strengths; a rocket arm and a penchant for coming through in the 4th quarter. Hang in there guys…Josh will make it through. He’s being put through the wringer with an unsold coach, unforgiving fanbase, and ruthless media. I believe in Free.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:06 am
LMAO Freeman NEVER accepts any of the blame but yet some of you jumped ALL over Schiano for the same. THAT was the point…. I even said it wasn’t Free’s fault… but I understand you have to skip over that part to make your comment sound intelligent… Fail!
So Freeman can’t accept any blame for something he didnt have his hand directly in, even though he’s the leader of the offense…. But you expect Schiano to accept blame for other peoples mistakes? LMAO, wtf?
September 11th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Bucs4life,
Do you believe in Freeman enough to guarantee 2013 playoffs? Or are you content with just playing 16 games a year?
September 11th, 2013 at 10:08 am
well if free was not in slow motion mode with his head in la la land he may have been a bit more aware and seen the ball from the corner of his eye.
it was like he was looking for a hot dog stand or somethin
September 11th, 2013 at 10:08 am
but it doesn’t mean Freeman needs to break a chair every time he has a rough game or the Bucs lose
———————————–
Every time? No. How about just once? Eli won 2 super bowls. IF Free EVER gets to that level then I’ll give him a pass. But until Free wins ANYTHING… he get’s no pass…. except from the blind. Stop comparing Free to a super bowl winner and compare him to someone whos more on his level…. like a ryan fitzpatrick. Guys who have done nothing in this league and continue to do nothing in this league.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:11 am
Yeah, couch fan, as usual a salient point gets misconstrued by the JFro mob!
September 11th, 2013 at 10:12 am
@stevek
Guarantee a playoff berth in 2013? Seeing as I am not involved at all with the Buccaneers and have zero personal impact on their success, I’m not going to make a guarantee, though I can appreciate the swagger in your absurd question.
I believe in Free to have a competitive year and keep the Bucs in the running for the NFC South the entire season. We’ll see how things shake out, but if he gets a little O line help and plays against a porous D like the Saints have been in years past…maybe it’ll get him going.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:14 am
Don’t you guys ever get tired of the incessant Freeman bashing? Or do you just love reading your own posts, thinking “oooooh! I got em this time!!!.” NEWSFLASH! No one gives a $hit.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:16 am
It’s sad Lightning, I feel like we argue with children everyday…. I can feel name calling about to start. LOl
September 11th, 2013 at 10:16 am
Buc4life, Freeman has no fire, none, never had any either. He’s a good sandlot QB, but can’t play within a system. The guy has will always struggle with simple concepts.
If you cannot master, you cannot lead. If a QB cannot lead, he will fail. Personally, I’d love to see a water cooler kicked over, a helmet thrown down on the sideline, a receiver with a finger in his chest. Something!
It’s freeking NFL football! I’ve seen tennis players with bigger balls. Sorry it can’t always be someone else’s fault.
That’s why he’s not a captain anymore.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:17 am
@Couch Fan
You’re an angry guy, huh?
Eli hadn’t won anything after he finished his 4th regular season…his stat line that year was 23 tds, 20 picks, 56% completion percentage and a handful of 4th quarter comebacks. Granted, he did that on his way to a superbowl…but again, it’s a TEAM SPORT….you know, he had a front 4 that could actually put pressure on the QB and an O Line that was able to pass block.
I think it’s a pretty apt comparison given where Eli was then and Josh is now, but hey you can keep yelling and act like a tough guy message board bro. Very cool.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:18 am
Shut The Buc Up,
When will Freeman be a successful and self suficient NFL QB?
Did Freeman peak in 2010?
When will Freeman be tasked, and HELD RESPONSIBLE, for the performance of our offense, and ultimately our team?
Last week is last week, but if the trend of losing and mediocre QBing still take place, then a change must be made.
We can’t possibly be this bad with a Rock Star GM at the helm, can we?
If last week tells us something about the way this team goes about business, then we might lose out.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:20 am
bucs4life,
When will have have a QB that is the “reason”?
Right now, we have a mediocre/subpar QB, and it is ok, almost celebrated to have mediocre results.
When will the performance of our QB be analyzed?
Our team sucked, especially the offense led by the QB.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:20 am
For those of you who just won’t get it, here it is once more….
YOUR FIFTH YEAR STARTING QUARTERBACK WAS NOT ELECTED TEAM CAPTAIN FOR A REASON.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:21 am
@Biff
You’re making my point for me…Eli has NEVER done any of those things. His claim to fame is making the “Manning Face,” which is described as looking lost and slightly retarded. It’s frankly eerily similar to the look Freeman gives when he fcks up.
@ Couchfan
You’re talking about arguing with children, but you use “LOL.” I mean, come on, dude.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:22 am
Don’t you guys ever get tired of the incessant Freeman bashing? Or do you just love reading your own posts, thinking “oooooh! I got em this time!!!.” NEWSFLASH! No one gives a $hit.
—————————————————
But yet you still respond. Who responds to something they claim “They dont give a shit about”.
Dont you get tired of losing every week? Every year? I do. Instead of accepting it and sticking my head in the sand while wearing a fake smile, I voice my opinion because MY team desserves better than a crappy QB. I want my team to win…. you can label it as “crying” if you like, I dont care. Like SteveK i hate to lose and its getting pathetic now with Freeman.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:23 am
Lol is a sign of a child or is it a computer term? Your ignorance is showing… Keep talking for us… I need the entertainment while at work.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:26 am
@Couch fan
My ignorance of the esoteric LOL “computer term”? Is this a complicated acronym used in high technology? Perhaps it’s a MSDOS programming code. I apologize for my ignorance, really need to read up on the latest “computer terms digest.”
September 11th, 2013 at 10:28 am
You’re an angry guy, huh?
—————————————
You think? Any fan of this team should be angry after what we just witnessed. Though clearly you are ok with mediocrity.
Again, Freeman has won nothing in this league. Eli has won 2 super bowls. Let me know when Free reaches that level then we can talk. Until then, Free is a Jon Kitna clone. Lots of meaningless yards that amounted to very little winning.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Wow, we really need a Franchise QB to step up. Us fans are arguing left and right.
I have see enough of Freeman, and he needs to beat the Saints this weekend. Another loss, and we are closer to a QB change.
Now or never, Josh. Time to step up or step aside.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:30 am
You know what I’m the single most tired of: Missing the playoffs. This team has enough talent to be there. Freeman needs to be consistent. Is the bad snap all on him? Of course not. Is his mediocre play the rest of the game everyone’s fault but his? Also, of course not. But todays NFL is driven by the QB, when you have one who can be a difference maker you can overcome a lot. When you have one who is wildly inconsistent, you get the results you deserve. People can call me a debbie downer all they want, but I look at the schedule and can’t feel very optimistic. Good teams beat the teams they are supposed to. The Bucs, if they were a good team, would have beaten the Jets easily enough that there would be no stress in the 4th quarter. Instead we had to stress the whole game.
An offense who’s two scoring drives combined aren’t 50 yards is 100% unacceptable. And if he is actually a leader, Freeman should be taking the blame on himself personally.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:31 am
Couch Fan,
John Kitna is better than Freeman has been so far.
I am furious with the loss, and have seen enough.
Booting a safety, taking time outs and still getting a penalty, and at the end showing you can get a score when needed. What a tease?
Freeman needs to have this offense score 30 points to beat the Saits. Too bad we couldn’t even score more than 16 against the Jets.
Freeman’s seat is getting hotter and hotter with each erroneous throw, play, audible. He is regressing.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:31 am
Lol Aww, I see you have failed in getting your point across so now you are changing the topic. It’s ok, I forgive you for your childish antics sweet pee and I accept your defeat. Now move along.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:32 am
bucrightoff,
Just look at the Schedule, and look at the opposing QB, compare them to Freeman…. Think about it, and what do we have? YIKES!
If we have a few more terrible games this year, I will surely believe that the 10 wins in 2010 werea FLUKE!
September 11th, 2013 at 10:34 am
@stevek
At this point I have to agree with you. I never seen Kitna make idiotic mistakes that rookies usually dont even make.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:35 am
The hate is not on Josh Freeman, the hate lies on the lack of an NFL QB taking the snaps.
We need a feiry guy, that can win, and take accoutability for kick ball safeties.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:37 am
Yes the schedule is another reason I am so pissed off. We lost to the easiest team on our schedule. If we can’t beat that team… what hope do we have? I’m thinking the score this sunday will be very similiar to the last game we played to the Saints.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:42 am
@CouchFan
Changing the topic? Hmm…if you have to declare victory, you probably didn’t win. I’m sure you’ve never considered that there really isn’t anything to win here….unless of course you can look 10 years into the future and see how Freeman’s career pans out, but I’m confident you don’t have the brain capacity to understand what you’re even arguing about.
@Bucrightoff
Your assessment is on the money and fair; this team needs to get to the playoffs and it’s a QB driven league. If we can’t make it this year and Josh has another inconsistent season with a horrific December similar to last year’s, I’d be in favor of cutting him loose…but at this point in his career this is the first year he’s been quarterbacking a true playoff caliber squad, so let’s give him a shot. I’ve seen his 4th quarter heroics and I’ve seen him carry an entire team for 2010…i think he’ll get his act together, but I might be wrong….such is life.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:50 am
One only needs to be able to look about 2-3 years into the future to see how Freeman’s career pans out, because by then his career will be over.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:52 am
1st off Joe I hope you enjoyed your mini vacat to NY/NJ! The ending to it wasn’t the best but I’m sure the before was great according to the pix. This wk we have Brees & the Saints & I actually think we are going to beat them. The reason being is we faced Rob Ryan last yr, wk 3 or 4 when Clayborn got hurt. So not only do we have film on him but we have film on what to expect from him. I think that is going to be valuable & also I don’t think the Saints have the talent that Cowboys team had last yr on D. We SHOULD be able to find some plays come our home opener Sunday!. GO BUCS!!!!
September 11th, 2013 at 10:55 am
Bucs4life Says:
“@Biff You’re making my point for me…”
Uh, no. No I’m not. You know the old expression about arguing with your type. You know, the kind that drag you down and beat you with experience…
September 11th, 2013 at 10:59 am
Can we stop about losing to the worst team on the schedule?
It’s all talking heads tripe by those who don’t play the game. Every NFL game is a contest.
The Jets were, and are a better team than everyone is saying.
So are we.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:01 am
Hey Stevek our offense was lead by our captain Joesph that started it all with the tap but of course the haters always put it on Freeman too funny the backup QB is always better until he starts of course. The offense plain sucked not just Freeman. The play calling sucked the third receiver sucked, Martin catching out of the back field sucked and the blocking sucked. Look at the whole picture take of the blinders.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:03 am
Jets will be lucky to be 5-11.
Brady will have Edelman as his #1 receiver, and STILL torch them.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:05 am
J_ets will be lucky to be fiveand11.
Br_ady will have Edelman as his #1 receiver, and STILL torch them.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:11 am
If the Jets lose 38-10 tomorrow night, are we still going to be saying they’re better than people are saying? I’m gonna be extremely depressed if they get crushed tomorrow, it will just underline what a horrific loss this truly was.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:12 am
relax people..it’s just the 1st game. Blame the new CBA. Many teams were making mistakes because they simply do not practice enough.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:18 am
Goodolebucfan,
You are right, our offense, aside from V-Jax, stunk it up.
What should we do?
Do we bring in all new guys, new head coach?
Is this on Dominick?
I miss the playoffs more than anything, and I feel that we are further away from the playoffs, today, then we were last year.
Bucs need to beat the Saints, Freeman needs to lead us to victory, and play like the 6 games he had last year- AWESOME.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:20 am
BFFL,
All 32 teams obey to the new CBA. So we are to blame the CBA for losing now, lol?
We should be winning by now, it is not like this yearm is 10 years removed from their last playoff win.
C’mon Dominick! Do something! We need to WIN!
September 11th, 2013 at 11:21 am
The silver lining is that at least our QB didn’t butt fumble…
The sad part is we lost to Butt Fumble’s backup.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:41 am
I’m no Freeman homer but if you don’t think he cares about his bad throws (every short pass he attempts) your obviously not seeing the reaction I see on the field and sideline. He explains a botched snap and all of a sudden he’s throwing the offensive line under the bus… I know I want better play at QB but I’d rather Freeman be there than any other available QB or Mike Glennon.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:55 am
Costello taps Abbott, who snaps it to Benny Hill, while the three stooges are trying to get lined up. You couldn’t draw up that scenario if you wanted too. Only in real life, only the Bucs, while Yakety Sax plays in the background, and Peter King is shoveling food in his mouth at an alarming rate.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Tim Brown once said that Tampa Bay fans don’t know SPIT about football. After reading these post for a couple of years, coupled with the JF5 Mob.. Tim’s assessment was spot on. Joe you have a great site, but there should be a requirement to not post if the only time you played as a football player was cleanup duty in rec league flag football game.
September 11th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Horice,
Tim Brown also said Bill Callahan “threw” the Super Bowl to the Bucs to help out his friend Jon Gruden. Tim Brown was fabulous in his time with Tampa Bay – at fair catching punts!
And since you’re so much more knowledgable than most on here, what years did you play in the NFL?
September 11th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Horice …spot on !
The freeman haters are more retarded today … More than the usual…lol
September 11th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
@ lightningbuc … The same years you did , moron
September 11th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
And the Freeman lovers cannot ever present any evidence Freeman is anything other than mediocre. I’ve said it many time: I don’t care if Frank in IT is the Bucs QB, he just needs to win. How many QBs still have excuses being made for them 4 years into their position as starter?
Of course now none of the Freeman lovers will respond, which proves my point. They can’t actually put up a defense, its just “Hope this, give him time that”. 4 years isn’t enough proof about the guy? Like say we sign him long term, and the next 6 years are just like the last 4. In 10 years, are you all going to be saying “Give him more time?”. We’re wasting a potentially elite roster on the potential of a QB who hasn’t actually shown more than glimpses. I love the 2010 season, but Derek Anderson had a terrific season once. Where’s he at now?
September 11th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Thereare plenty of times Freeman excepts blame, this article is explaining one quote explaining what went wrong on one play. Give me a break. Freeman is not great, but the ENTIRE team was unprepared. I guess that is his fault too. We all better hope the team is prepared for this week…but of course if they are not we can all blame Freeman anyway. This conversation has gotten old and tired. Stop with the childish name calling “Freemanites”, what are you guys 12 or something. Other fan basis are defensing their team against other teams fans, not here in tampa…we have to defend our team against it’s own fans. That is what makes us a laughing stock, not s sloppy poorly coached game i which the QB and the REST of the TEAM looked like they had not played together before.
September 11th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
God, whatever happened to the old Josh Freeman, who brought us back from defeat many times, and spiked the ball in the Atlanta end zone, as he did the Dirty Bird, right in their face.
I think Schiano is THE problem! Schiano ran off Kellen Winslow, who had great chemistry with Josh for starters.
Josh looks scared out there, almost like Schiano is intimidating him ?
September 11th, 2013 at 1:01 pm
If Freeman is scared of Schiano, again, that tells you all you need to know about him. Mentally weak.
September 11th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Like I said yesturday. I am not a Freeman supporter but. Freeman did not lose this game. Eli DID NOT win the Super Bowls single handed. And as I remember Mr. Freeman and the offense had the lead in last years GIANTS game. Who blew that lead?
September 11th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
The defense blew it. They allowed 41 points. The defense allowed 18 this past Sunday, and one TD that was due to…a Freeman pick. The defense gets blamed because of the ending, conveniently ignoring the fact we’re getting shut out without the defense. Nobody thinks Freeman is a franchise QB, otherwise we could find someone to trade a first rounder for. Teams will give the Redskins a first rounder for Kirk Cousins before they give one up for Freeman. Nobody thinks he’s a franchise guy.
September 11th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Coveniently ignoring when put in to position we came away with points. He could have imploded as normal on the second TD drive. That’s what good QBs do. When given position come away with points.
Writing him off after 1 game most of you show you have written off the season. I saw Eli have good protection this week and have more ints than Freeman. I will give him a few more games this year.
September 11th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
@Biff
Does anyone know why Freeman was not voted as a captain? It’s pretty sad. I hope he really steps up his game this weekend(and the rest of the team). The premiere QB’s in the league are already on fire through the first week.
September 11th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Ugh, so Freeman converted the short fields. Awesome! Without them he…gets us shut out. He did not manufacture any drives without the aid of the defense. You don’t say that about true franchise guys.
September 11th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
BS IT’S ALL EXCUSES