Shirtless Josh
September 27th, 2013
The last image Joe will have of franchise quarterback Josh Freeman is him, half-dressed, running from the local fourth estate rather than being a man and just droning a few empty words, as he is known for saying.
Instead, he had to run off to BSPN to talk, unsanctioned by the Bucs. Hey, they produced his Michael Jackson video and magazine spread, so why not? It’s a thriller after all.
Tampa Tribune humorist Martin Fennelly documented the scene.
Once upon a time, it was all about 5. Once upon a time, in 2009, Josh Freeman threw three touchdowns and willed the Bucs to a comeback win over the Packers — his very first NFL start. Once upon a time, in 2010, Freeman threw 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Once, he was a franchise quarterback. Thursday, he was an empty locker.
There are few things more nonexistent, more awkward, than an NFL former starting quarterback still in residence. There are never ruffles or flourishes, so there were none between Freeman and Glennon, now the 33rd starting quarterback in Bucs history — no passing of the torch or the Josh Freeman Tuesday radio show time slot.
It’s on to the next one. The Bucs are big on that. For 38 years, this franchise, for all sorts of reasons, has never grown a franchise quarterback — 38 years and not one Bucs QB has ever gotten to a second contract with this team. Josh Freeman was going to be the one, once upon a time.
Actually, Brad Johnson got a hefty contract extension from the Bucs and Dan Orlovsky is on his second contract, but that doesn’t take away from the magnitude of the Freeman freefall.
Meanwhile, Joe must get that image of Freeman shirtless running away from the pen and mic club out of his head. Maybe after another belt of coffee, that image will be replaced by Freeman one-hopping passes to his running back.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Stop crying Joe! Stop and think for a moment. Why would he want to talk to the same people who have gone out of there way to make his like miserable? You guys trashed him all summer. The constant negativity since last years meltdown, which had more to do with defenses defensing our scheme than it was about Josh losing it all of a sudden. This offensive playbook sucks and it will continue even with Glennon at the helm. Either the Bucs adapt their playbook to take advantage of what the defenses are giving us or it will be the same old crap going forward with just a different arm throwing bombs at a 50% completion rate.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
what a punk. handled this like he handled his game…no stones.
this team is going to rally. he’s playing right into Schiano’s hands.
The one last mal content has left the building. let the season and future begin. I bet most everyone there is thinking the same thing.
even when your friends with a co-worker who is on his way out…..you are nice to them, but they drag you down.
good riddance!
September 27th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Herman Edwards just said on ESPN that Josh should have never done the ESPN interview.That the way he came off during the interview, makes him look like a bad player to have on your team.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
I did believe in him, i thought that he was the one! i may sound gay but i’m heartbroken hahah hope he find a new team!
September 27th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
If I were to script Freeman, it would be like this!
“I agree entirely with Coach Schiano…I stunk and if I were coach, I would have benched me. I stand ready to help Mike in any way I can….I wish him nothing but success. If I am given the opportunity to play…I will do my absolute best to win for the Buccaneers”
Unfortunately, I don’t think had good advice or if he did, he didn’t take it. His on field performance has hurt him, but its the off field that is killing him.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Its clearly “all about number 5”, even in his eyes. He doesn’t seem humble, he doesn’t seem “fiery”. He just seems like a guy who wants to get paid and laid.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Freeman is done here. It’s over. Like most breakups, its awkward and messy. But Schiano won’t turn it into a smear campaign on a Friday before a game we need to win.
The media wants Schiano to stand up there and talk about Freeman. Read between the lines. He will be deactivated. Toast. You asked, he kind of answered. Get over it.
See this is the problem with the Tampa media and hell, all media these days. They want these smear stories. The Tampa pen and mic club is gearing up for an uprising against Schiano. Which in turn will lead to what? Nothing but more futility from the Bucs.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Amen! Justin.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Justin …your dead on right man. The media does seem to think they are bigger than the team. Dispute that Joe!
September 27th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
I am currently sipping the Coach Schiano Koolaid, but let’s all hope he does not turn into a mistake we let get away.
Winslow, Talib, and Blount have all had great games against us so far.
Just Sayin ….
I do agree, he had to go.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Schiano said Crabtree suffered another set back and he wont be playing this week. Both V-jax and Mike Will practiced but were limited and are questionable. Lots of info from Schiano’s presser.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
It’s no wonder why Clayborn said it’s all BS and that fans need to just stop paying so much attention to the media. WOW gotta love it when the fans start to show backlash towards the media and not the team. Well maybe Joe doesn’t have to love it exactly, but there is this disgust out there for the Tampa media amongst some fans. It is alive, and it does exist.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
All of the national media predicted that we would have a losing record, citing major question marks about Josh Freeman and his lack of consistency. It’s not just the local media or Schiano.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Some of the New England media quite a few years back were calling for Belichick’s head too when he went 0-2 to start the season. I’m not comparing Schiano’s situation to Bill’s. I’m just saying that’s the way it is I guess.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
@ Apple Roof Cleaning
“Winslow, Talib, and Blount have all had great games against us so far.”
Yes…and they had some great games when they were with us…just not enough. They may be model citizens with their new teams….maybe its their new coaches…or maybe they realized they have one more chance to succeed and better make the best of it.
My guess is that Freeman could play well for someone else but not before watching the game from the bench and eating a little humble pie!!!
September 27th, 2013 at 2:45 pm
It’s ok couch…. I don’t think glennon will care who’s names on there jersey. Throw to the best option like a qb should
September 27th, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Let me see, why is it that Freeman didn’t want to talk to the “local fourth estate”? could it be because of the first two paragraphs of this story?
Let’s move on Joe!
September 27th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Yes Joe MORE articles about Mike Glennon. Less about Josh Freeman.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:54 pm
I’ve been a fan since 76′ and throughout many circus times in TB but this one has hit the trifecta. It has uncovered the incompetence of the GM (in drinking the Freeman coolaid to begin with), the “Not ready for primetime” coaches hired (Raheem and now Schiano with his clueless OC and DC) and of course Freeman for just being Freeman. Let’s not forget the owners for putting all these pieces in place. WOW! I hope Glennon lights it up but doubtful. Time to go back to the drawing board and get a new GM, HC and draft for starters and depth. Get an established QB in free agency and hope for better days in 2014. To think, the Glazers fired Gruden for losing 4 games in a row.
September 27th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Theres a saying “The heart wants what the heart wants”.
I saw when his heart was in it, and more recently when its not. Maybe he’s content with his place in the tax bracket and will fade way happy that theres no more pressure…..who really knows?…just a guess of mine.
September 27th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
8.43 million reasons to sit back and enjoy himself. If he’s inactive this week, he should go to Monte Carlo and send the Bucs a post card. Lots of time to get back to work next year. Whoop, Whoop, what day is it? Lol
September 27th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Time to cut bait! Find a team willing to pay half his salary and the Bucs pay the other half and ship him off. This is a problem in the locker room that the Bucs need to avoid.
September 27th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Why did the coaches not listen to me 2 months ago? Josh is a bum
September 27th, 2013 at 3:07 pm
I don’t want Dominick picking our next quarterback in the 2014 draft. He already drafted a bust. He needs to go, along with Freeman, and maybe Schiano (not sure yet). We need some real hope and that’s going to come with an experienced GM and HC.
September 27th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
yeah, let’s just completely start over. good grief
September 27th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Who knew that MRSA would be the 2nd worse virus to light up One Buc Place. Hoping for such a bad dumpster fire so that the whole regime is wiped out….the roster as a whole is pretty damn solid which is A positive. I cant believe that the season appears over with still a game to play in September. We waited 8 months for this?!
September 27th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
A positive I can point to is the draft results over the past two years being much improved since Schiano came on board. One more solid draft and we should be set up for a while. Then again, I’m optimistic by nature so I could be completely wrong.
September 27th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Sharon,
I could answer your question for you, but I have a code of ethics and I’m not allowed to attack women, kids, or pets. I only attack mobbers. Stay pure.
September 27th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
I’m more curious about Schiano’s relationship with Sully than with Freeman. Sullivan has been pretty quiet.
September 27th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
No starting over please!!!
We just need a level headed, D reading, quick thinking QB who can move the ball with a 60% completion rating (and we need better play calls SCHIANO and SULLY). Our D also needs play calling adjustment at times (SHERIDAN), but at least they can sack and get turnovers, and even score (Big Man FOSTER).
Its not rocket science. And sometimes I think these highly intellectual types are reading so much into analyzing everything that they look over the simple $ht!!
September 27th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Good for Josh.lmao
September 27th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Splengo
I am a man!!
Aka Robert
Aka Ricardo Esteban
September 27th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
The divorce is nearly complete. Nice of Josh to sit back and help the new QB learn the office during game day. Oh wait. It’s all about Josh.
September 27th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Ugh! Meant to say ‘learn the offense’
September 27th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
Here is a shocking Idea. Lets see how Glennon does before we pass judgement. I for one think that it is better we have Glennon play and lose then it is to have Freeman play and lose. We know Freeman is gone so why play him if he is just going to lose games. Also I think it says a lot when the WR endorse Glennon because they know what is happening on the field and in the locker room. While the media speculates. Personally I think Jackson had a lot of input on this decision. He has the experience of playing with a good QB and he knows that there is a problem with Freeman’s play
September 27th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
Dear Glazer Family,
It is time to waive Josh Freeman. Who is going to trade for an unproven QB with an 8Million contract? I am not sure Josh realizes this but his agent harpooned his career by telling him to do the BSPN interview last night. Has he noticed that ANY player regardless of talent that is a team problem gets the boot and no sniffs in free agency. Josh is becoming a distraction and cancer.
This team needs solidarity. I hope the TEAM gets behind the Rookie and wins one for the fans! We need a WIN Resuscitation! WISH MY BUCS ALL THE LUCK THIS SUNDAY! May the ball bounce into McCoy’s hands at teh 5 yard line for an easy 6!! Winning fixes everything!!!
September 27th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
The funny thing is, Josh is really making himself look bad, thus hurting his chance for a trade, or a big contract in the offseason. Although he’s not smashing the Bucs or Schiano, he’s not taking any accountability and he’s willingly defying the rules the Bucs have set. What team is going to pin their future on that? Not many. He’s trying to play the victim card here, without even acknowledging that he’s played like a bum for 8 of the last 9 games. I seriously have my doubts he’ll ever start again, and I would be very surprised if he’s an opening day starter for any team in 2014. He’s doing it all to himself.
September 27th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
And I wouldn’t cut him. That’s what he wants. Hell no. Either you be a good boy and hold a clipboard and bring Glennon water, or suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team. We can call him Keyshawn Johnson 2.0. Let’s see how great that works out for his next big contract he probably thinks he’s getting. Why give him money he hasn’t earned? Don’t reward him for being a jack arse. You can go home Josh, but with no money.
September 27th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Hawaiian Buc…I think your right. Freeman is stuck in Destruction Junction.
September 27th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Buc1987,
You call making a guaranteed 8.43mil being stuck. Then I’d like to be stuck so far back you’d have to pump sunshine in every day. Get over it. Freeman is the fat rat that gets to leave with a pocket full of cheese. This irks you mobbers to no end.
September 27th, 2013 at 6:48 pm
“Freeman is the fat rat that gets to leave with a pocket full of cheese.”
and Sapp is bankrupt along with many other former athletes…I hope Josh likes to save his money. Ryan leaf is broke.
September 27th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Freeman failed in Tampa as a starting QB even after given ample opportunity to prove himself. Okay, it wasn’t the most ideal situations for him (multiple position coaches, coordinators, head coaches) – but his bosses lost patience. Thank you Josh for what you tried to do for us as a fanbase, especially the 2010 season (10-6). Why bloggers like JBF now is villainizing you is beyond me. But that’s what the peanut gallery bloggers like to do.
Nobody is villainizing Josh. Please don’t misrepresent Joe. –Joe
September 27th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Buc1987
I’m starting to think you could put Sybil to shame. You must beat yourself up everyday just trying to make simple decisions.
September 27th, 2013 at 8:34 pm
I long for the heady days when Jeff Garcia and his lovely wife who would perpetually grace Joe’s website. Ahhhh those were the days. We never knew how good we had it.
September 27th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
The KEY word in that take is DEVELOPED! The Bucs have always been known for the franchise that grooms a QB for another NFL team. Doug, Young, Dilfer.. And the list goes on. When oh when will we stop being the pre-school?
September 27th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
@1987
September 27th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
@1987 I think Leaf my be worse thank broke.
In any event good riddance to the Boob