Explosive Claim Of Leaks
October 3rd, 2013
Outspoken national sports columnist and former Division-I football player Jason Whitlock believes the locker room at One Buc Palace is the source of the Josh Freeman leaks.
Joe isn’t much of a Jason Whitlock kind of a guy. mostly because Whitlock generally loves sports and non-sports things Joe has checked out on long ago, namely, the Non-Basketball Association.
But Joe does admire Whitlock, the Kansas City-based national columnist now working for BSPN, for his outspoken if not unpopular takes. After Father Dungy’s final game with the Bucs when they lost (again) to the Eagles, Whitlock nearly came to blows with Keyshawn Johnson because Whitlock accused Johnson of taking veiled shots at future Hall of Famer Warren Sapp (Johnson and Sapp have had a long history of acrimony).
Last night, Whitlock decided to weigh in on the Josh Freeman saga with the Bucs. Whitlock, who played college football at Ball State, believes he knows the source of the many leaks about Freeman. Some believe they are coming from One Buc Palace. Whitlock agrees, though he believes the leaks are coming straight from the Bucs locker room, not the front office or coaches’ room.
@WhitlockJason: Has ONE Tampa receiver complained about Freebow getting benched? ONE? Receivers ain’t afraid to bitch. #takehimoffthecross #fromKCilikeJosh … Vincent Jack$on ain’t scared of Schiano. Freebow is getting played by media. Coaches are taking notes. Not a good look. … I’ve seen no proof of or motivation for Schiano to smear Freebow. More likely unhappy teammate(s) smearing Freebow. #tradevalueschiano
Whoa! Those are some bold opinions.
Joe has zero idea if Whitlock’s claims are accurate but it is interesting that Bucs receivers did not pitch a fit when Freeman was benched but rather stuck up for Mike Glennon.
Though knowing how the Bucs locker room is, Joe is confident the team was given implicit orders to say nice things about Glennon. You know, put a happy face on things and look forward and not look back?
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:10 am
Is that a picture of Shaun King?
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:16 am
Fire Schiano and Sullivan, name Dave Wannstedt interm HC and elevate John McNulty to OC and bring Freeman back and unleash him from this decrepit ancient offense that the Little General insists on running…no one wants to admit the fact that this scheme sucks and no longer works, just look at the Giants, same scheme same issues, I think after 20 plus years the NFL has figured out how to defend the Run-Run-Pass-Punt offense that Schiano and his offensive idiot Sullivan are running. Full disclosure, I was a Schino believer, not anymore, he has destroyed my team, I thought Chucky was bad, Schiano is a schmuck and needs to go before Sunday….
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:21 am
This sounds about right
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:25 am
@Snook
I was about to say the same thing!
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:28 am
This guy is assuming that our receivers are all outspoken divas! He doesn’t even claim to have a source! The way he keeps calling him Freebow shows that this guy is just looking for attention. I already forgot his name!
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:32 am
He does look like King, but I’m guessing Whitlock did NOT play QB
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:41 am
I don’t doubt that a player is the leak, they would definitely notice Freeman getting tested. The fact that one of them would draw their own hasty conclusions and then go running to the media is my problem with it.
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:49 am
Free was constantly trying to get vjax laid out…..
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:54 am
I think its funny that people will believe anything negative about Schiano with out any proof.
But the second something comes out that could suggest the guy isn’t this monster everyone wants to make him out to be, then everyone wants proof its not him.
I personally believe it’s Freemans camp that’s doing it. Because up until Monday Freeman was taken major hits. Since Monday he’s been made the victim of everything even though he’s to bkame for AT LEAST 60% of it all.
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:54 am
I can’t stand Whitlock, but I can’t really argue with him. The Bucs rarely give out numbers of contracts, fines, etc, so I can’t imagine they’re now telling people they fined Freeman. I think a teammate who said too much sounds about right. Players talk about fines and things like that I’m sure, so probably someone heard it and said something. Either way, the fines and benching were brought on by Freeman himself, so I just wish the media would stop spinning everything out of control because it’s getting old.
October 3rd, 2013 at 7:56 am
@Sharon
Really doubt it’s V-Jax, too much of a professional to stoop that low. If the leak is a player, it would most likely be a low-key guy, like a reserve player, more like Ogletree or Owusu, not Williams and Jackson.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:00 am
King didn’t really play QB either.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:06 am
It’s not Schiano destroying the team, it’s the media.
The idiot is simply expressing an opinion. No basis in truth. I’m truly getting sick of this stuff.
It’s not news without proof. Period.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:10 am
@joe
You should do a timeline with all the events and rumours since Schiano hiring I think it would be very telling:
From the “toes on the line ” to players first starting complaining, to winslow getting booted ( and casted as a non Buccaneers man) to all the losses the micromanagement of the temperature to the poor pass defense (with cooper being kicked out), to others, the trade of non bucaneers man talib and blount, the bowers failed prediction, Bennet departure and casted as a damaged good, the qb competition in spring, the failed replacement by Palmer, the qb draft,to freeman benching drama, the frug program leak, he videotaping info, etc..
A recap of all this mess would make everyone see why firing this guy is an absolute necessity if the Glazers don’t want the franchise to loose anymore value than now..
I hope Sapp will refuse to be put in the ring of honor until this franchise gets healthier.. What a shame
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:10 am
agree 100% Bonzai
On another note, remember when Vjax said Freeman was one of the top 5 QB’s in the league? lol
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:11 am
@ RCS
I agree that it is more likely coming from Freeman or his camp than from Schiano/Dom….
Freeman is now the victim and if he is cut,he gets to negitiate will all teams directily. So, there is an incentive . However I agree it is most likely coming from a player…perhaps Ogletree who was cut.
It is absurd to believe that Schiano would risk his job, career & a huge lawsuit just to smear someone who is already self-destructing.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:18 am
QcCity –
Did AT and Blount not have issues before Schiano came? I believed they did. And it’s worked out for all involved. At least he sent them to a team for a 2nd chance. He could have just let them roit in the bench and release them.
And I’m sorry Bennett was not that great last year. Miller and GMC were eating two linemen every play of every game and Bennett won only 8 matches in a 16 game season. Other top DEs get chipped and doubled every single play and produce 13 plus sacks. Bennett was left alone in one on one battles all season and won 8 that’s not as amazing as people think.
When it comes to Freeman he’s what 24-37 or something like that? And Schiano was only his coach for 18 of those.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:20 am
I thought that was Shawn King in the picture.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:21 am
Tampafan – I’ve said all along Schiano may be alot of things but Dumb is not one of them. He’s not going to risk his families income, or his career to sink a below avg QB
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:23 am
Joe,
Have you tricked us to see if we are paying attention…..with thiis picture of Shaun King?
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 11 or fewer points.”
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:23 am
Joe,
Have you tricked us to see if we are paying attention…..with thiis picture of Shaun King?
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 11 or fewer points.”
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:30 am
@Joe – Uhhhh, looks like you had a little staffing meltdown last night? I guess even businesses have growing pains. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but, I got a chuckle out it. Good luck with that. ((Hardly a meltdown. Some a-hole found a way to post as Joe in the comments and Joe deleted early this morning. As well, you continue to engage in non-football nonsense that Joe must delete at times. Please cease. –Joe))
I expect all the Freeman lovers to attack Whitlock because he doesn’t share their opinion.
Notice, they all hate Shaun King until he says something supportive of their idol. Only then is Shaun King correct about something.
There’s a pattern. Agree with the media if it supports their conspiracy theory. Attack the media if it refutes their conspiracy theory.
Just watch.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:35 am
Found this in a Roy Cummings article…hadn’t heard this yet.
“On the morning of the season opener, Freeman missed the team meal and arrived late for the team bus to the stadium, the source said.”
Its possible but not likely that VJax was sick of the unprofessional behavior of Freeman & was the source…..It most likely was another player.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:39 am
Nothing like opening the season with your QB missing the meal and being late to the bus.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:47 am
Freebow. LOL
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:50 am
With this kind of behavior….Schiano certainly didn’t need to rig the vote for Captain….
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:53 am
How do you miss the team meal the day of the game at a hotel where you are staying? Get up, go downstairs, eat, go to game.
I can’t wait to hear the excuses for this one. The apologists will probably hit us with “his ADHD didn’t allow him to focus on the time Schiano set for the meal.”
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:56 am
I said something similar a couple weeks ago when all the drama started playing out that it’s pretty funny that not one player publicy or anonymously came out in support of Freeman after the benching. The captain’s vote was the initial indicator that Josh had lost his teammates. I have no clue if the locker room is the source, but all things considered, it’s more plausible than a coach going out of his way to concoct all these cockamamie stories when he needs to win a game to save his own ass.
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:58 am
The media vomit is driving me crazy but like a train wreck I can’t look away.
The Eagles game can’t come soon enough.
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:02 am
Sigh…Schiano fired.
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:04 am
Hate to admit, but the Freebow thing is catchy.
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:04 am
And this is the stuff we know….what about all the other likely issues…
Not making accusations here but a couple of Dr. friends told me that athletes attempt diagnosis of ADHD all the time in order to get prescriptions for Adderall & Ritalin because they are PEDs.
I am curious when Josh was diagnosed….before the draft, as a child, after the draft…..
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:06 am
Ignoring his blanket statement about receivers, Whitlock does hit on the key point in his hashtag: What good does it do the Bucs to do anything to hurt Freeman’s value by engaging in a smear campaign? And people think Schiano would gamble his coaching career (which would be finished if true) and the Bucs risk inflicting long-term damage on the franchise to what? Save a few bucks? $6 million dollars is a rounding error to the guys who own 2 of the 50 richest franchises in the world of sports.
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:12 am
Whitlock being a national reporter he probably has some pretty good sources he has accumulated over the years, Revis knows the media pretty well
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:16 am
Lawrence tynes perhaps? I really doubt a receiver said anything
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:16 am
BTW i think this guy ate shaun king lmao
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:19 am
“I hope Sapp will refuse to be put in the ring of honor until this franchise gets healthier.”
How does this benefit the franchise at all?
Sapp would have to be stupid to add to the media circus that is tearing his franchise apart. Especially considering how on NFL network, Sapp often mentions how him Derrick, John, and the guys help build this franchise from literally the bottom.
How could you possibly support punishing the fans?
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:37 am
Me too Snook! HaHa.
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:41 am
@Joe
I’m not sure “continue” is accurate. I think I restrained myself quite well over a period of several weeks or more. It’s not like I had ever once started any personal attacks. I finally responded, nothing more. This place has idiots that continue to personally assault your patrons, repeatedly, and nothing is done besides some things got deleted….. I got fed up.
Perhaps you should consider accounts and IP tracking?
Joe has blacked more accounts and IPs than you could imagine. –Joe
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:47 am
Freebow – very funny and creative’ Dang things have turned for the worse and naming Raheem Jr “Freebow” is the absolute lowest point.
#timetocleanhouse
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:52 am
Mike Williams loves Josh freeman and if you recall Mike said ” he will be here as long as Josh is ” Whitlock is Cray !
October 3rd, 2013 at 9:58 am
Someone in the locker room is flapping their gums, some certain radio host close to Freebow (Ha!) has vowed to bring Schiano down. Connect the dots.
Regardless, a sub par QB is no longer and an embattled Coach is still standing.
Joe, appreciate your on air comments yesterday citing the improvement on defense and special teams. Fair and factual Joe, keys to credible reporting IMO.
October 3rd, 2013 at 10:16 am
Sherlock Whitlock may well have found the likely source by identifying the “dog that didn’t bark” but it’s always humorous to watch reporters speculate about who’s the source that talking to some other reporter while the other reporter sits back and enjoys the bonfire burn.
October 3rd, 2013 at 10:45 am
Look, we all know that JF is not the next Manning. In fact, most will agree that he is only a marginal starting NFL QB. But, what is important is that since the departure of the Bucs’ only super bowl winning GM [to Atlanta], this team has not had the players or the coaches to win. But, hey who really cares, we have great college football in our state!
October 3rd, 2013 at 11:07 am
This is all ESPN/New York media who put Tampa in the spotlight after they lost Revis and they are still angry.
October 3rd, 2013 at 11:07 am
“Some a-hole found a way to post as Joe in the comments and Joe deleted early this morning.”
I have a suggestion if you don’t mind Joe. Maybe a “comment deleted” in place of that comment, or something similar. This morning I was reading those comments, when all of a sudden, I had no friggin idea what people were talking about. It seemed as unorganized and screwy as Schiano in the 4th quarter. I kept scrolling up to see if I was missing something. Any ways, I wasted a lot of precious before work time before I gave up. And now finally I understand what happened.
October 3rd, 2013 at 11:12 am
Did he really just call him Freebow? Lol
October 3rd, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Chef Paul”as unorganized and screwy as Schiano in the fourth quarter!”
Thank you sir!! I really needed that! Lol!!!
October 3rd, 2013 at 1:22 pm
I can’t stand this hashtag crap. I could barely interpret that. And also thought that was a picture of Shaun King scrolling down the page haha.
October 3rd, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Chef Paul,
“As unorganized and screwy as Shiano in the Forth quarter!”
Lmao! Thank you sir! I needed that.
Everyday, yet another player steps forward for Josh.
Penn, Joseph, even Glennon( who earned my respect for it), have all came forward, and painted quite a different picture of Josh, than the Satan that the Bucs have tried to paint. As far as WRs, Williams was the first to endorse Freeman as both teammate and as a person.
The Sporting News has a great article today. It states that everyone has seen thru the Bucs smear campaign, except the Bucs themselves- who continue to carry on, as if no one has seen thru their tactics.
Like a stupid cat burgler. The lights are on, security has them surrounded. Yet they are oblivious- and continue trying to open the safe!!
They have already exposed Schiano as a childish, vindictive liar.
Who tells a player to skip a team meeting- then tells the media the player missed the meeting.
Who tells a player to watch the game in a mutually agreed upon luxury box- the sends Security- in front of his family- to move him to another luxury box.
A childish lil Pri*k, that’s who.
It’s an obvious feeble attempt to try and get out of paying Josh his contract.
We see it. The team sees it. Most of the media sees it. Pretty much apparent to everyone. The only question now is- how high does this pathetic scam go?
Schiano for sure. Dom? The Glazers?? I hope not. But at this point- it continues to pile on, and no Buc hierarchy is denouncing it publically.
It’s just disgusting to see how they are willing to ruin his life, to save money they promised him.
How can anyone EVER trust anyone in this organization again.
October 3rd, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Exactly how has the media actually PROVEN that Schaino is a “childish, vindictive liar”? So far it sounds like most everything has been speculation and various “information leaks” without specifically named sources. Geeze innocent until proven guilty, right…let’s wait and get more actual facts before we start assembling the lynch mob.