Freeman Passes On Reputation Rehab
February 1st, 2014
For a guy who desperately needs to repair his reputation before the free agency bell rings next month, Josh Freeman was noticeably absent on Radio Row at the Super Bowl this week.
Radio Row is where hundreds of local and national radio shows gather to broadcast live from the same giant room during the week leading up the Super Bowl. Truckloads of former and current players blow through and do numerous live interviews. Some are serving as paid spokesmen. Others are just hanging out.
Sleepy, leaky and well spoken (when he wants to be) Freeman could have done himself a great service telling his story across the country and sounding like the starting quarterback he wants to be. Good performances could have turned some powerful media back in his favor, generated buzz among fans in cities yearning for a QB, and he could have shaken hands with plenty of high-ranking front office types.
It really surprised Joe that Freeman skipped an opportunity to hype himself where it wouldn’t appear staged or calculated.
Considering how Freeman’s camp masterfully forced the Bucs to cut him, which subsequently got Freeman an extra $2 million+ in Minnesota, it’s even more odd Freeman wasn’t out there. Every decent sports radio station or network would have welcomed him.
Joe’s not rooting for Freeman, other than Joe would like to see the young man revive his career and not waste his talent. That would be a shame.
February 1st, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Are 3rd string QB’s in that much demand on radio row?
February 1st, 2014 at 2:32 pm
The shame is he let the TB fans and his teammates down. I wish him no luck what-so-ever.
February 1st, 2014 at 2:33 pm
why waste your time on radio row, when you can have a couple of nights out, On a related not, has anyone seen Mike (keg stand) Williams???
February 1st, 2014 at 2:34 pm
He was probably sleeping
February 1st, 2014 at 2:37 pm
He knew his #1 fan the Big Dog would do his propaganda for him
February 1st, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Freeman will rise again, naysayers.
February 1st, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Smart move by Freeman’s camp. There is no benefit whatsoever in putting him in front of a mic or camera. He doesn’t have the charisma or media saavy needed to promote himself. His lack of confidence would be only thing that people would notice and his stock would drop even further.
His best move is to stay quiet and hope that another DESPERATE team (ie. Raiders) is willing to take a chance on him without knowing the full story. Playing it this way will allow Freeman to steal at least another million from some unsuspecting team.
February 1st, 2014 at 2:44 pm
I am pretty sure after the whole Bucs fiasco this year that the book is out on JFro-6pak, I will be surprised if any team picks him up at this point. And I am glad that half of the story finally got out. Tampa has been hiding his secrets way to long. Also how is that Schiano leaked information investigation going, I have not heard a thing in a long while.
February 1st, 2014 at 2:45 pm
I could see him getting picked up by the Cards or Raiders. If he can’t fix his inconsistency or go back to being more mobile his career is likely over. But I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him.
February 1st, 2014 at 2:48 pm
The worst part about the media circus was that it could’ve been easily avoided.
February 1st, 2014 at 2:53 pm
That would require not being all pilled up.
February 1st, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Not sure how he does any better than a 1-yr deal with a crappy team like OAK or CLE for a chance to compete for a spot. He may have gotten $2m from MIN but they didn’t do him any favors by burying him behind lousy QBs.
February 1st, 2014 at 3:10 pm
^^ Says every Freemanite ever. Is it any coincidence you routinely take jabs at Glennon?
You have all your eggs in the wrong basket, dude!
February 1st, 2014 at 3:18 pm
@stevek
Or in Freeman’s case,
You have all your pills in the wrong bottle, dude!
February 1st, 2014 at 3:29 pm
Lost all respect for Bonzai right there
February 1st, 2014 at 3:32 pm
Dont be smart. Be Loyal instead.
– Freemanites
February 1st, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Doesn’t surprise PRBucFan..
Free Free is a bum
February 1st, 2014 at 3:38 pm
I bet you Freeman overslept it!
February 1st, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Winner!
February 1st, 2014 at 3:46 pm
How do we not know the player’s union didn’t “force” his release? Leslie frazier seemed to approve of Freeman’s reputation. Don’t tell me he was just being nice either, it was about the power struggled between Frazier and his GM, and Freeman was just caught-up in it.
“He worked as hard as he could every week to prepare and be ready to go,” Frazier said. “He was a pro in every sense of the word. But we made a decision to try to figure out where Christian Ponder was and also take a look at Matt Cassel because we were trying to determine and get some answers regarding our quarterback position. Josh got caught up in the shuffle. It probably wasn’t a fair situation for him. It made it difficult for him. It made it difficult for all of us when you’re trying to evaluate quarterbacks in an NFL season. That’s not a wise thing. Nothing to do with Josh. He prepared and worked as hard as he could to get on the field. It just didn’t work out.”
February 1st, 2014 at 3:49 pm
womp womp womp
Lazy Bum
February 1st, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Lmao freeman will raise again
When did he ever?
February 1st, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Freeman or his agent are very wise…..”First do no harm”
and, I suspect he would do himself considerable damage if he appeared.
February 1st, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Man, where are all of the Freemanites that only about 6 months ago were proclaiming Free was som great talent that we couldn’t let go? Environment has definitely changed around here.
February 1st, 2014 at 4:13 pm
You have to give the ” freemanites ” this is . In the utter face of defeat, they stood defiant, they tried to lay blame on any and everything. Even when the blame was plain and simply on Freeman.
February 1st, 2014 at 4:22 pm
The_Buc_Realist Says:
February 1st, 2014 at 4:13 pm
You have to give the ” freemanites ” this is . In the utter face of defeat, they stood defiant, they tried to lay blame on any and everything. Even when the blame was plain and simply on Freeman.
————————————————————
Even when his receivers dropped passes, ran wrong routes (we saw a ton of during the Rah era). Even when he had two coaches, three plus inexperienced coordinators in three years. Even when the defense blew lead, after lead, after lead, after lead, after lead in Schiano tenure. Even when the offense was in the top ten in 2012. Even when the team doesn’t spend money bringing in free agents to help the offense out until 2012. Even after an 0-3 start where the team could of easily been 2-1, and was benched because Schiano (who was never to blame under the Glennon Mob mentality wanted a new qb from day-one).
No, Freeman wasn’t without any fault certainly, but dude it’s a team game, and the qb got entirely way too much of the blame just as they can get too much of the credit at times.
I don’t see any realism in your comments, sorry.
February 1st, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Rise up Freeman!
February 1st, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Freeman’s off-field weaknesses (aside from the substances) are not having good handlers or representation. His agent cannot control him or set expectations. And he lacks a good PR team.
He doesn’t need to be the most eloquent speaker to use media row to his advantage. He just needs good coaching and guidance.
His career is over because of it.
February 1st, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Y’know…I dislike Freemans antics as much as any
self-respecting Bucs fan…..so I hate to say it,
but I think he’ll rise again. He’s had his disillusionment.
Sometimes that works wonders.
February 1st, 2014 at 5:19 pm
mpmalloy….he could just be a mental case too.
February 1st, 2014 at 5:21 pm
The headline of this post reads VERY differently if you just add a well-placed comma: “Freeman Passes On Reputation, Rehab”
February 1st, 2014 at 5:48 pm
@Buc1987 – I think youre looking too much into it. Lets keep it simple. Those who werent members of the Freemanites knew what the issue was all along. Free was an average QB talent that is stricken with laziness. No mental issues. Just lazy, undedicated and not that good to begin with.
February 1st, 2014 at 5:50 pm
DING DING DING Sombrero!
February 1st, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Couch Fan Says
“Don’t be smart. Be Loyal instead.
– Glennonites”
Fixed that for you Couch. 😉
February 1st, 2014 at 6:11 pm
It amazes me how much the Freeman haters forget. He was not addicted to pills, yet you guys mock him for having a medical condition. He played decently until his last year…a mixture of bad and good I guess, but that’s as far as it went.
His agent was the dirty player…and Johnny Football has the same agent, I think.
So he didn’t succeed here. That’s not a reason to hate the man. Or to wish him ill. That’s classless.
February 1st, 2014 at 6:13 pm
I do not “dislike” Glennon. I will not even say he cannot become what the Bucs need. I just think it is unwise to put all the eggs in one basket.
February 1st, 2014 at 6:20 pm
No one knows if he had any type of “medical conditions”
I know plenty of people with ADHD/ADD that function perfectly normal in life lol.
He just couldn’t handle the weight of the position, it happens lol.
Freeman is a grown man it’s about time people stop blaming everything around him and hold him accountable.
Which is exactly what finally happened and the league saw him for what he was.
He chose that agent and allowed and participated in everything he did that went down as he was on his way out.
February 1st, 2014 at 6:30 pm
@Bonsai:
Even if all of what you say is true – and even if it was thru his agent – Freeman still totally and completely screwed Bucs fans. I also do not believe he gave it his all this past year, not even close. He was clearly selfish and lazy and had a terrible attitude. That lack of effort was ALL on Free, Bonzai.
It disgusts me that anyone who claims to be a true Bucs fan would still support him.
February 1st, 2014 at 6:39 pm
PRBucFan Says
“No one knows if he had any type of “medical conditions”
Actually we know he has one, but we don’t know what it is specifically. The NFL approved him taking a medication similar to adderall, which means he has a medical condition.
Harry, I DO agree with you there. I don’t believe he gave his all last year either. But we do not know the true reason behind it. We don’t know what the relationship between him and Schiano really was like.
And supporting a former Bucs player does not make anyone less of a Bucs fan. Warren Sapp left for more money, didn’t he? Yet we all support him.
There is nothing wrong with wishing Freeman turns things around, because a person should want the best for their fellow human beings.
February 1st, 2014 at 6:40 pm
“It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt”
― Mark Twain
February 1st, 2014 at 6:42 pm
PRBucFan, I do hold Freeman accountable, but that doesn’t mean I have to hate him.
February 1st, 2014 at 6:44 pm
BTW, changing subjects…it seems Suh was a major locker room problem last year and with the $22 mil cap hit, Caldwell may well decide to cut ties with him.
I pose this question…would fans like to see him next to GMC?
February 1st, 2014 at 6:54 pm
Yes ADHD/ADD, to make it seem like the kid can’t play ball because he’s got either of those is absurd lol.
He’s being mocked because he was historically bad and to top it of attempted to tank this team.
Has absolutely nothing with a condition that is apart from his inability to perform.
Unless your trying to make yet another excuse as to why he bombed.
You say you do and than you blame his agent? lol Come on now
February 1st, 2014 at 7:04 pm
Something for you guys to fight about! Have fun!
http://fansided.com/2014/02/01/nfl-rumors-oakland-raiders-sign-josh-freeman/#!t9EB8
February 1st, 2014 at 7:06 pm
“Freeman’s career is on the skids and that means the black hole of the Oakland Raiders may end up being the one place willing to suck him up and drain him of whatever career he has left. Oakland is notorious for being the place where careers go to die, specifically careers of quarterbacks.”
Bubye Free Free lol
February 1st, 2014 at 7:11 pm
Per brooks twitter:” I’m in the hall of fame now”
Greatest buc of all time!
February 1st, 2014 at 7:38 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai Says:
1) “Harry, I DO agree with you there. I don’t believe he gave his all last year either. But we do not know the true reason behind it. We don’t know what the relationship between him and Schiano really was like.”
2) And supporting a former Bucs player does not make anyone less of a Bucs fan. Warren Sapp left for more money, didn’t he? Yet we all support him.”
Bonzai, how many NFL players like their coach? Players don’t necessarily play hard for their coach (nor for the fans), they play hard bc they are competitors and for their teammates. I think thats what the Bucs did that this year under Schiano. I do not think they loved him, but they played hard for the fellow teammates (which is awesome for next year). Free obviously did not give a s(p)it about his teammates; he is a selfish little pr*ck.
And I totally agree with you in almost all situations about supporting ex-Bucs once they move on, I con’t to follow Lynch, Sapp, McCardell, Jurevicious, Dunn, Rice, etc. They played hard for the Bucs, gave their all.
Josh F* his teammates and did not care at all. I would not piss on him if he were on fire.
Other than this misguided opinion of your Bonzai, we still love ya man. lol
February 1st, 2014 at 7:52 pm
^^ We dont agree much but I agree with that. The man was getting paid tons of money to at least give it his all, regardless of what or who he liked. Quitting is inexcusable…
If he gave it his all and failed I would have no ill will for the guy.
February 1st, 2014 at 8:01 pm
He’s not a football player – he’s a God gifted athlete that’s it!
February 1st, 2014 at 8:01 pm
^^ Thank you
February 1st, 2014 at 8:20 pm
Is anyone surprised Freeman passed on anything related to “rehab”?
February 1st, 2014 at 8:47 pm
BuccaneerBonzai Said:
February 1st, 2014 at 6:39 pm
PRBucFan Says
“No one knows if he had any type of “medical conditions”
Actually we know he has one, but we don’t know what it is specifically. The NFL approved him taking a medication similar to adderall, which means he has a medical condition.
Well if you abuse Adderall it will cath up with you very fast. Symtoms include;
Nervousness
Restlessness
Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
Headache
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty staying asleep
Changes in sex drive
Nausea
Stomach pain
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Over sleeping and performance issues happen fast.
February 1st, 2014 at 8:54 pm
Freeman needs to hit a huge growth spurt in maturation if he is to ever grace another NFL field.
February 1st, 2014 at 9:13 pm
I am NOT a “Freemanite” at all but you jugdemental people on here are ridiculous. I wanted Freeman here this year cause if the light went on we could have possibly turned this season around. But hes gone, and were honestly still judging this man? Let him go along with the hate. HATE ruins our country still today. So sad.
February 1st, 2014 at 9:14 pm
@ BOJIM…. DING, DING, DING…. YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. Consistent drug use (adderall, in this case, maybe more unapproved drugs) and the corresponding side effects is absolutely to blame for his dramatic drop in playing ability. Sad situation.
February 1st, 2014 at 10:41 pm
Joe,don’t ya get it.hes in rehab.
February 1st, 2014 at 11:58 pm
I’d still take freeman over glennon in a heart beat. But we can do much better than either of them in this years draft. Freeman was always inconsistent, high ceiling and low floor. Glennon is just bad at everything. Low ceiling with a low floor. We need to draft a qb who has a high ceiling but can be consistent enough not to floor out every other game like freeman did. Nobody can say freeman was a bad qb. When he was on he was awesome. It’s just a shame he wasn’t always on.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:03 am
Anybody here ever go to fanfest, this year we won’t have to watch our starting qb lose the accuracy challenge/drill to the second and third strong qb’s
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:07 am
Freeman didn’t quit on his team. He can help his teammates when he isn’t on the field. He didn’t handle situation of being benched well. But he didn’t deserve to be benched either. Revis even said guys in the locker room didn’t want to show up to work under schiano. He’s not talking about freeman he was talking about the majority of the team. Possibly team leaders. It comes out freeman didn’t want to work for schiano… Well no crap, nobody did. Schiano drove the team into the ground. Shiano f* this team not freeman. Freeman couldn’t be a team guy when he wasn’t allowed to be part of the team.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:23 am
I wish Josh Freeman all the best in his future endeavors. As a supporter of Freeman when was the QB, the best way to improve is by doing it on the field. During the lockout, he got players together to work out. To say he was lazy is simply ignorant on the part of the posters here. As far as “masterfully forcing the Bucs to cut him”, well that’s the organization’s fault for not getting anything for him. Schi, Dom and the Glazers weren’t on the same page when it came to Freeman. At any rate, Freeman is gone. Dom is gone and Schi is gone. Schi never grasped the fact that NFL players are grown men. It’s time to move on.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:40 am
Freeman has no intention of ever playing again.
February 2nd, 2014 at 4:14 am
There is some mean sh^t being spilled about our former QB. You losers should cut him some slack. He may have gotten a bit caught up in his immaturity but the football player has shown more excitement from the QB position than has ever been seen before in Tampa. Schiano Piano ruined him but he let it happen because he is just a kid. Wish him the very best.
Joe you could also do well by laying off the sleepy leaky cheap ridicule. It serves no legit or comedic purpose any longer. Just a bratty dig to elicit a snicker from people that like watching others in the spotlight fail.
February 2nd, 2014 at 4:36 am
boofreakinhoo lol
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:38 am
Josh is a Talented yet mixed up kid.He is rich ,young and working his way thru.He should be ok and get another shot.
I predict he will be the first player to come out of the closet (allededly)and that will be his legacy.
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:39 am
PR…tell us again who the linebackers coach is? Who is the assistant to the (manager) linebackers coach?
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:19 pm
Free bashing is not the right thing to do we do not no what went on with that crazy staff seems to me they got what they wanted we have never treated anyone one player with respect that has left here Brooks was treated like trash here at the end and all you big mouths just shut the f up
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:23 pm
And it seems that sapp gets all the honors here when he treated the fans like crapp
February 2nd, 2014 at 7:07 pm
That the best you got DB?
Ahahahahaha
You can do better than that 😉
Again, Boofreakinhoo