Pat Kirwan A Big Fan Of Josh Freeman
December 5th, 2009
There was no one — save for possibly Warren Sapp — that bemoaned the Bucs hiring of now defrocked defensive coordinator Jim Bates more than Pat Kirwan.
In his columns on NFL.com, his videos on CBSSports.com, and his weekday PM drivetime radio show on Sirius NFL Radio, Kirwan rarely passed on a chance to describe what a bad mix Bates was for the Bucs.
But as much as Kirwan — as it turned out, correctly — hated on Jim Bates, Kirwan is in the tank for Bucs rookie Josh Freeman.
In a recent column he typed for NFL.com, Kirwan raves about Freeman.
Believin’ in Freeman
After watching all of the coaches’ tapes of Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Josh Freeman, I am a big fan. If I were a Bucs fan, I would be excited about the future. Freeman has a long way to go but the arm strength, the mobility, poise and leadership are in place and ready to be developed. I think it really takes off this weekend with a tough road game in Carolina. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him build on his 250-yard, two-touchdown effort in a near-victory over Atlanta last week.
Joe has stated earlier this week that one of the few things Joe has to look forward to in watching the Bucs play eash week in this dreadful season, is to see how Freeman improves.
December 5th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I hear you Joe. This is about the only reason I am watching the games. I must add that I have been pleasantly surprised by his play. Aside from the fumblitis, he’s shown a lot of poise when playing. It is the only bright spot this year.
December 5th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
That’s funny Joe, I seem to recall you posting non-stop about how foolish it would be to play Freeman at all this season. But now it’s the only thing you are looking forward to? Were you wr-wr-wrong or what?
December 5th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
But I thought he was a “bust in waiting?” At least admit to this point you have been wrong about Freeman.
December 5th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Yeah, Joe was constantly begging the Bucs to keep Free on the bench.
December 5th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Joe here,
You guys are funny. You want Joe to admit he was wrong about Freeman.
Joe sure hopes he will be wrong about Freeman, but it’s still too early to tell. It feels now like Freeman was a smart pick. It feels like he isn’t playing too soon. It feels like quarterback is no longer a concern for the Bucs. It feels like Joe was dead wrong.
But none of us knows whether Freeman will have a meltdown mentally before the end of this season, and then we’d all be yammering that the Bucs should have stayed conservative with him and let him sit most of the season. Joe’s going to wait until the end of the year issue a final verdict about being wrong on Freeman.
December 5th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
For Bucs fans sake everywhere I hope to be reading that post at the end of the season. Then let’s hope there isn’t a Clayton/Caddy like sophomore (or career) slump in the rookie’s future.
December 5th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
“Joe” wrote:
>You guys are funny. You want Joe to admit he was wrong about Freeman.
Nah. We want you to admit that you were wrong about Freeman starting when he did. You wanted him to sit the rest of the year.
Nobody here said Freeman should be crowned the franchise QB of the next ten years at this point in time. Way too early. We’re just laughing at how you were so against hm starting this year but now you’re pretty happy about it. As well you should be. I think we all are.
>But none of us knows whether Freeman will have a meltdown mentally before >the end of this season, and then we’d all be yammering that the Bucs should >have stayed conservative with him and let him sit most of the season. Joe’s >going to wait until the end of the year issue a final verdict about being wrong >on Freeman.
Nah, it was the right decision whether or not he struggles or not the rest of the year. He’s held his own and barring a complete meltdown, (which I don’t foresee) it was definitely the right decision as he’s getting valuable experience for next year.
I was worried about Freeman, too. But he has exceeded expectations at this point. Let’s hope he continues to grow and impress.
December 6th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Why don’t we just anoint him the second cumming of Raheem Morris. They should have drafted Percy Harvin. The guy is playing well, but the team has horrible coaching and play calling is a joke.