Teammates Still Behind Josh Freeman
December 8th, 2009
It’s easy to understand how a quarterback can get rattled after throwing five picks.
It’s even easier to understand how a team can get frustrated with a quarterback throwing five picks, especially in a game where the defense held the opposition to 16 points and the offense racked up 469 yards of offense.
But neither is the case with the Bucs after rookie quarterback Josh Freeman tossed five interceptions. That’s the word via Rick Brown, aka “Backwards Hat,” of the Lakeland Ledger.
Some of the interceptions are bad luck. On one of Jon Beason’s picks, he actually was fooled on the play-action fake and ran up but was able to hustle back and make a great leaping grab.
Some of it is believing in his own ability. Freeman’s attempted throw to Maurice Stovall, who was his last option, was picked off by Chris Harris, where he tried to jam the ball to the receiver.
Some of it is being an inch or two off.
Whatever the case, the Bucs feel Freeman is going to be just fine.
“I’ve been around long enough to work with quarterbacks and I know this kid is going to be a good player,” said center Jeff Faine. “He needs a whole season to work with his wide receivers to know exactly how to throw in certain situations (and) defensive coverages. He’s going to make mistakes. He has composure and he’s really good mentally. I’m looking forward to the future with him. It’s him growing up, right in front of our eyes.”
What happens the rest of the season with Freeman will be quite telling for Joe. Freeman has thrown eight interceptions in his last three games. Joe wonders if teams now have enough tape on Freeman that they have a book on him, hence his recent troubles?
December 8th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I think Sunday was the bi product of a receiver in Bryant asking for the ball more, and Freeman trying to force the ball to him in the red zone. That and play calling.
December 8th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Running game looked pretty good all day. EG should have had a couple more calls IMO.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Being a rookie and thowing picks in the NFL – gee I never heard of that before!
I have to admit that Freeman has impressed me more than I thought he would – given his lackluster pedigree.
My biggest criticism lately is the play calling for Josh. I mean after 2 picks the Bucs get the ball on a 1st and 10 on the Panthers 20 yardline and Olsen calls a pass???? WTF?
If the Bucs were in contention for a wildcard playoff position I could understand asking the rookie to win the game but come on here. Thanks to the “great coaching staff” over at One Buc Freeman didn’t have any 1st team reps in the OTA’s. He didn’t get to play with the starters in preseason and had to ride the pine learning how not to get crunched for the first 8 games.
I think had Freeman gotten the keys to the Bucs in training camp – like Sanchez and Stafford did – he’d be much further along then he is now. In fact the Bucs “may” have had an additional 1 or 2 wins but with Bate’s defensive scheme causing the Bucs to get in the hole by 10 points plus each and every game I doubt that.
The kid looks like a NFL starting rookie but I have to admit he has more pocket presence than Leftwich, more pocket presence than Luke McCown and yes he looks a lot more comfortable in the pocket than JJ did as well.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Matthew Stafford has thrown 20 interceptions in 11 games. Compare to 10 interceptions in 5 games for our guy Freeman. And Stafford was the number one pick! Stafford also has a 5 interception game, along with a 4 pick beauty and the obligatory 3 pick variety. Perception versus reality my friends.