Johnson’s Success Could Alter The Freeman Plan

August 28th, 2010

Joe can’t help but wonder how the Bucs’ braintrust might adjust its decision making for Josh Freeman if Josh Johnson looks spectacular tonight and in limited time next week against Houston.

Obviously, the goal is to get Freeman on the field for opening day against Cleveland, but Joe can surely envision a scenario that has the Bucs going with Johnson simply to give Freeman more time to heal. Joe’s no doctor, but it’s reasonable to assume that more healing time for Freeman’s broken thumb would be beneficial.

But on the flip side, the organization is absolutely desperate to win on opening day. And Freeman, like every player, has to learn to play with pain.

Joe thinks this could be a tough call on, say, Sept. 8, four days before opening day, if Johnson lit it up during the final preseason games, and Freeman is still adjusting to gripping the football.

For now, Joe’s hoping Johnson lights it up tonight and breaks off a couple of big runs, just to give the Browns a helluva lot to think about.

16 Responses to “Johnson’s Success Could Alter The Freeman Plan”

  1. LucasBuck Says:

    Joe, are you trying to feed us a hogwash sandwich with a side of gobbley gook?
    There is no comparison between these two. Freeman is the steak while Johnson is the chives on your mashed potatoes.

  2. BigMacAttack Says:

    Funny, I thought the same thing the other day. It makes a great deal of sense. I would rather lose to Cleveland with JJ, than risk losing Freeman for the whole season. Ideal situation is if Freeman is 100% by opening day, but that seems about 1 week too soon to me.

  3. goodfellajay Says:

    no freemen needs to play with pain..end of story

  4. Lakeland Bob Says:

    This injury could end up being a positive because our back-ups need the playing time and this is the only way they were going to get it.

  5. the_buc_realist Says:

    If Josh Johnson plays well. ( which he should). Look for King Dominik to try and trade JJ. King Dominik does not want any threat or competition to his so called “Franchise Guy”. There is a reason why they keep rolling out Clayton and Ward when JJ is in the game. As Sabby will tell you, ” there never was a competition”.

  6. JimBuc Says:

    the_buc_realist Says:

    August 28th, 2010 at 11:59 am
    If Josh Johnson plays well. ( which he should). Look for King Dominik to try and trade JJ. King Dominik does not want any threat or competition to his so called “Franchise Guy”. There is a reason why they keep rolling out Clayton and Ward when JJ is in the game. As Sabby will tell you, ” there never was a competition”.

    ROFLMAO!!!! It’s this kind of wacked out conspiratorial nonsense that make this website so much fun.

  7. Derek "OldSchool" Fournier Says:

    No way I think Free should be rushed. Play JJ until he is healthy (and I agree, it does pose a problem for game planning as JJ and Free have distinctly different styles)

  8. Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I say make Cleveland wonder

  9. Ash Says:

    the_buc_realist Says:

    August 28th, 2010 at 11:59 am
    If Josh Johnson plays well. ( which he should). Look for King Dominik to try and trade JJ. King Dominik does not want any threat or competition to his so called “Franchise Guy”. There is a reason why they keep rolling out Clayton and Ward when JJ is in the game. As Sabby will tell you, ” there never was a competition”.
    Dude ur defending Sabby’s dumbass remarks? Haahahaha!!!!

  10. eric Says:

    I wonder when Dom will tell Rah who the starting QB for the Cleveland game will be?

  11. the_buc_realist Says:

    @ash
    Are you laughing because you don’t understand. The point is that starting postions are just being handed out. The Team is not putting the best players on the field. But keep laughing Ash, because the train wreck is about to begin.

  12. Eric S Says:

    Unless Freeman’s thumb falls off, he is playing on opening day. The Bucs need to win the opening game to set the tone for the rest of the season. Freeman will play with some pain, but that is life in the NFL.

  13. Jonny Says:

    @the_buc_realist: you look like a bigger moron with your second comment than 1st. Starting positions are being handed out? Sean Jones > Sabby Miscitelli. Keydrick Vincent> Jeremy Zuttah. Josh Freeman > Josh Johnson. What is wrong in handing out those starting positions? Those guys that “lost” the competition have been putrid when they had the chance to start, and if you don’t think they were putrid, you better stop watching football, its not the sport for you.

  14. Joe Says:

    Sabby Miscitelli

    LOLOLOLOL!

  15. Pete Dutcher Says:

    Someone pinch Joe…he’s obviously dreaming.

    Early on, I thought Josh had what it takes…I no longer do. I watch him play and I see a guy who is intimidated by the opposing team. He cut and runs too much. He doesn’t understand how to step up in hte pocket without running.

    The funny thing is, all he has to do is watch Carpenter. He does it fine. He stays cool. He has faults, but he seems much better than Johnson in my opinion.

    PREDICTION REPEAT:
    Johnson will play himself out of the backup role this week and Carpenter will get a shot at it.

  16. ZeroExpectations Says:

    JJ is better than Carpenter.