Josh Freeman Could Be Tony Romo
October 26th, 2010
Last night Tony Romo, the pride of Eastern Illinois University, the same higher institute of learning that produced such luminaries as former Illinois governor Jim Edgar, Kevin Seitzer, Kevin Duckworth, Sean Payton, Mike Shanahan, Brad Childress, crazy John Malkovich and Joe, broke his collarbone.
Joe is chagrin that this would happen to any athlete, but if it would have to happen to anyone, it should be the starting quarterback at Dallass.
Sorry Tony.
It seems a running back failed to block a blitzing linebacker. Ross Tucker of Sirius NFL Radio, twittering last night, suggested a blocking back is more important than a running back.
@RossTuckerNFL Fans don’t like hearing about things like RBs picking up LBs in pass protection but that stuff can decide football games & even seasons. Ask Dallas.
This is the conundrum that Raheem Morris faces. He and offensive coordinator Greg Olson have hinted this is why LeGarrette Blount has not received much playing time because he has yet to master blocking.
While Joe gets this, Joe thinks the opposite is putting Freeman in physical danger. The Bucs have… no… running… attack with Cadillac Williams. As a result, the offense is woefully imbalanced and defenses don’t need to load up eight in the box, and can kamikaze Freeman with attacks.
With Blount getting more carries, it will keep the defenses honest, and open up the Bucs’ passing attack.
October 26th, 2010 at 7:31 am
It’s basically a six here, half a dozen there situation. Without a running game defenses are going to overload us on one side or the other and there won’t be enough blockers anyway.
October 26th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Joe I think the point you’re trying to make is counterintuitive. Defenses are going to blitz the Freechise whether we have a run game or not because NFL DCs know he’s essentially a rookie QB. If they truly feared our passing game we’d see alot more 7 man fronts due to defenses trying to drop as many as it could in coverage to stop it. Won’t developing a more explosive run game lead to more 8-9 man fronts?
October 26th, 2010 at 8:02 am
It was a fullback that missed the block btw gronkowski went to the outside of the lt and Boley shot through the hole and destroyed romo
October 26th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Why not use Blount and Cadilac in the same backfield?With this combo you have Cadilac to pass block and catch short passes and Blout to pound the ball.Or you leave both backs to pass block.Either way it keeps the defense from keying on one back and gives Josh more protection.
October 26th, 2010 at 8:28 am
@ lakeland bob
No a bad idea. Gru’s old “Rocket” package! lol
October 26th, 2010 at 8:59 am
I get having a RB that can block…for a pip squeak like Romo. But Freeman is a monster and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him get hit hard.
October 26th, 2010 at 9:06 am
It is simple really, put Blount in there and run the ball with an occasional pass thrown in. In obvious passing downs, put Caddy in.
October 26th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Nick has a good point. A LB hitting Freeman at full speed might just break his own collarbone or sustain a concussion.
October 26th, 2010 at 9:37 am
It’s not like Blount can’t block at all… I thought he did a nice job on a blitz pick up in the 3rd quarter. Knocked the defender right on his ass. I understand that he is still learning, but the coaching staff wouldn’t have had him in for 15-18 snaps if he was going to leave Josh vulnerable the entire time.
October 26th, 2010 at 9:50 am
@ Nick and BMA
That may be true on it’s face but you’ve got to worry about the physical AND mental toll it’ll take on Free in the pocket. He already has developed a bad habit of not setting his feet when he throws (stemming from our inconsistent protection). If you weaken the pass pro even a little you risk creating a David Carr deer in the headlights effect.
October 26th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Joe I watched that Dallas game and they really had nobody that could run the ball. We do with Blount and when you run the ball effectively you get less blitzing and more “taking it to” the other defense. Its rare you see a quarterback get blindsided when you are pounding up the gut and running over people like Blount can. I say give him the rock!! Plus Freeman is 6’5″ 250 while Romo is NOT.
October 26th, 2010 at 10:29 am
While Freeman is a BIG boy, that doesn’t mean he won’t get hurt. Just ask Daunte Culpepper or Big Ben.
October 26th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
SensiBuc- ussually agree, but I haven’t ever seen happy feet from Fteeman. He’s the most decisive rookie QB I’ve ever seen. 3 or 5 step drop, plant, throw! Kid so far has been unflappable. Think Joe is right about lack of running game. Hopefully they find a happy medium with Caddy or Graham blocking( when Graham returns), and Blount running, while picking up more of the blocking and passing scheme. I also still wanna see a Lil of Lumpkins. He is supposedly a quick power back. What the heck! With all these talented young guys, might as well give him and Briscoe a shot! Did anyone notice that James Lee and Ted Larson both kinda rocked in the second half. Both of them had some slobberknocker moments! A couple mistakes, but they both actually looked really good! It jus keeps gettin better 🙂
October 26th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
” The Freechise” lmao. That’s not bad . I still like “Neo”, but think I must be the only one who does. I don’t care, he’s still “The One”. Lol
October 26th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
And I don’t think Freeman could ever be like Romo. I wouldn’t trade Josh for ten Romos. Can’t remember the last time I thought this team had a great QB, either. Loved Garcia’s toughness, though Vinny woulda been great if he had a Line, really liked Doug Williams. But I think this Guy is gonna be -meybe already IS- amazing!
October 26th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
@ Capt. Tim
He’s certainly shown the he has all the poise, confidence and physical prowess you expect out of a franchise (or Free-chise) QB. However, he is not without flaws. His feet are inconsistent at this point in his career for two reasons: 1) Most likely because he’s been able to use his immense arm strength to fit it in the tight spaces throughout his career and didn’t need good fundamentals and 2) He’s been getting constant pressure in his face and around his legs (thanks Faine) so he keeps throwing off his back foot. It’s not a huge problem right now and I’m probably nitpicking but it could be if our protection breaks down.
Look at the plays Mayoch diagrams in this video: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-playbook/09000d5d81b469c0/Playbook-Young-Bucs