Raheem Makes Freeman-Manning-Brady Analogy
January 22nd, 2011
The Bucs’ fiery head coach/defensive coordinator thinks the world of Josh Freeman. Rightfully so. But is Freeman already on the same level as future Hall of Fame inductees Peyton Manning and Tom Brady?
Raheem Morris seems to think Freeman is at least in the ballpark.
On Friday, former Bucs QB Shaun King, co-host of The King David Show on 1010 AM, asked Raheem what Freeman needs to improve in the offseason. Raheem responded by saying Freeman needs to just keep up what he’s doing.
“Repetitive development of what he did last year. …You’re only as good as your preparation,” Raheem said. “…Brady and Manning don’t go out and change what they do, they improve on themselves.”
Sheesh. That’s some strong company for Freeman. Is he that good?
For one, Joe would love too see Freeman improve his play-action fakes, something Joe suspects the Bucs will do much more of next season. To Joe’s eyes, Freeman stands a little taller and holds the ball a little higher when he’s faking, a tell that can only hurt him. Regardless, they just don’t look too deceptive.
Joe gets what Raheem is saying. Joe hopes Alex Van Pelt and Freeman have identified plenty of areas in which Freeman can improve.
January 22nd, 2011 at 12:11 pm
He’s obviously using them as examples to emulate because they are the best at their position…..he’s not comparing Freeman to them.
January 22nd, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Find Steve Deberg to help him with his play action!
January 22nd, 2011 at 12:20 pm
I agree JDouble.
And I disagree about Freeman’s play-action fakes. They’re excellent from my eyes. He follows through real well. Maybe they look so good because our last starting QB, JJ, was absolutely horrible at them.
January 22nd, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Id like to see him pump fake to get John Abraham or Will Smith in the air and then shoulder check him, kick him in the face while he’s down, and then throw a touchdown bomb.
January 22nd, 2011 at 12:28 pm
I think Morris is saying that Freeman has similar talent to the leagues best quarterbacks, but that is not to say his skills are as developed. Freeman continuing to do what he’s doing is a reference to his ongoing hard work at developing his skills. He just needs time and experience to go along with the prep work and he will be the equal to Manning and Brady on the field. He’s already their equal in talent and effort to improve.
January 22nd, 2011 at 12:28 pm
I don’t think that comparison is off base at all. The numbers don’t lie, and he was in that company. And I think he had to carry his team waaaay more than they did. Josh had a lot less to work with. Alot of things looked better than it should have , because of Josh’s Play. Every NFL player has a lost of thongs to work on in the off season, but Josh is fine tuning. His play was elite this year. In his first full season!!! Man, the sky is really the limit for this young man, and thus, this team!
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:08 pm
“list of things!”. Damned spell check! Although they probably work on some ” lost thongs” , Too!!
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Joe: this was Freeman’s first full season. Anyone with football knowledge can see this guy is going to be something special. Of course he needs to improve in certain areas but sheesh why the negative tone. Every quarterback needs area of improvement. The end of his first year he improved the end of this year he was only the best qb in the entire league over the last 4 games of the season. Freeman will be the best qb this franchise has ever seen and people with no knowledge can see that.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:57 pm
freeman is on the way to being in that company. you may be right about the play action joe. and he needs to re-concentrate on his footwork too. he was really good about that early in the season and seemed to forget about it some toward the end. but the kid looks really good.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:58 pm
brad, its not negative but there is always room for improvement. in this league if you aren’t getting better you are going backward
January 22nd, 2011 at 7:36 pm
C’mon Joe…he was clearly talking about their work ethic being similar, which they are.
January 24th, 2011 at 6:52 am
Freeman has been underestimated, undervalued, and has faced hard hard skepticism since he was drafted. and he will continue to face such scrutiny well into his career, even if he does perform as an elite athlete.
January 24th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
if he improves his accuracy, pocket presence, PA Fakes, footwork and reduce staring down his targets = Trouble 4 any team we face in 2011 and beyond