Josh Freeman Is Not Regressing
October 15th, 2011
In an effort to tap every corner of multimedia to reach just about every type of Bucs fan, TBO has a weekly Bucs podcast.
This week, Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune sits down to talk all things Bucs and in particular Cummings discusses what ails Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman.
Unlike many, Cummings does not believe Freeman is regressing during his third season.
“I would not say there are clear signs of regression,” Cummings said. “We see signs of improvement in other areas. He is making a lot of plays but those are being wiped out by penalties and drops. He’s still one of the best in third down efficiency. With six interceptions, he clearly has to clean up some of his game. I think his confidence is getting the best of him. ‘Hey, I did this last year I can do it now.'”
You can listen to the rest of the podcast by clicking this link.
October 15th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Josh Freeman has not regressed – he has simply not progressed. And it is not because he doesn’t have the ability – the playbook and the offense around him has not progressed. Last year Josh lived in the film room at one Buc and had a proper offseason to put in the preparation to build confidence and efficiency in his game. With the lockout this year, that has been taken away and more importantly DCs around the league have made a case study of his style of play and his playbook. CBs know the routes before they are run and are able to jump the routes before the ball is even thrown. It’s not just Freeman, the other WRs are predictable and are suffering from the same thing. You see Josh didn’t get any more weapons in the draft or FA as was promised by Dominik at the end of last season – there is no speed WR to stretch the field and open up the middle for Williams and Benn; there are no effective 2 or 3 TE sets; There is no legitimate FB like Vonta Leach to open holes for Blount; there is no legitimate 3rd down back like Darren Sproles coming out of the backfield, the whole damn offense is right where it was last game, last year. In case anybody is wondering, I’m still in the boat, but I’m putting on my PFD (personal floatation device) ie life vest because the forecast is for rough water ahead!!
October 15th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Woody will change his tune if we lose this game. Once a month or so he says something positive, and then the rest is negative.
October 15th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
If you are not moving forward you are moving backwards. Unless the Front Office gets him some weapons in either FA or the draft, he will not progress to an elite QB in the NFL..
October 15th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Bill, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Freeman isn’t regressing, the receivers have, and Olson as a play caller has. Josh is having a tough year, it happens. He’ll get better, he’s 23 freaking years old.
October 15th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
The biggest reason for Freemans “regression” is as Pat Kirwan said the slump of Mike Williams. But in reality neither of these guys is slumping. Teams have simply adjusted to Williams being the primary playmaker at reciever and we havent had a legit #2 step up to stop teams from scheming Mike Will out of games. Preston PArker has become as legit slot reciever but he isn’t Wes Welker. The Bucs still need a #2 to step up. Rejus has shown flashes but must become consistent. The drops and brain farts need to go and he needs to have a breakout 100+ yard effort that will scare opposing coordinators.
So in short- No Freeman is not regressing. He is simply pressing to hard to make up for lack of dynamic reciever play. I have no problem with Freemans efforts. The recievers need to start providing some more open targets and start hanging on to balls when they do get open.