The Freeman-Schiano Relationship
April 24th, 2013
“The entire offseason, I’ve been in constant communication with coach on football-related issues, life-related things. Coach and I have a great relationship. Every now and again people would call and say, ‘What’s up with your coach?’ We know how it is and it’s something that I’m not too concerned about. I’m living it and I know how it is.” — Josh Freeman, asked about speculation that he and Greg Schiano have a bad relationship. (Transcription via WTSP-TV).
CBS Sports senior NFL writer Pete Prisco, and others in the media, have said repeatedly that Greg Schiano and Josh Freeman have a strained relationship.
Frankly, Joe doesn’t buy it and Joe finds the whole premise ridiculous.
In addition to yesterday’s Freeman quote above, Joe doesn’t see any need for Freeman and Schiano to be all huggy and tight. It just doesn’t matter, nor is it important. It’s not like Schiano is Chucky or Sean Peyton calling plays and completely up the ass of the offense.
All Freeman and Schiano need is mutual respect. And Joe’s very confident that exists. Listening to Freeman communicate over the years, Joe can say that he’s the ultimate company man. Hell, Schiano (over two offseasons) has yet to bring in any viable competition for Freeman. That’s hardly a head coach that has a problem with his QB.
Now if Freeman keeps throwing away games, and the Bucs play well around him, then Joe could surely see Schiano advising Team Glazer and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik that he wants a new QB so the team can have a shot at a Super Bowl.
Even if that happens, Joe still would doubt that Schiano and Freeman would have a bad relationship in 2013. It’s not like Schiano is going to yank Freeman in favor of Dan Orlovsky or a rookie. If Schiano sours on Freeman, it’ll be because Freeman earned it on the field.
April 24th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
If he learns how to hit his receivers in the chest and not stare down his target I bet Schiano will love Freeman…I cant think of too many quarterbacks with a better situation than freeman. Think about everything that’s around him. Great o-line, two strong receivers, stud running back and now a defense that looks scary, at least on paper. Screw playing good enough. Freeman needs to come out and shine or the bucs move on. It’s scary to think what one of the elite quarterbacks could do with our team.
April 24th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
terraj v jax had his best year as a proffesional last year,im pretty sure freeman had something to do with this. but according to you he cant hit anybody. its scary to think what could be if we just had some smarter fans.
April 24th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
haha I remember you, You’re the clown that said the bucs should grab tavon austin with the 13th pick. I noticed you havent posted much since everyone laughed you off the boards….and throwing it up 40 yards down field to a 6’5 receiver is a little different than hitting someone on a slant in coverage. Those are the tough throws freeman needs to work on.
April 24th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
There is no problem… I see them daily working well togther for Pete’s sake. This is all media hog wash.
Schiano admitted that Free only had 3 bad games last year, and if the defense could have done a better job at stopping the other team from blowing leads, then nobody would even be discussing this topic.
April 24th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Freeman is one of the “Buccaneer Men”
April 24th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Schiano is probably feeling the strain of havint ot dummy down his vocabulary and use one syllable words for The Moron.
April 24th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Hell, the proof is right there in the Buccaneer secret handshake!
April 24th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
I wish sports writers had to identify sources to there bosses or something. I get the feeling that sports writers are free to write whatever they want with no proof.
April 24th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Freeman is by no means a moron, as many fans like to state (people who have never had a conversation with the guy, no less). He has had a different offense every year since he got into the league, and is still barely older than many of the incoming QBs and 2nd-yr guys. He was one of the best QBs in the league for a stretch of 5 or 6 games last year, and had a great year by all measurements outside of the last 3 games. All of that was also done while being down multiple scores thanks to a putrid defense, and being forced to throw into coverage repeatedly to try and bring the team back. With a better defense, and the same weapons on offense, I think this will be Freeman’s break out year, and the Bucs will be lucky to have him as their QB of the future.
April 24th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
@mvermulm
Free’s a Boob just does this for every Freeman article. I think Freeman must of picked on him in school or something.
April 24th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
terraj- Never got laughed off any board, im just the one that reminds you how dumb you are. Not the austin supporter, love him but havent said anything about him. Thanks for switching your name backwards, i couldnt stand the thought of anyone mistaking one of your dumb comments for mine.
April 24th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
Im on the fence with Free personally. He doesn’t deserve to be a starting QB next season if he plays anywhere near the level he has been playing at the last few years.
We always have this dog and pony show of Free die hards finding every possible excuse as to why it isn’t his fault. Face it, he wasn’t good last year and he was terrible the year before. He needs to improve and its on him. No more excuses, put up or shut up time for Free. Most QBs would kill to have the talent surrounding them that Free has.
April 24th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
@BigSombrero
I agree with some of your comment there. My only problem with evaluating Free (or really any part of the team) is that the secondary was SO BAD that it makes it difficult to determine how good (or bad) Josh really was. Sure, if he was the next Tom Brady he would have put the team on his back and won games on his own but can you really expect that from anyone? Is a QB “bad” or “awful” because he is not good enough to compensate for massive deficiencies in other parts of the team? Would it be so bad if we had a stellar run game and a stifling defense and Freeman was simply…average? (Alex Smith status maybe?) A QB just good enough to win the occasional game but not be the cause of a loss? I, myself, really don’t even know.
I am not saying Free is good. I am not saying Free is bad. (I have the same opinion on Dom). Lets just see what happens this year with some consistent, quality coaching.
April 24th, 2013 at 4:38 pm
I am by no means saying Free is the best QB in the league, and that if he plays terribly next season that we still don’t replace him. I just don’t think he was as bad as many people make him out to be either. After 13 games last season he had 25 TDs and only 8 INTs. When it was all said and done, he was 9th in yds and 7th in TDs last season, and outside of the Dallas & last 3 games, he played pretty well. He definitely needs to work on his underneath passing and comp percentage, but having a second year in a system (for the first time in his career) and a better defense should help quite a bit.
April 24th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Pardon me. I was seated next to him on a plane two different times. Even one syllable is a challenge
April 24th, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Winning cures everything. Freeman is acutely aware of his situation this year. He must Earn his contract through his play this year.
April 24th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
@Free’s A Boob
Pardon me if I have doubt that Freeman flies coach.
Your “one syllable is a challenge” remark is either sarcastic or a complete lie. Either that or his press conferences are all scripted.
Why not, instead of just trolling, point out some specifics as to why “Free’s a Boob”?
I will save you the complexity of forming an original thought. It is because you can’t. Chiming in every time Freeman is mentioned and mindlessly adding, “How much would it cost to buy him a brain?” shows your inability to even form a complete thought.
Freeman has is issues but hurling insults at his intelligence shows more about your own insecurity than anything else.
April 24th, 2013 at 6:46 pm
The criticism is so unfair. Freeman has been in three different offenses. In the first two, he was specifically told to stare down receivers and to chuck the ball into the stands when we’re in the red zone, and we expect him to just turn on a dime. Unfair.
April 24th, 2013 at 7:12 pm
He gets paid a whole lot of money to win football games. If you dont win you get criticized. Thats how it works. Money or criticism. I think its very fair.
April 24th, 2013 at 7:22 pm
lol guess Joe didn’t like the thumb war
April 24th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
@Free’s A Boob
what’s your personal beef with Fee did he Cock Block you at a local watering hole. He no doubt needs to be more consistent but damn he is young and byfar the most talented Buc’s QB since doug williams. give the dude a chance year 2 same system… People seem to forget all of his clutch comebacks first couple of years. Second year in same system I am confident in 5
April 24th, 2013 at 7:45 pm
Free’s A Boob is nothing more than………………………Ronaiah Tuiasosopo
April 24th, 2013 at 9:34 pm
Freeman has the best opportunity in the world this year, let’s just hope he is up for the challenge, consistently.
Barring injuries, no reason Freeman can’t make the Bucs a top 6 NFC team (playoffs).
Dominick did him a great service, never having to face a pick sixer again. 🙂
April 24th, 2013 at 11:27 pm
I’m the first to admit there were times last year, I’d be sitting in the stands shaking my head at some throws or decisions Freeman was making, then a few minutes later I am on my feet screaming and cheering because of the throw he just made. Bottom line is he is our Quaterback until he isn’t, so everyone needs to get off his back and support the man! He’s a great kid, with a tremendous upside. If we run him out of town we will regret it.
April 25th, 2013 at 1:34 am
I thought we were all suppose to ignore the guy that spouts off racist remarks about Freeman’s intelligence. We were all doing so well for so long.
April 25th, 2013 at 2:24 am
The biggest beef I have with Freeman is his heart is not in the game all the time. For example – when did things turn sour last year? ” When he started modeling and moonwalking in that photo shoot. * He has quiet running the ball, because – he doesn’t like to run(Josh Freeman Radio show, WDAE 620 AM.). Only 24, multiple coordinators, never his fault(watch him on the sideline after a _up.
I just want him to put football first , take responsibity not just the glory, and show some guts. That would say to me that he is a real Buccaneer Man! Come on Josh, time to put your big boy jock strap on.
April 25th, 2013 at 9:42 am
Schiano is going to have a good relationship with his QB lets just clear that one up lol..
If not solely because he loves being a mentor figure in his players lives but because he’s competitive as hell and he knows the only way to get things rolling in the right direction is to have a healthy, productive relationship with his starting QB.