“Quite Frankly, If He Can’t Handle it, That’s Disappointing.”
May 3rd, 2013
Mark Dominik is not concerned that competition at QB will rattle Josh Freeman
Joe’s wondered on these pages many times how Josh Freeman would react to a backup quarterback giving him real competition in practice and how Freeman might respond to fans clamoring for his backup during a game.
Joe’s always believed that had a good chance of negatively affecting Freeman.
The boos rained down on No. 5 from the Bucs faithful multiple times last season, and surely Freeman heard them, too. But those jeers are different when they’ve got a name attached, as in third-round pick Mike Glennon.
Touring local radio airwaves this morning, rockstar general manager Mark Dominik was asked by Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski 0f 98.7 FM whether he thought Freeman might be flummoxed by a backup distraction. Dominik says he’s not concerned.
Pawlowski: Fans in Tampa Bay love the backup quarterback. They have dating all the way back to the 1980s. Are you concerned that this might be a distraction for Josh Freeman?
Mark Dominik: No I’m not. I’m not worried about that. Josh is going into his fifth year. He’s played a lot of football. That’s not the way I look at it. I’m not concerned. And quite frankly, if he can’t handle it, that’s disappointing. You know, he’s a professional. And every position there’s a lot of competition. Coach has talked about that at the end of the season, how we’re going to try to increase the competition across the board at every position. Every player on this team knows that. And so I’m not concerned about that. And I do know. I remember Casey Weldon.
Now Joe, too, knows Freeman handles himself professionally and already has reached out to Glennon, as Joe brought out yesterday.
However, Joe’s still keeping a watchful eye. A strong preseason from Glennon will develop a faction of the fan base ready to pounce of Freeman at every mistake and demand the start of the Glennon era. Right or wrong, that would be new territory for No. 5.
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:58 am
I like freeman, I really do. I just hope he can perform the same as he did last year 4000+ yards 25+ TDs. If he can just increase his completion percentage and cut his INT in half we have our man. I hope everyone is rooting for that, cause with glennon lets face facts he is not RG3 or first name russel last name Wilson. He will need time, he will literally need to be groomed into a franchise QB, cause he is basically a white josh freeman lol. So if he steps in i think and if he struggles remotely we are already taking steps back,’not forward. I think josh has it in him I’m a silent believer in freeman personally. Like Greg said, take away those 3 games with 9 INTs and we have a top QB in football.
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:05 am
What a dream come true for JBF. First, you got Revis (4 months of daily churn and media sources to write about) and now you get a QB controversy to discuss everyday until game 1… and even on Free’s off games during the season.
It’s Christmas all year for JBF. 2013 has been good to you Joe.
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:18 am
Surely Josh Freeman has faced competition at QB from his very beginning. Granted, not since he was a Buc. Usually, nothing good gets worse with competition. It usually brings out the best.
Actually, I think the best competition for Josh Freeman is not going to be from a backup quarteback….I think it will be from a much improved secondary. That should provide competion for the entire offense.
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:29 am
I agree w Dylan, I want Free to be the guy, I really do & I think he can be. But I honestly believe it’s as big a mental thing as it is a fundamentals problem. We have all heard before that Free often throws from his back foot and doesn’t step up into the pocket. There are probably things in his motion that can be improved. But I question his desire to win. When I look @ a guy like Brady, I honestly believe his strongest attribute is his competitiveness and desire to win. He demands excellence from his teammates and is in their face if they’re a step off; all he cares about is winning – and he doesn’t need a back-up as a reminder. I would like to see more of that from Free. I can DEFINITELY picture him being that kind of character, but he needs to have winning on the football field be his biggest, if not sole, priority… maybe that will come when the Tampa celebrity status gets old?
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:30 am
Freeman didn’t handle pressure well at times last year with no back up leaning over his shoulder. Hopefully Freeman has mastered the tricky offensive system of Sullivan that requires accuracy to move the ball down the field.
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:33 am
I went back and watched the Giants game and the Cows game. I noticed that every pick and bad throw was a mechanics breakdown.
Literally he is moving and throwing off the back foot or turning away from pressure and just throwing to get the ball out.
Its going to be hard for me to buy into him changing over night because his issues are traits that take time if they are fixable. We will see but I am not holding my breath.
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:46 am
@Architek,
You should watch the Philly game as well, especially the 1st half.
As far as Freeman/Glennon is concerned, not only does Glennon give Freeman some competition, he also gives the team some leverage in contract negotiations if Freeman has a good year and asks for a contract comparable to Rodgers.
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:52 am
Thank you Mark….Like I said….how can you stand the pressure of playoff games, championship games or the SB if you can’t stand “in house” competition?
Most SB Championship QB’s are as mentally tough as they are physically. Time for Josh to show us that he has as much as the former as he does the later.
May 3rd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
This is the nature of football.
May 3rd, 2013 at 12:13 pm
I think free gets it done this year. I hope we don’t need glennon. Josh is still young maybe two years older than glennon and I bet free had better numbers in college. Glennon was inconstant last year don’t think he is NFL ready
May 3rd, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Interesting that Freeman only reached our to Glennon after Glennon called Freeman. Looking forward to training camp. Think we will see there how the competition shakes or unsettles Josh. Rookies always think they are the best, so I believe Glennon will try to show his best A Game. Josh, you might want to check with your Adderal friend and see where he got it. LOL!
May 3rd, 2013 at 12:38 pm
WOW, you guys can watch TV footage and determin Free’s issues, but no NFL or college team has offered you a job yet? Did you watch his games that he played well in? Why not give us your expert “tape” watching opinion of his good days as well, he had more good days than bad days. Maybe when the defense is working Freeman will not have to try to carry the team on his back.
Someone talks about getting in the faces of others, yet when Freeman does this people claim he is blaiming others, when he does not do this people say he is not a leader…this kid cannot win with many Bucs fans.
May 3rd, 2013 at 12:44 pm
people are already pouncing on Freeman in favor of Glennon, so just imagine when the season rolls around. one interception and they will all be crying for Glennon, because there to ignorant to realize that a decent experienced QB like Freeman will always give us a better chance to win as opposed to a inexperienced rookie QB Like Glennon. the tables may turn eventually, but for now there is no way they are going to sit Freeman in favor of Glennon.
May 3rd, 2013 at 12:59 pm
even if Freeman has back to back 5 interception games.
May 3rd, 2013 at 1:19 pm
I disagree Andrew1.
I think we will see Glennon, if Freeman falters badly, and Coach Schiano feels he is ready.
Tampa has spent a TON of money, and needs to win now, especially if Dom wants to save his job.
Plus, there is the money thing. It will cost the Glazers a ton to re sign Freeman, money they can save if Glennon can do the job better, and cheaper!
Glennon has wonderful touch on his passes, when he is on his game. He never has really had the awesome receivers that Freeman has, who make him look good, in spite of his many wild throws.
Plus, Freeman is totally thrown off his game, by pressure.
His reads, especially when pressured, leave much to be desired at times.
He must have an outstanding season this year, or he may be gone, especially if Glennon picks up our offense quickly, and shows he can perform.
May 3rd, 2013 at 1:21 pm
Well said Rockstar.
And didn’t Glennon reach out to both Free and Dan?
I thought Free was the one that responded.
Either way its great to here Dom say that.
May 3rd, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Last year practice did not reflect game day, not with our secondary and pass rush.
Maybe improving defense will help Josh practice to reflect real defenses.
May 3rd, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Maybe Glennon can help him with the big words.
May 3rd, 2013 at 1:50 pm
Agreed.
His job isn’t being taken from him here. It’s being challenged. Although probably not his year. Glennon is not nearly as polished enough to actually challenge Freeman for the starting job this season. Freeman has experience on his side. (If nothing else.) Freeman just needs to stay healthy to keep his job this season.
Glennon only sees the field this season if Freeman is hurt and trust me, nobody wants to see that situation unfold.
Sometimes i think people take Freeman for granted. He is not some great upper echelon quarterback but make no mistake, we could do MUCH worse. (Byron Leftwich vs Luke McCown anybody?) There is probably fifteen teams (if not more) that would pay Freeman Flacco/Rodgers type money and first round pick(s) to come play for them. Most teams would do anything just to get a mediocre quarterback. Look at the chiefs and Alex Smith. The Raiders and Flynn. Cardinals and Palmer.
Freeman is, by no means, a superstar. (Or really even close). Potentially sure, but potential doesn’t carry a lot of weight at this point in Josh’s career. Freeman doesn’t need to transform into a top five (or even top ten) quarterback to be employed here next season. He just needs to not cost us games and possibly be a top 15 quarterback, numbers wise, to remain. He only needs those top 5 QB numbers to get the contract he most likely desires.
If he limits the turnovers and puts up the occasional big play he will stay for 2014. The competition with Glennon will probably heat up next season if he doesn’t have a monster year though.
Can’t wait for the season to get here already. (Or at least the camps to roll around. I think the rookie camp is today?)
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:06 pm
how great was Eli in his first few years in this system.. He was ready to be run out of NEW YORK, yes I struggle with the accuracy but I think he will come through with 2 years in this system that takes recievers and QB to recognize same thing and make same adjustment. He seems to always be working to get better
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:37 pm
@ Chris Apple
imo I dont believe Glennon is going to be ready this season if he is thrust into a starting role. I will eat my shorts if Glennon replaces Freeman as the starting QB other than if Freeman gets injured. lol. then again, all this is a moot point because I truly believe Freeman is going to have a great season and lead us to the playoffs.
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:57 pm
They waited till, what, early November to bring in Freeman, right? The GB throwback game.
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:54 pm
@Oil Derrick Brooks
Yes, to relieve the likes of Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson. A slight difference in competition this time around.
May 3rd, 2013 at 5:50 pm
I still think they should give Scott Milanovich a shot.