Greg Schiano Sold On Josh Freeman
May 7th, 2013
There seems to be no end to the debate on whether or not Josh Freeman can lead the Bucs to the playoffs. This discussion ran wild for weeks on local airwaves and on interweb sites after the 2012 season, partially fueled by comments from Bucs coach Greg Schiano.
After dying down, this issue was whipped up again when the Bucs drafted quarterback Mike Glennon.Even Joe has admitted he is leaning skeptical about Freeman but is of the mind that Freeman still is the Bucs’ best bet.
A reader recently asked Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune if Freeman is Schiano’s guy in a TBO Bucs Q&A.
Q. Any truth to the rumor that coach (Greg) Schiano is “not sold” on Josh Freeman? All the coach’s public statements support Freeman as the Bucs’ guy. Despite some inconsistency – and a couple of really bad games down the stretch – Josh performed well last year, not to mention that spectacular midseason streak when he was awesome. At least three or four losses were due, not to poor play by Freeman, but to the collapse of the pass defense late in the games.
How about some comparison of Josh’s performance to today’s “elite” QBs at a similar stage of their careers?
– Carl Weekley, Lake Placid
A. I’ve heard the unsourced reports suggesting Schiano does not support Freeman, but I have a hard time buying them, especially after he’s gone out of his way this offseason – several times – to say Freeman is his quarterback and that he believes No. 5 can lead the Bucs to where they want to go (which I assume is the Super Bowl).
Schiano is right to want more out of Freeman, but I also know from talking to Schiano that after he looked back at last season he felt a lot better about Freeman’s play than he suggested at season’s end. He realizes that Freeman only had a couple of bad games. Now, those bad games need to be turned into good ones, but Freeman, at age 25, isn’t so set in his ways that he can’t make the necessary adjustments.
As for comparisons, the Bucs offered one late last season, just before Freeman had the two meltdown games that soured everyone on him. It showed his passer rating to that point ahead of several notable Pro Bowl quarterbacks.
– Woody Cummings
This is what Joe will say about Freeman: Joe is sometimes called a “Freeman hater,” which is absurd. Joe hates Freeman’s inconsistency.
There is no question Freeman is the answer for the Bucs, if the team is to make the playoffs this season. Anyone who thinks Glennon can lead the Bucs this season to January games, well, the bartender needs to cut them off before they hurt themselves.
As far as quarterback ratings that Cummings cites, don’t get Joe started. Stats, damned stats and USA Today. Quarterback rating may be one of the worst made-up stats in recent years. It’s bogus.
What is Joe supposed to say about a stat that is purported to measure the value of a signal-caller when slugs like Jeff George, Marc Bulger and Neil Lomax have higher quarterback ratings than Johnny Unitas and Phil Simms?
To quote the great Normal Chad, only in fantasy football would you actually want Jeff George. As Joe has stated countless times, aside from Rachel Watson, Joe doesn’t live in a fantasy world.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
No question Joe…it’s freeman or fall as far as Super Bowl hopes go. You take his midseason stud performance and he was better than any qb in the league.yes even Rodgers, Brady, and the mannings…but those other games are a different story. His only problem is inconsistency…but there is true brilliance to his play when he’s on…
May 7th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
I can’t imagine why people would think that a website that nicknamed Freeman “Bust In Waiting” from the moment he was drafted would be a Josh Freeman hater.
Or a website that threw a temper tantrum over a photo shoot.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Schiano can say he is the best Qb in the league and it does not mean that is how he is viewed. Money talks, and i don’t see a contract extension!
May 7th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
I’m not sure why people thing it’s just 2-3 games he played bad.
Week 1- defense dominated. Free was meh. Average.
Week 2- good first half the leads offense to several 3 and outs and a TO that sparks the giants. Then plays well in last 2 drives. Meh average.
Week 3- awful.
Week 4- awful 1st half. Good 3rd qtr. meh 4th qtr.
week 6- Kc was a toss up for me. Through a lot of balls that Wrs made plays on. Didn’t think his stats were reflective of his play. The way I saw it. He made some throws that Routt couldn’t even locate.
Week 7. Good performance. Terrible defense.
Week 8. Good performance against Minnesota. Was impressed.
Week 9. Another good performance against Oakland.
Week 10. Good performance against chargers.
Week 11. Struggled a bit early but came bak against Carolina.
Week 12. Very inconsistent. Missed too many easy throws and missed open Wrs that was hurtful against Atlanta.
Week 13- awful performance against Denver. Padded his stats late.
Week 14- awful performance against the eagles defense who dropped 6 INTs.
Week 15- terrible against the worst defense in the nfl.
Week 16- terrible against the rams.
Week 17- solid performance against Atlanta. Wasn’t great but wasn’t awful.
Overall he put together a good stretch against pour it’s defenses minus Minnesota. That made me think he was getting tere after that but then I figured it was a fluke.
Idk what to say going into this season other than I wouldn’t be surprised if we see glennon. I think Josh’s deficiancies are things that cannot be broken. He’s had the issues of footwork, staring down Wrs, inaccurate throws and decision making since college. If he hasn’t broken them now, I think it’s wishful thinking to think he does it now ?
His inconsistent play reflects one of a back up. Can come in and play well for a couple games but ask him to do it week after week isn’t going to happen.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
And who thought that Wilson would lead the team the way he did? Or Colin carry the 49ers the way he did. At least Glennon is very intelligent, like all the good QB’s. You can’t fix stupid.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
^^^Agreed. I read this stupid crap about he only had 2 bad games which is garbage. He plays poorly more so than he plays well.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Where are the apologists, whom think Buc Brass “opinions” are worth their weight in gold?
Freeman’s seat in scorching!
Time for Freeman to fulfill Buccaneer prophecy in 2013, or walk the plank!
May 7th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Who is the best NFL QB in FL?
Gabbert, Freeman or Tannehill?
2013 is a big year for all three of these jokers.
One will rise, and two will fall.
Freeman better beat the Phins on MNF this year, no headset malfunction, misscommunications, or any excuse for why we do not get a “W”.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
to all you Freeman haters: Freeman aint goin nowhere for at least another season, so deal with it.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:51 pm
If you are banking on Glennon taking you to the playoffs good luck with that. Not saying it can’t be done, just wouldn’t bet on it. Colin sat for a year and he is super athletic. Wilson is also athletic and was very accurate in college. You’re better off comparing him to Andy Dalton. All those QB’s had top ten defense, so it also helped.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
I’m looking forward to the preseason to see how Glennon plays. If he does well that will stir the pot if Freeman falters in the regular season. should be an interesting year.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@ Sneedy
exactly. I would also add that the only reason why Wilson dropped to the third round is because he is only 6 feet tall. if he was any taller he would have gone in the first round.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Nobody is banking on Glennon. If anyone is, that is mighty dumb of them. This is Freemans year to shine. Glennon hopefully doesnt see the field at all this year unless Free plays like ass right out of the gate. Personally though, I dont think it would be to hard for a rookie to come in and get us 6 wins which is the average of what Josh was getting us…. just sayin.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
I don’t think “Gabbert” can even be mentioned in the same sentence as “NFL” and “QB”.
No doubt Freeman’s seat is glowing white hot. He knows in a contract year that it is do or die time. So does everybody on the planet over the age of twelve. There is not a single reporter/analyst/fan/person/man/woman/cat/fish/elf anywhere that thinks Freeman can tank this season and remain a Buccaneer. (At least not a well paid one.)
This is going to be the longest four-ish months of my life.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:04 pm
Andrew and that guy , line up another photo shoot for your guy. He can’t handle distractions. That’s when his slide went down to hell. He will not be counting any more big money unless he gets the head on his shoulders straight. Watch the new guy Glennen surprise everyone with his play.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
I find it funny that when you talk good about your team you are an “apologists”. Why is that? Yes we know some people have flaws, but to just continually repeat the same thing every post gets old.
I know everyone has an opinion, but to just be negative on every article posted just puzzles me. The season hasn’t started, but I see some people predicting a losing season. What fan does that? I’m excited about this season, and I’m looking forward to making the playoffs. That does not make me a pop star or a Freeman apologist just an optimist. I just want my team to win and hope that Freeman can do it, and if he can’t then so be it. Until then Go Bucs!! I’m Pumped!!
May 7th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
@ LadyZ
I’ll repeat myself
Freeman is not going anywhere for at least another year, so deal with it.
also you might want to learn how to spell the name of the guy you want Freeman replaced with. it might make your argument sound a little more credible.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
It’s possible he could lead us to the playoffs, but it’s also likely he could be absolutely Vinnie-rific when he gets there.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Playoffs. 2013. Bucs. Led by Freeman?
May 7th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
If there is a playoffs in 2013 for the Bucs it can only be led by Freeman.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
@ stevek
why is that so hard to believe? if Freeman does play with a little more consistently, like i believe he will, then why would that be out of the realm of possibilities?
I know thats a big IF, but there are plenty of IFs riding on the bucs playoffs chances. why just mention Freeman’s.
May 7th, 2013 at 7:09 pm
I hope we only see Glennon because the bucs are blowing teams out. GO BUCS!
May 7th, 2013 at 7:21 pm
There really is no point in discussing this… the season is only a few months away.
Hopefully Joe can get some video footage of Glennon in training camp. Would love to see his big, booming arm.
May 7th, 2013 at 7:25 pm
If that scrawny kid, Glennon, doesn’t add some weight and muscle to that cost hanger frame, he won’t survive a series in the big leagues!
What has that guy been eating- tofu and lettuce?
Don’t understand how he can be that puny, playing ball in a BBQ and potatoe state like Carolina.
Feed that kid, and get his butt in the Weight room!!
May 7th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
IF the Bucs do make it to the playoffs it will likely be the defense that gets them their…. Good example would be Sanchez and the Jets getting to the AFC championship 2 years in a row… Sanchez has more wins and playoff appearances than JF and he is still likely to soon be out of a job.
Hopefully their will be some extremely gifted QBs in next years draft and the Bucs Finally find a true “FRANCHISE QB”!
May 7th, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Joe,
I’m getting hit with malware block warnings
from MalwareBytes every time I go to JBF.com tonight.
Just fyi….
May 7th, 2013 at 9:12 pm
2013 Bucs are playoff bound and Josh will be in the pro bowl…..
That’s right, I said it ……
LOLing @ The Freeman hate group…
Top 15 defense will get us there.
May 7th, 2013 at 9:35 pm
C’mmon man! It took Eli 3 years to master this type of offense……Plus he has a make shift OL. He will be fine…..
May 7th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
mpmalloy:
Everything is fine on Joe’s end. It may be a Google ad, which unfortunately happens from time to time.
Joe has zero control over Google ads. 🙁
Joe is confident it is temporary.
May 7th, 2013 at 9:41 pm
Tom,
Freeman is going on year 5, with 55 starts and he wears #5, so this should be his year.
May 7th, 2013 at 10:26 pm
What a great photo of the Lovely Miss Watson.
Freeman will play better behind Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph. If TE’a can block finally, that too will make a difference. Josh needs to stop playing scared in the pocket, get some balls and come out swinging.
I have mixed feelings about Josh, but I do believe has what it takes to get the Bucs in the playoffs. McNulty definitely has his work cut out for him though.
May 7th, 2013 at 10:27 pm
It is my belief that when things go bad for a team, the first place fans point the blame is the quarterback. It’s been that way forever. But it doesn’t make it right.
Cast your votes on these comparisons…is Freeman better than any of these guys where at the same point in their career:
Favre? Brees? P. Manning? E. Manning? Rivers? Brady?
Also, ask yourself this…is he better than Dilfer, King, Simms, Brad Johnson, Jeff Garcia, Vinnie or Doug Williams were?
It’s my opinion that Freeman was a developmental quarterback when he was drafted, and that he is, as of last year, starting to come into his own. Many of those elite quarterbacks I mentioned above did not “come into their own” until their 5th year. Freeman took some pretty good steps in his 4th year.
Why did I mention past Bucs quarterbacks (none were elite)? Because people always think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Doug Williams was the last successful quarterback the Bucs drafted (pre-Freeman), and frankly, he wasn’t THAT great.
Josh Freeman is the first QB we’ve seen drafted by Tampa that can become elite IN Tampa as he matures.
I believe Freeman is the best QB this town has had…ever. He is the kind of QB that should spend his career in Tampa. I know, he isn’t elite yet. But I believe that will come this year or next…hopefully this year.
But at least this story puts the “Glennon is here to prove Schiano doesn’t like Josh” conversations down. I don’t believe Glennon will be a total bust, but I will be surprised if he is ever more than a good backup.
May 7th, 2013 at 10:34 pm
Oh, and this has been a problem for weeks now…doesn’t seem temporary.
May 7th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Excellent post BuccaneerBonzai! That has been my thoughts on Freeman as well. He isn’t great (yet) but we could do MUCH worse. (Byron Leftwich vs Luke McCown anybody?)
May 7th, 2013 at 11:04 pm
Watch Mike Glennon on gruden camp wedsday at 2:30.It just might sell you on Glennon.Glennon is going to be the next Brady!!!!!!!!
May 7th, 2013 at 11:21 pm
Bonzai:
Not sure what to tell you. Perhaps the settings on Firefox is messed up?
Joe hasn’t had a malware issue in months. Just tonight, Joe had his IT guy run a test on the site. Test results came back that the site is clean of malware.
May 8th, 2013 at 6:52 am
“There is no question Freeman is the answer for the Bucs…”
Actually there IS a question. That’s why you wrote the article.
May 8th, 2013 at 8:01 am
Sort of on topic, I was just thinking. Would the Bucs have won a Superbowl with Trent Dilfer?
It’s worth considering. We had the defense. Deciding whether he was better or worse than Brad Johnson (when he played here) could be challenging.
Is it possible the Bucs gave up on Dilfer a little too soon? He did, after all, win a Superbowl with the Ravens, another team known for defense.
I am in no way suggesting the Trent Dilfer was a great quarterback…I think we all know he wasn’t. He isn’t even a very good commentator. But…could he have done for the Bucs what Brad Johnson did? In theory, the reason he did it with the Ravens is because he had reached that level of maturity where he didn’t force things to happen and focused on mistake-free football.
He could have just as easily done that in Tampa. Perhaps we would have won a Superbowl a year or so sooner even (possibly)?
Just an interesting thought.
May 8th, 2013 at 8:21 am
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