Freeman Now Fluent In Sullivanese
August 1st, 2013
Big year for Josh Freeman. Heard that before? In the first year of Mike Sullivan’s offense, Freeman struggled, let’s be honest.
Sure, he threw for franchise-record yards. Given the quarterbacks in Bucs history, is that really a laudable accomplishment? Yes, Freeman threw for over 4,000 yards last year, a feat also eclipsed by a veritable Who’s Who of quarterbacks, including such NFL luminaries as Don Majkowski, Scott Mitchell, Steve Beuerlein and Bill Kenney.
Joe’s all about wins. One can spin stats all they want but at the end of the day, it’s about wins.
Yes, Freeman is in the second year of the Mike Sullivan era. This means a great deal to Freeman. Stability, which Freeman has not had in his short career, breeds success. Look at what happened when Alex Smith finally had some stability with Jim Harbaugh. The man was a special teams fumble from a Super Bowl.
Even Freeman admits he’s well-advanced from last year when it comes to being able to talk turkey with Sullivan and knowing what the hell Sullivan is talking about, documents Tom Krasniqi of WDAE-AM 620.
Over the course of his career, Freeman has had three different offensive coordinators so continuity has been an issue. But Freeman is optimistic that with a year of offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan’s complex system under his belt, things should move more smoothly in year two. Overcoming the “language barrier” as Freeman put it has been instrumental in his development. Less thinking, more reacting.
The Bucs have placed a heavy emphasis on two-minute situations. On Wednesday, Freeman and the first team excelled. Down 21-17, the offense drove the ball downfield with Freeman hooking up with wideout Mike Williams twice on the drive. Freeman culminated the drive with a touchdown pass to WR Kevin Ogletree. “Most of the games last season came down to 7 points or less, two-minute drives,” Freeman said. “It’s something we want to work on every day.”
Freeman has struggled at times with accuracy during training camp. He attributes those struggles to the improved defense he faces each day. “It has made it a little more difficult at times,” Freeman said of the defense. “We just have to continue to run our stuff and persevere.”
If Freeman’s words are not enough for you, how about Vincent Jackson’s? Yesterday, Joe asked Jackson how players felt about being with Sullivan for a second season and Jackson told Joe that since all the players are speaking the same dialect, Sullivan has been able to add new wrinkles to the offense, sort of like a Spanish I student in high school advancing to Spanish II.
With a healthy offensive line and an advanced understanding of a complex offense, Joe really does expect Freeman to play better this season.
August 1st, 2013 at 7:25 am
I make this quick. I’d like to first say I’m a Freeman fan (i.e. I’d like to see him do well) however there are some things that worry me. He did have a fantastic season in SOME areas last year. But some of you might remember that one Aikman broadcast. Mr. Troy Aikman completely ripped him during a broadcast last year. Not only did Aikman point out Freeman’s faults/mechanics like it was Timmy Tebow behind the ball – he didn’t stop quarters 1 through 4. Now, I’m going to assume Aikman is a lot more knowledgable about football and especially quarterback than 99% of the people in the world. Here are one “trend” he pointed out that never changed throughout the season. The ONE that sticks out in my mind was Aikman pointing out that he only looks at half the field. Anyway, go figure Joe was on this story back then. Great job Joe! Let just pray that these problems went away because all I can remember was how horrified Aikman was…and that’s not good. Go Bucs! https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=74273
August 1st, 2013 at 8:00 am
M.Bruno,
I remember listening to Aikman ripping Freeman during that game. Pretty sad and embarrassing at the same time. Now a report comes out of camp that the rookie Banks is reading his eyes. Some things will never change.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:03 am
There is no doubt in my mind that this team is going to be better in the second year of this offense. My concern is are they going to be any healthier!
August 1st, 2013 at 8:13 am
M.Bruno
A couple things to consider. First, that game was only the third regular season game in Sullivan’s offense. Freeman and the rest of the offense were still learning it and were very new to it at the time.
Secondly, Troy was not exactly unbiased during that game. Going into it he mocked the Buccaneers and, of course, chose his FORMER TEAM to win.
You also have to consider the fact that Sullivan had to “rebuild” Freeman from the ground up. Both Sully and Schiano even said this during that off season. The influences of Olson had created some bad habits in Freeman.
I’d wager that if Troy called a game in which the Bucs played a team other than the Cowgirls this year he would note large areas of improvement.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:16 am
This is why they want Jfro-6pak in play-action so much. It keeps his back to the defense, then he turns and hopefully our WR have a 2-3 yard gap from their defender, Freeman has the arm to get it there quickly. But as the year went on it seemed like Freeman wants to play more out of the Shotgun, which unless the other team plays a prevent defense, JFro-6pak struggles. Also if you watch the first 2 games last year, Jfro-6pak had a play-action hand off that would even rival the Manning Brothers. but by game 4 he started back in his old sloppy, half harted handoffs. I really think that Sully is an excellent coach and hope he is retained with the Bucs for a long time.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:19 am
Biff Barker,
All quarterbacks are readable. That’s why Ronde jumped routes and got so many interceptions. Even the best QBs project.
The better ones try to cover it up and sometimes succeed, yet Ronde picked off the best time after time.
That said, it’s training camp. Freeman said the defense is much more improved. Practicing against them will help because Freeman will have to find ways to foool them daily.
So if Banks is reading the eyes of Freeman, I’m fine with it. Because Freeman can learn to de ieve him that way.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:26 am
Bonzai, no one had to rebuild Freeman. He’s had the same flawed mechanics and their resultant accuracy issues since college. He still stares receivers down too. His best football is played sandlot style because when playing within the confines of an NFL offense he struggles to execute his assignment.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:27 am
the_buc_realist
That was an insightful post. Less negative, but still pointing out an area that has concern…well done!
On the shotgun issue, part of the reason for that was the injuries on the offensive line. That backups played inconsistantly until the last game of the year. I think they played better than anyone expected and for that they deserve props, but they were better at run blocking than at pass blocking. Freeman was under constant pressure. He was hit a LOT, even as he threw the ball.
Also, he was still trying to think his way thru the complicated (but great) offensive playbook.
I believe sticking him in the shotgun was an effort to buy him a second or two more.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:27 am
He’s not even fluent in English!
August 1st, 2013 at 8:37 am
I think there is an element of truth to what you said, Biff, but there are other things to consider as well.
Under Olson, several offensive players comented that they ran ays for the first time during games. Olson literally made up plays during games. They had no time to practice those plays.
This created a confuusing environment.
Another thing to consider is Banks. His instincts might just be very good.
If Freeman was that readable he wouldn’t have kept his interceptions low most of last year and he would not have had so many yards. Because even if DBs did not pick him off a lot during most of the games, if they were “reading his eyes” they would have broken up the passes more. That would have reduced his yards.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:38 am
Bonzai, you are the epitome of optimism if you think Freeman has the football IQ to deceive anybody.
Also, the Ronde example is rather weak since he was among the very best to play the game. Ronde watched hours upon hours of film studying his opponent’s tendencies. In fact Ronde switched positions in a brand new defense and played very well.
Freeman was getting owned by pedestrian secondaries who recognize his flaws and weaknesses. He makes bad decisions with the football because he gets tattles when anything breaks down.
We’re you at the Rams game last year?
August 1st, 2013 at 8:45 am
Bruno ,
Don’t try to explain to certain people what analysts professionals and coaches evaluate freeman. Certain ones on this board think those with professional experience don’t know what they’re talking about.
There were times several instances josh looked like a lost rookie out there. Honestly I can see him declining it seemed like in the final 6 games defenses really knew what his struggles and deficiancies were. The saints for example. Week 7 josh lit them up. Week 15 he was picked 4 times and shut out.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:47 am
As to his “college years”, if he was as bad as claimed he would not have been a first round pick.
I believe that even though the other two QBs taken in the first round, Freeman will have the more successful career. I think he is better than both of them. Yes, Sanchez had early success. But clearly Freeman is proving out to be better than him.
Stafford has his moments. His 5,000 yard season was impressive. But that is the only highlight he has in his injury-prone career.
I think that the play action plays to Freeman’s strengths. He’s been held back byxstaying in the pocket so much. He’s a mobile quarterback and hopefully this year he’ll use that aspect more, if the coaches allow him.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:48 am
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that two years in the same system will do wonders. That, and Nick’s toe stays healthy – that toe worries me on such a big dude.
Good points, Boznai, Realist, and Barker.
Also, sure would be nice to have an edit button – for those of us that type on the run and leave a ton of typos. :0)
Go Bucs!
August 1st, 2013 at 9:08 am
Picking up on my comment about the team being healthier, following Twitter, I’m told that Adrian Clayborn is at practice riding the stationary bicycle with Underwood. Good sign!
August 1st, 2013 at 9:51 am
@Chris
Name someone on this board that does not agree that Freeman has had problems. As far as I’ve read, even the ones including myself who choose to give Josh at least one more chance never said Josh had no faults. Just because a fan wants Freeman to succeed doesn’t mean that they are totally blind to his mistakes. It means considering all the circumstances, that at this moment in time Freeman is our best bet and we choose to rally in his corner instead constantly berating him.
August 1st, 2013 at 10:31 am
“Freeman has struggled at times with accuracy during training camp. He attributes those struggles to the improved defense he faces each day.”
Buc1987 remembers saying in here a few weeks back. That practicing against a better secondary and defense is only going to make Freeman a better QB on gameday. Buc1987 still believes this, and I’m glad the D is throwing the kitchen sink at Freeman.
August 1st, 2013 at 10:37 am
Buc’N Junkie says :
Freeman is our best bet and we choose to rally in his corner instead constantly berating him.
Thus is why I made that banner WE BELIEVE IN FREEMAN for the Aug 8th game. Hopefully he will see it and realize that there is still MANY fans that support him. Check that I’m going to make sure he sees it.
August 1st, 2013 at 10:44 am
@Buc1987
thats a smart move on the sign, Just make sure its foldable. have it say
” WE BELIEVE IN FREEMAN.”
then by the 3rd quarter you can fold it to say
” LIEVE FREEMAN ”
we will all assume you just misspelled “Leave” and understand.
August 1st, 2013 at 10:52 am
@the_bucs_realist
Lol what a douchebag
August 1st, 2013 at 11:07 am
Listening to tkras this morning blatently spoke how josh has struggled all offseason with consistency basically on one play to the next.
Bucfan1987 , your point would be true however josh has always struggled with accuracy. Also if the defense is improved how does that affect ball placement on throws? He should be putting the ball where it’s at and hitting the open wr.
Some are just ignoring he doesn’t have great field vision. But I guess a HOF qb like Aikman doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Look I was a fan of Josh’s in 2009 when drafted and I’m a for hard fan ever since I can remember. But it pains me to see the team around the qb is strong and getting better. However not having consistency and stability at the most important position in football is concerning. I’m not here vowing glennon is better right now bc I don’t think he is there after a week of TC and was raw coming out.
Jos needs to put it together or Walter footballs prediction could be right. You saw a strong team like KC last year win a couple games bc they had no qb.
August 1st, 2013 at 11:18 am
@ Chris it does effect ball placement on throws when you have D-lineman and Levonte in your face constantly. Which according to some of you is where Freeman struggles, under pressure. It’s still very early in training camp. Maybe that’s what the coaches are trying to do more of in practice. Rattle Freeman, so they can correct that problem. I think they will fix him. It’s just going to take more and more practice. Last season’s training camp everyone was getting used everybody. Players and coaches alike. Now it’s time to correct the problems. I think the Bucs have the right people in place to do so. They will fix it, because they have to fix it. I’m sure they saw more of his problems than us fans did, they saw it up close and personal. They’ll fix it.
August 1st, 2013 at 11:26 am
Oh yeah I saw the tunnel vision too, which I think is attributed to the addition of V-Jax. I think every time he dropped back to pass, he was always looking for Jackson and nobody else. Where as in the past he just looked for the open man and spread the ball around. Well Winslow was definately his safety net and I think he misses that, and is trying to adjust to not having that net as well. Again they’ll fix him.
August 1st, 2013 at 11:37 am
Under Olson, several offensive players comented that they ran ays for the first time during games. Olson literally made up plays during games. They had no time to practice those plays.
————————————————
Where did you hear this? I’ve never heard that before and I’m finding it hard to believe anyone could be that stupid…. though it would explain why our offenses under him were so bad.
August 1st, 2013 at 1:18 pm
^^^ I, too, would like a source because I have not heard that before either. I also find it a little hard to believe as I was able to predict a lot of the play calls under Olson. If he was installing plays on the sidelines it would have at least been less predictable. It was embarrassing how predictable that offense was under Olson.