Schiano: Freeman Will “Get A Little Mojo Going”
September 17th, 2013
Greg Schiano gave a telling glimpse into his Josh Freeman outlook last night during The Greg Schiano Show on WDAE-AM 620, and it was genuinely positive and based on history.
A Mike Glennon Mob member called in pleading to Schiano to give Glennon shot because Freeman is “not even a junior college quarterback.”
The head coach responded by saying that he believes Freeman will soon get into a rhythm much like he did last season. Freeman, per Schiano, started slow in 2012 before exploding.
“We’re going to work real hard with [Freeman]” as we’ve been doing, Schiano said. “When you get a little mojo going, a little rhythm going, it can take you a long way.”
Schiano was clear that he believes Freeman will soon get that mojo.
Last year, the Bucs’ franchise quarterback completed just 41-of-80 passes through the first three games for 491 yards, with four touchdowns and three interceptions. After that, Freeman looked like an MVP candidate, tossing 17 touchdowns and four interceptions over the next seven games.
So it makes sense that Schiano would view Freeman — and possibly Mike Sullivan — as a slow starter primed for a breakout. It also sets the table for Schiano to give Freeman only two or three more games to look good before pulling the plug.
September 17th, 2013 at 8:08 am
You can’t coach “mojo” therefore you can’t fix it. We are now in the “hope zone”..
September 17th, 2013 at 8:15 am
“It also sets the table for Schiano to give Freeman only two or three more games to look good before pulling the plug.”
Setting higher expectations for Freeman now will make it easier to bench him if he doesn’t perform. So there couldn’t be any better position for Schiano to take. If we are 0-4 at the break because of Freeman’s bad play…we will see Glennon start game 5.
I think we will beat Arizona at home, so that won’t happen.
September 17th, 2013 at 8:18 am
With the way New England offense is play (lack of receivers) we might be able to pull off and upset.
September 17th, 2013 at 8:28 am
So much for getting that mojo going or started in the preseason. It takes a REAL rocket scientist to figure that out. Unfortunately by the time he does get that mojo going (if he does), the season will already be over for us. Who knows, maybe Sunday it will click. However, with former Bucs having their mojo going either against us or around the league, I am not feeling too optimistic.
September 17th, 2013 at 8:29 am
Schiano wants nothing more than to see Freeman improve his game into a “winner”. Schiano would love to see Freeman step up, provide consistency, and do enough throughout games to score 21 points, or 3 TDs in 4 quarters of football.
Can Freeman step up? So far, not so much.
We are 0-2. We need to get back on track.
The Patriots have 10 days to prepare for us. Yikes.
We need to see measurable improvement from the QB position.
September 17th, 2013 at 8:34 am
Someone who wanted Glennon to start called another QB “not even a junior college quarterback?” H’ooooookaayy…
September 17th, 2013 at 8:36 am
If your going to compare the beginning of this year to the beginning of last year, then what about comparing how he ENDED the season as well… you know the melt down in which he still has recovered from apparently?
The caller is RIGHT!! Freeman must go. START GLENNON!! GO BUCS!!
September 17th, 2013 at 8:37 am
has not*
September 17th, 2013 at 8:46 am
This team would be scary IF Freeman could get his mojo going. I think we can all agree that when Freeman is in a groove, he is pretty damn impressive. If only he could do that for a whole season, this team would be a legitimate Superbowl contender. That’s why I always had Freeman’s back. This team really does go as far as Freeman takes them.
Like I said a couple days ago, Freeman has two games to get himself together and start producing.
September 17th, 2013 at 8:55 am
We all know what the definition of insanity is.
Remember the ol’ Charlie Brown / Lucy kicking the football bit? I want whoever is at QB for TB to succeed, but, at what point to you realize that this is who he is? He starts slow. He plays great later in games, and he has streaks of multiple games where he looks amazing. But, is that enough for any of you?
Let’s just say after college, and after 57 (58?) starts, let’s just say he continues as he has. Why would you think the light suddenly goes on?
September 17th, 2013 at 8:58 am
I agree Sneedy. I just can’t see trashing the season and pulling Freeman. I don’t know what we have in Glennon but if we pull j5 we can’t put him back in. He only had three bad throw that game. The others were drops and penalties. (per Steve White and I agree)
On a plus note, the Black and Gold crowd was not nearly as strong as I expected at the game. Was glad to see that.
If the D keeps helping out with TD’s of their own that would be a great.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:01 am
Unfortunatley after 0-3 Mojo becomes irrelevant.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:05 am
It’s not all freeman , do you think if Glennon is QB Dotson won’t get a illegal procedure ? It’s all the pieces coming together …. That’s how the offense works .. Keep blaming our franchise QB tho , whatever works for ya ..
Schiano = Bobby petrino
September 17th, 2013 at 9:07 am
Brandon Meriweather fined, not suspended.
It’s official. We’re marked.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:09 am
Anyone who is ….a.) a true Bucs fan, b.) actually understands and watches all phases of the game, and c.) is focused on this team and not meaningless statistics from past teams; will understand that Freeman is far from the main problem here. Just imagine if V-Jax makes those 2 very catchable 3rd down grabs in the first half and those drives continue, as opposed to putting our defense on the field again to grind 2 extra times that they didn’t need to. How far would that have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency”.
Imagine if Mike Williams and D Dotson could line up properly and/or check with the official. Freeman made a text book play that good QB’s make, he put up a catchable ball to his stud reciever and gave him a chance to make a play, which V-jax made good on. How far would those 2 plays have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency?
Imagine if stud King David doesn’t make a last second screw up on Gino Smith and a 12 yr veteran NFL kicker hits a 47 harder, how far would that have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency”
Can Josh improve, you bet. But in case you need to be reminded, it is still a team sport and the superficial won/loss “Freeman” stats being thrown around these boards are laughable. The stats belong to the team, for painfully obvious reasons like those stated above.
Bottom line is JF5 can play better and probably will, but these 2 losses are not on him. I’m puzzled as to why so many people think they are.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:13 am
Excuse after excuse after excuse. Hell, let’s just start Freeman 5 more years and see if the wimp can find some mojo.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:15 am
Buccaray … Bingo , spot on
September 17th, 2013 at 9:18 am
I honesty think the Buccaneers would be one of the NFL’s most feared teams if we had a half azzed QB.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:21 am
Freeman needs to win some game. He has not won some games in a while.
When is Freeman expected to win?
Let’s go Freemanites, Let’s go! Excuse after excuse.
When do Freeman’s stats and game results start to matter? When are the Bucs expected to contend?
September 17th, 2013 at 9:22 am
I’d rather start Glennon after the Bye week to see what we have in him before we go and waste a first round pick on another “franchise” QB. Fan since 1977.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:30 am
Amen Buccaray! Preach it! I love when people understand the game and the situation. If we can stop running into a wall on 1st and 2nd all the time and giving Free all those 3rd and long situations constantly it would help too. I’d like to see the stat on how many 3rd and >6 Freeman has faced already this year, mainly due to playcalling and gameplanning.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:34 am
Look:
I joke around about the being a Mob member and wanting
to pull Freeman yesterday in favor of the Mob boss,
but it’s just that: joking and having fun on the internet.
The **** has hit the fan now.
No time for joking.
Lets get serious.
I disagree vehemently w/ the anti-Schiano mob.
We’re already seeing superior defense and it will only get better
and better and better under Schiano.
The Freeman drama is not unexpected and FRANKLY it
should have happened years ago.
Freeman is a young kid slacker whose been skating by on
‘potential’ for years….
Someone has finally told Freeman to man-up and grow-up.
That person is Schiano.
Schiano has no agenda against Freeman
Schiano HAS a big agenda against slackers.
ONE excellent game from Freeman should do wonders.
TWO excellent games would silence the real Mob members.
THREE would cement Freeman and Schiano’s relationship.
Back the **** up and give the Bucs some breathing room.
Don’t play into the hands of the media and their surreptitious
agendas….be smarter than that.
Go Bucs!
September 17th, 2013 at 9:36 am
Buccaray,
Yeah, it is such a shame that Josh Freeman is the only QB in the history of the NFL to have his receivers drop a couple balls and have his offensive line get a couple of penalties! It just isn’t fair that Tom Brady’s receivers catch every pass thrown their way and that the Packers offensive line has never been offsides or lined up illegally for Aaron Rodgers! It’s an injustice!
September 17th, 2013 at 9:39 am
Funny to me how we have had Josh’s stats shoved down our throats all off-season long, which to the freemanites was all the proof they needed to say he was great…. Funny how none of them wants to talk about his stats now.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:40 am
mpmalloy,
Nice post, let’s be 3-2 and all is good.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:45 am
There is a word for this, and that is STREAKY. I dont know about yall, but I’d prefer to have a consistent QB rather than a night and day QB. This team is to be hampered by a QB that is good maybe 50 percent of the time
September 17th, 2013 at 9:54 am
I doubt mojo and freeman will ever get together. Freeman would likely miss mojo with an overthrow.
And when mojo was there for the taking, schiano would run,run,run then kick a fg. And mojo would dance away unimpressed.
The only mojo for the bucs is excuses mojo.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:55 am
I’ve regressed my posting as the comment section has become pretty vile. Tighten the bootstraps and move on to the next one! Two close games that should have gone our way and they didn’t. We were competitive on the field. EXECUTION IS KEY!!!! Every offensive play is designed to go house and every defensive play is designed to stop the offense. It comes down to EXECUTION and who can do it better.
@ Buccaray
“Anyone who is ….a.) a true Bucs fan, b.) actually understands and watches all phases of the game, and c.) is focused on this team and not meaningless statistics from past teams; will understand that Freeman is far from the main problem here. Just imagine if V-Jax makes those 2 very catchable 3rd down grabs in the first half and those drives continue, as opposed to putting our defense on the field again to grind 2 extra times that they didn’t need to. How far would that have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency”.
Imagine if Mike Williams and D Dotson could line up properly and/or check with the official. Freeman made a text book play that good QB’s make, he put up a catchable ball to his stud reciever and gave him a chance to make a play, which V-jax made good on. How far would those 2 plays have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency?
Imagine if stud King David doesn’t make a last second screw up on Gino Smith and a 12 yr veteran NFL kicker hits a 47 harder, how far would that have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency”
Can Josh improve, you bet. But in case you need to be reminded, it is still a team sport and the superficial won/loss “Freeman” stats being thrown around these boards are laughable. The stats belong to the team, for painfully obvious reasons like those stated above.
Bottom line is JF5 can play better and probably will, but these 2 losses are not on him. I’m puzzled as to why so many people think they are.”
THIS is smart analysis. Look at the team as a whole. I was at the game and the first thing out of my mouth when Colston caught that last ball was “Great. Now they will blame this loss on #5.” How unfortunate I was to be correct….
September 17th, 2013 at 10:01 am
“Freeman would likely miss mojo with an overthrow.”
Nice one, Pete.
September 17th, 2013 at 10:05 am
Schiano and Sullivan have built this offense around Freeman’s strengths and style because they knew they were stuck with him for a while. They have given him every chance to succeed
September 17th, 2013 at 10:22 am
I hope mojo is synonymous with testicles.
September 17th, 2013 at 10:39 am
If Schiano hates Freeman so much, why not just throw him to the wolves? When he screws up, won’t it be that much easier to justify his release?
3rd and 6, let him throw. If he completes it, you’re a genius, if not, you say, “It’s Freeman and he blows goat.”
If I’m Schiano (and I am assuming that he really doesn’t like Freeman as his QB), I’m doing everything I can to give Freeman the rope the hang himself with. I’m trying to let him throw picks, I’m trying to get him sacked. I’d really take the handcuffs off and let him do whatever the F he wants. And when it goes south, you have all the more reason to switch to Glennon and you won’t hear a PEEP of push-back.
September 17th, 2013 at 10:49 am
So lets stick with Freeman and only win 7 or 8 games a season because he starts slow and doesn’t finish. We will never see the playoffs again as long as Six Flags Freeman is our QB.
September 17th, 2013 at 10:56 am
So what happens if he has 7 or 8 games this year as he did last year?
Do we sign him to a new contract or even worse franchise tag him and pay him 20 million plus?
I say no, go with Glennon now and see what we have. We already know Josh is the most inconsistent QB in the league and the sad thing is we moved up a few spots in the 1st round to draft a QB that everyone knew his knock was that he was inconsistent.
If Josh had as much passion for playing football as dressing up like Michael Jackson he would be a HOF QB.
September 17th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
9 completions.. 9!
September 17th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Thanks Lightningbuc, after considering your deep analysis of every QB in history having had drops; and that Brady and Rogers are on teams that have also had penalties, I realized that you are probably correct that my specific analysis of these 2 games is way off base and Freeman’s “inconsistency” is the real culprit.
I was strongly considering a full retraction based on just that, but then your thoughtful posting of gleeful praise for Pete I’s nursery rhyme really brought it home for me.
I owe you. Thanks man and please keep up the thought provoking posts. I think I speak for the group when I say we all benefit from your keen insights.
September 17th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
@WhatOffense?
3 bad throws…. one other bad play….
September 17th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
This post by Buccaray is spot on… People need to get your head examined. Did you see what Glennon did in the 4th preseason game?
Freeman made 3 bad throws and one bad play when he held the ball to long. He can catch the ball line up on the line and defend the whole field. Please go back and review the all 22 if you want to dispute this…. you cant.
@ Buccaray
“Anyone who is ….a.) a true Bucs fan, b.) actually understands and watches all phases of the game, and c.) is focused on this team and not meaningless statistics from past teams; will understand that Freeman is far from the main problem here. Just imagine if V-Jax makes those 2 very catchable 3rd down grabs in the first half and those drives continue, as opposed to putting our defense on the field again to grind 2 extra times that they didn’t need to. How far would that have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency”.
Imagine if Mike Williams and D Dotson could line up properly and/or check with the official. Freeman made a text book play that good QB’s make, he put up a catchable ball to his stud reciever and gave him a chance to make a play, which V-jax made good on. How far would those 2 plays have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency?
Imagine if stud King David doesn’t make a last second screw up on Gino Smith and a 12 yr veteran NFL kicker hits a 47 harder, how far would that have gone to improve Freeman’s “inconsistency”
Can Josh improve, you bet. But in case you need to be reminded, it is still a team sport and the superficial won/loss “Freeman” stats being thrown around these boards are laughable. The stats belong to the team, for painfully obvious reasons like those stated above.
Bottom line is JF5 can play better and probably will, but these 2 losses are not on him. I’m puzzled as to why so many people think they are.”
September 17th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
A:”Can Josh improve, you bet”
Q: What are words uttered every year in Tampa since 2009?
September 17th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Josh Freeman is actually an athletic QB. He is not a Manning or Brady or a Ryan or a Brees or a Rogers.
They need to add the read option like Philly, the Redskins and SF have. He’s fast enough to run it, he is mobile. He’s not under contract so who gives a shoot if he get banged around. Lets see an offense that can light it up.
Doug Martin would do just as well in read option and Freeman might have a better opportunity to read the defense when he gets on the outside. He does throw better when rolling out to his right then in the pocket.
This NY Giants offense is only effective when your QB can hit on 65% of his throws. That’s not ever gonna be Josh. New England’s offense is sputtering. If the Bucs can put up 27 points they will win some games.
Time to get creative and not be predictable.
September 17th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Glennon’s scouting report out of college was almost exactly the same as Freeman’s, Big Arm but innaccurate, incosistent, and makes questionable decisions. That’s why I didn’t like the pick and that I knew it would cause a QB “controversy” also.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1617564-mike-glennons-complete-scouting-report-and-outlook-heading-into-2013-nfl-draft
September 18th, 2013 at 1:36 am
Buccaray, boom goes the dynamite! J5 is not the major problem on this team. With the amount of penalties our beloved Bucs are called for, the problem is that they are undisciplined. Look, I loved Dungy, hated Gruden, & like the Shiano hire. But until these guys buy in to the disciplined structure of his coaching style, & people accept accountability, the Bucs will be stuck in mediocrity. It’s so easy to say “start Glennon” & forget that had the defense been a little (or a lot) better last year, they’d have won a couple of those lost games, & would be a playoff team. I believed in Freeman. And i think the Bucs would set themselves back if they let him go. All he did was set team records last season. You don’t let that walk. The O-line was decimated & the secondary sucked.