Losing taking its toll on Bucs fans, but Winning could be FREE MAN

by Niko Houllis on Oct 19, 2009 12:45 PM EDT Comment 54 comments

His time has come?

Make no mistake about the intent of this article. Josh Johnson did nothing to lose the game to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Johnson does not play DT to stop the running plays on the final drive. Johnson does not play kicker, to take a ball snapped terribly, but still managed to get down and in place, and kick it short on an attempt less than 50 yards. Andrus should get another chance to be sure. Everything I've heard about him is he is going to be an excellent kicker. Johnson does play quarterback however, who's main job is to lead the team, and throw the ball. Johnson has all the tools to be a leader, and he is fun and amazing to watch run. But Josh Johnson regressed a bit in his ever so short three game career, and hesitated too much in throwing the ball downfield.

We don't know if receivers were not getting open, but we do know that wasn't the problem in Washington when we asked the same questions. 10 million dollar a year Wide Receiver Antonio Bryant caught only 2 balls, and only three balls were thrown his way. That is too little. Only 17 balls thrown all together. That is too few as well. It feels like we passed the ball too much, and did not ran enough. The truth is, we did not do anything on offense enough, because we did not have the ball. But doesn't that fall on the quarterback too? You keep the ball when you convert 3rd downs.

The common feeling is that the Bucs will give Josh Freeman a chance to start in the Green Bay game after a bye week to prepare him. But wouldn't that time be just as well served showing Freeman game film of his mistakes or good plays so he can go into that Green Bay game more prepared?

The time to start Josh Freeman is now. Jeff Faineis back, and the Line protected well, similar to how it did the first week of the season when Faine last started.

As a coach, Raheem Morris presented Freeman to the Bucs to consider, and as a group the Bucs OK'ed the move to pick the Kansas State product, who was considered one of the three best quarterback prospects coming out of college last year. The other two, Mark Sanchez of the Jets and Mathew Stafford of Detroit are showing promise as rookies. Morris was quoted as saying he felt Freeman was better than Sanchez; well this is the time to show us you were right. To be honest, Morris' job may sink or swim on Freeman's performance. If he starts, and totally flops, Morris has stuck his reputation to him, and a two, one or NO win season could cost him. He also could save his job should Freeman play like the Mr. Franchise he is supposed to be.

We've been told Freeman is not quite ready before, but we saw him in the preseason, and he was raw, but no more so than Johnson really. To be honest, Luke McCown didn't play much better, so putting Freeman in with the time he has had lately to practice with the starting unit, and with the better talent around him, is needed to pump some life into the franchise. After all, Freeman IS the franchise right?

Bucs fans are only clinging onto one thing..the knowledge that this team is growing and learning because they are young. Bucs fans want to have hope, and there is no better hope than the Franchise Quarterback playing in the last ten games and putting down film to work on in the off-season, so when he starts in 2010, he is not a virtual rookie like Johnson this year.

We put up with Dilfer's terrible decision making, and Vinny's 35 interceptions. Trust me, Bucs fans will be just fine on a Quarterback we understand is there to stay and there to grow. The same is not true for a late round draft pick while the future is sitting on the bench.

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Great article

I couldn’t agree with you more. I don’t blame JJ for anything, it’s not his fault he lacks experience and he does show a lot of potential. We’ve thought that plenty of times too about QBs, the ones you mentioned, and Shaun King as well. But we all know this isn’t JJ’s team, it’s JF’s. Starting him now will be ugly, but it will be better for next year. At this point, we have nothing to lose by putting in Freeman, and nothing to gain by playing Johnson.

by bucnut1 on Oct 19, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

disagree

this team did chose freeman to be the quarterback of the future, when he is ready! As of last week at the beginning of the redskins game the announcer talked how freeman has put on seven pounds and still thinks his arms stronger then cornerbacks speed. i understand let him get in there take his bumps and bruises. It just seems like freeman thinks he can succeed just cause he has a strong arm but he needs to show it in the team meetings and playbook analysis.

by the420bucsfan on Oct 19, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Usually agree with you Niko, however..

The QB position is one that I’ve been argueing since BEFORE we ever drafted Freeman. Josh Johnson is by far the better QB, and he shouldve been starting since Day 1. Over Lefty, over Mccown, OVER FREEMAN. Heres why…

Let’s take a blast from the past look at their numbers.

QB #1. Josh Freeman [Kansas over 3 yrs]

Pass Yrds- 8,178 on 1,151 Attempts.
Completion Pct- 51.9, 63.3, and 58.6
Sacked- 57 times
Pass Tds- 44
Ints-34
Rush Tds-20
Rush Yrds-343 [2 yrs ended with NEGATIVE YRDS might I add with 50+ attempts]

Now…

QB#2. Josh Johnson [SDSU over 3 yrs]

Pass Yrds- 9,177 on 1,005 Attempts.
Completion Pct- 70.7, 66.3, 68.3
Sacked- 5 [TOTAL, ALL 3 YEARS]
Pass Tds- 108
Ints- 15
Rush Tds- 17
Rush Yrds- 1,739

Now to the NFL [ we are gonna compare Pre-season since Freeman hasn’t played yet]

QB #1. Freeman [1st Round Pick]

completed 21-47 passes, Pass Tds-1, Ints-3, Sacked 3 times. Had QB ratings of 32.9, 91.5, 46.4, and 37.3

Rushes- 8, Rush Yrds- 85 , Tds- 1

QB#2. Josh Johnson [5th Round Pick]

completed 17-30 passes, Pass Tds- 1, Ints- 1, Sacked- once with QB ratings of 64.6, 65.6 and 81.8 [didnt get to play Miami]

Rushes-6, Rush Yrds- 86, Rush Tds- 1

Im sorry….but going back to College Johnson DOMINATED Freeman in EVERY catagory. AND even in Pre-season when he was 4th String he was MORE efficient [completion pct], More consistant [Qb Rating] and only turned over the ball ONCE opposed to Freemans 3.

Freemans a bust. Also, i bet you didn’t know that our beloved Doug Williams [thats right] TOLD Gruden to draft JJ because he would be the QB of the future. The only reason his draft stock fell was due to a bad day at the combine. [it happens]

Im sorry but inputing Freeman would give this team LESS chance to win considering just pure mechanics and decision making. Not only that but then you got a WHOLE NEW Qb with a different style that you have to draw up a game plan for. So not only are you putting more pressure on a ROOKIE QB but you are then putting pressure on the ENTIRE OFFENSIVE to adjust for a THIRD TIME IN ONE SEASON to another new QB. ANY CHANCE OF WINNING [in my opinion] would be lost for the season. Seriously, what do you expect Freeman to do that Josh Johnson CANT? or HASN’T done?

But hey, if he proves me wrong…I’ll be happy to change my opinion.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude, you can't seriously be comparing the numbers

of Freeman and Johnson in college. Johnson essentially played for what equates to a really good high school team. It is a 1-AA team. Not even close to the same competition. Tony Romo came out of Eastern Illinois, but that is about the only success story that comes to mind. In all likelihood Freeman would have had it just as easily as Johnson did.

I don’t like Freeman either, but Johnson has had an atrocious start. I don’t know why he is getting a pass from everybody for throwing all of those picks!

I also don’t think that Johnson should be starting over Leftwich. Byron had two good games for us, and one really bad one. That equals out much better than three mediocre games by Johnson in my opinion.

Suttree, if you’re out there, it has been three games for Johnson. We had a “nice” discussion about this two weeks ago. Do I need to show you the statistics that prove Leftwich is better than Johnson (at this point in his career) or do you now share my opinion?

by LeeCaz on Oct 19, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you

Freeman played in the BIG 12……and the numbers he put up are pretty good. It doesn’t matter, I just want him in.

by buccanator on Oct 19, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya sorry about that. I didnt mean to put

SDSU. my mistake.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

second...

ya ive looked at the stats between Lefty and Johnson. similar as far as im concerned other than one less throwing td and a couple more picks. HOWEVER, if you havent noticed, the offense [in itself] has progressed under Johnson and even the players have said “He is our leader, and we feel like he is our leader”. His mobility far outweighs any bright spot from Leftwich. Third, when watching the games i believe that put in the situations that JJ was in Leftwich wouldve bombed. Alot of his INTS i dont believe have been his fault. I take 1 away cuz of HORRIBLE play calling in Philly and give it to Olsen. As well as one was actually placed well for Stroughter it just went through his hands and was picked. So if you take those 2 away i think its a better evaluation.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh, they both have their bright spots

I don’t think Johnson is ever going to be a guy to throw for 300 yards a game. Leftwich is definitely not capable of extending drives with his legs the way Johnson is. Hopefully Freeman will be a mixture of the two.

College stats aren’t really that good for evaluating NFL talent. Guys like Graham Harrell, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Tebow (oops, jumped the gun on that one) all had huge numbers in college and aren’t cut out for the NFL game.

I don’t know if it is maybe the bigger ball or what. Freeman has all the tools needed to succeed.

by LeeCaz on Oct 19, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well....i hope your right.

cuz i’d actually like to see a win at some point. however this IS a guy that RAHEEM liked/likes. As opposed to Andy Reid, Donovan Mcnabb, Jon Gruden and even Carolina who all said JJ has a bright future ahead of him. You guys are all the ones who have been baggin on Raheem all year now you trust the QB HE drafted??? Interesting. oh well, we’ll see i guess.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

forgot Doug Williams

to add to JJ’s bandwagon lol

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

as for the different levels...

Look, its only 1 division down. Thats not a big difference. It’s not like their stats were even CLOSE. He literally blew Freeman away. AND neither of you answered my question. WHAT do you expect Freeman to do that JJ HASNT done? If its throw less picks then you better hope we start running and stopping ppl on the other side of the ball too. Freeman [IN COLLEGE….we are in the NATIONAL FOOBALL LEAGUE now] only avg. just under 15 tds a year next to just under 12 ints! YOUR RIGHT, this is College, this is the NFL. You want a franchise QB and your looking to somehow improve those numbers in the NFL??!? Your telling me that the BIG 12 puts out more talent then the NFL? HAHA! ok. like i said if he proves me wrong, then so be it. IN fact i hope he does. But if he doesnt……..then what? Waste another 1st round with the same scouts and owners that drafted FREEMAN?? lol

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry...

meant to say this ISNT College.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a little ridiculous to be touting Johnson over Freeman

Johnson may be a solid starter one day in the NFL, but it won’t be for Tampa. We are married to Freeman now. Like it or not, that’s whats up.

Plus, you can’t list a bunch of college stats, and then say this isn’t college. You’re contradicting yourself.

As for being “only one division down” I don’t think you understand how bad 1-AA football is. We are talking about athletes that couldn’t even get on teams like Western Kentucky (it’s their first year in 1A, and man are they getting stomped), Marshall, Tulsa, blah, blah, blah.

It is a way bigger difference than you think. As for Flacco, he transferred to Delaware, but started out at Pitt. So he had Division 1-A talent level but got tired of playing behind Tyler Palko.

by LeeCaz on Oct 19, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well..

I simply mean that your right this isnt College. But if you compared their stats JJs is better. I did take into consideration that they played in different levels; hence the pre-season stats. Its the best comparison you could make between the two. For the most part stats were simiIar in pre season other than the INTS. We will be able to better compare by the end of this disaster of a season. Time will tell.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't wait for draft day man

It is going to be sweet to have some talented young guys in camp to compete with our collection of 4th and 5th round draft picks that currently comprise our defense.

I wonder if they are going to unload anybody else today or tomorrow for more picks?

I also wonder who is going to be making the decisions on draft day.

Do Morris and Dominik keep their job if we go 0-16. I think not, but who knows. If we do go 0-16 and they don’t fire him I don’t expect many fans to get too excited for next season.

by LeeCaz on Oct 19, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

reports from around the NFL say Raheem and Dominiks jobs are safe.

The Glazers understand this is a complete rebuild.

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 19, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dominiks job is safe

they are not a package deal according to many experts. I think Dominik will get experienced quality coaching in the off season.

by buccanator on Oct 20, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Expect Freeman to have far greater upside.

Johnson is another Gradkowski…with the right everything, he could be a good QB. Freeman is pedigree. He is a blue chipper….he also started years in college, compared to what Sanchez did at USC. That extra experience helps QBs make the transition.
He may not have less ints, but he will have greater plays, or he was a reach.

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 19, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't like that comparison at all.

I believe Johnson has way more upside then Gradkowski ever had, especially since Gradkowski had no kind of accuracy over 15 yards.

by NewLogic on Oct 19, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, I didnt mean to mean they are exactly alike, but alike in that they are lower round draft picks.

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 19, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your numbers are sound...as is your argument....

However, when it comes down to it, they dont tell us whether either will do better here with the same talent (or lack thereof) around them.

Calling Freeman a bust is the only poor thing you wrote. You cannot call the man a bust in week 6 of his rookie year, when he hasnt thrown one pass! Come on now, I think that might be one you’d like to have back…like perhaps one of Freemans passes when he does get in!

Anyways…the bottom line is..we have a very high draft pick next year. We need to find out if there is hope for Freeman, or if he is going to totally bomb..because you have some stud QBs available where we will be picking, and you can always unload a one year old QB Prospect if you have to.

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 19, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want Jimmy Clausen

I wonder if he comes out this year.

Man, drafting Freeman was SO stupid. It still angers me.

We could be starting J.J. this season and drafting either;

Jimmy Clausen
Sam Bradford
Colt McCoy
Jake Locker

All will go in first round most likely, and all our better than Freeman.

by LeeCaz on Oct 19, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Out of curiosity

Would you still look highly at Bradford have his current situation?

by NewLogic on Oct 19, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

but I don’t know if it will cause him to fall on draft boards. I doubt it. The MRI came back negative for a new injury. IMO it was just a case of rushing back too early from the older shoulder injury.

He is definitely going to be landing on that shoulder a lot in the NFL, so if the injury requires surgery then his status is up in the air. He will be gamble for sure.

by LeeCaz on Oct 19, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I

really like Claussen and McCoy. Good Qbs with alot of upside. For some reason im just not high on Bradford or Locker. They are good QBs but i just cant help but wonder how well they will play in the NFL…hmm….

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Bradford lights up the NFL you will think differently

I have seen every college game he has been in…..He has never had a bad game…ever….most of his ints are tipped passes or when he gets hit. Games that OU loses aren’t because of him, it’s the group around him.

He is extremely accurate and poised in the pocket. He will be big time.

by buccanator on Oct 20, 2009 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like the kid to

but he hasn’t shown an ability to handle pressure. Last year he wasn’t touched. This year without his OL he gets hurt. The two game he did play showed he can’t yet handle pressure. Now I bet he can improve that and he does have all the physical skills.

by SoonerSlayer on Oct 20, 2009 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can he play from under center?

Can he drop back and make reads? Most QB’s that play from a shotgun only offense have trouble adjusting.

www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer

by Buc Wild on Oct 20, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya i should elaborate on that...

I meant i [believe] he is a bust in the sense of why we drafted him. Basically to be the “Franchise” Qb. I think he’s a GOOD player. I just dont think he’s a guy to build an entire Franshise around. I shouldve cleard that up before. I just dont see him being a Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler, Ben Rothlesburger.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also...

you’re correct. we SHOULD see what we have in him. [i got alittle bit caught up in the arguement before]. I just think that basically halfway through the season [Week 9 at GB] is a horrible way to go. Most of the reasoning behind that is because of the TEAM. You’re basically telling them that you have NO hope for rest of the season so we are just gonna start “seeing” what we have. You deffinately dont wanna do that to your team HALF WAY through the season. To change QBs 3 times by the mid season is just ridiculous. I think around week 13 would be best [when the season is already lost and you can give him a couple weeks to see what you got. Even week 12 if the season stays so poor.]

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When they benched leftwich

they should have started him then it does seem ridiculous to start three different qbs in one year this merry go round needs to stop.

by bucfanlostiniowa on Oct 19, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya.

most of it comes from that bucfan. IF they wouldve started Freeman over JJ in the first place then i wouldnt be so against.

and to Leecaz. It just seems stupid to start 3 qbs HALFWAY through the season. We arent even talking the ENTIRE season. We are talking HALFWAY. If they were gonna start him that early then they shouldve done it when they benched Lefty. For the sake of the team, coaches and organization it would just be sad. but they are gonna do it. you know they will. They way the season is going it wouldnt surprise me to see every 3rd string player in by week 9….“just to see what we got”. HAHA

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's

a necessary evil at this point. I don’t think anybody really wants to start him now but we more or less have to!

by bucfanlostiniowa on Oct 19, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude the season

is over. 0-6 is the kiss of death. Not only is hope gone for a winning season at this point, but a hope is dwindling for a single win at all.

You’re totally right about the 3 QB thing. It is is ridiculous, but it’s not the players fault. It is the indecision of the coaches.

If they are going to play him at all this year, he needs to be in there after the bye week. If wouldn’t be worth it if they put him after week 12.

by LeeCaz on Oct 19, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here is my question

once he does start are they going to keep him in no matter how bad he plays? Or after 2 or 3 games will they change qbs again? If he is “the guy”then they need to stick with him and not yank him, they keep saying he is not ready well a lost season like this is the perfect time to get him ready for next year.

by bucfanlostiniowa on Oct 19, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't do that with a rookie

have to take the good with the bad and there you have the facts of life for a rookie quarterback

by buccanator on Oct 19, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Once he's in, he's in for the year

Unless he gets an injury, this will be his team.

by NewLogic on Oct 19, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great point..

You have to stick with him, period.
If anything you pull him for quarters if he does bad to keep his confidence from being shaken.

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 19, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

disagree

JJ has thrown some picks but how many has Cutler thrown? And he was supposed to be our qb. He has had just a few starts and hasn’t worked with the starters but a few weeks. Give him time with a healthy line. We are not favored to win any of the rest of our games so why throw in a rookie qb and get him used to losing? Keep JJ in and get some receivers that can catch the ball. I heard a stat last week that we had the most drops in the league. So why would he have the confidence to throw to some people if they can’t hold on to the ball even if they are open?

by tisthename on Oct 19, 2009 2:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

JOE FLACCO DIVISION 1aa

kurt warner came from the canadian football league and you know that canadians suck at anything. never judge a quarterback by the level he played in college. all it shows is he learned to be better then everybody else in his division and hopefully that can translate to the NFL.

by the420bucsfan on Oct 19, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Steve McNair too wasnt he?

However, its rare that it happens. Just like you find 5th round QB that excell, and 1st rounders that Bomb. But the marquee QB in the league for the most part are top draft picks.

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 19, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats what im saying

thanks. which is also why i threw in Pre- Season stats. and its not like the College statistics were close either. JJ literally blew him outta the water.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 19, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Switching to Freeman Won't Solve the Biggest Problem

It’s not our offense that’s the biggest problem.

It’s our woeful defense.

Unless Josh Freeman can suit up as a run-stuffing DT, we are going to continue suffering losses like this past Sunday’s. Our defense is barely showing any sign of shutting down passing attacks, and when Carolina realized their RBs were getting 6-8 yards per carry you saw them smash their way down to the winning TD and you saw the Bucs’ D fold that whole damn drive.

As for Freeman replacing Johnson, here’s the dilemma. You have no way of certainty that putting Freeman out there is going to make enough of an improvement over what we’ve got now. There’s no sign that Freeman has the decision-making skills to ensure he can do a better job of finding receivers better than Johnson has (or hasn’t) been.

I am loathe to the idea of tossing out a rookie QB to the wolves, especially on a losing team where the only thing Freeman is BOUND to learn is that losing hurts.

And I agree with the lost bucs fan in Iowa: how many QB changes are we going to endure? What happens if Freeman goes out and in the next 2-3 games he stinks up the place? Do we go back to Leftwich then?

Let’s not forget that going to Freeman now is going to have him face the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS just as they finished using the Titans like a punching bag. Not a good idea.

The Bucs are better off right now letting Johnson play. He has NOT been a total disaster the way Leftwich had been, and yes Johnson needs to do a better job of finding receivers or realizing he’s better off scrambling for the first down.

Relive the shocking NOOOOOOOO of April 25 2009 at Witty's Draft Review and laugh laugh laugh...

by witty on Oct 19, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I say let Freeman

Sit…..He lose a few pounds (i thought i read he gained 7 pounds); Learn the playbook, Look it never hurts a QB to sit his first year….Think of it this way….JJ is in, he is doing decent, hell we might be able to package him with a few low picks to come up with a 3rd rounder….we lose more games than we should, pick up a stud DT and a solid S then when training camp starting, hand the keys to Freeman, whom is more mentally prepared to handle all the toys (Ward, Williams, K2, Bryant<—if he’s still with us). We gain a lot more by sitting Freeman than we do by playing him…..

by shadowchicken on Oct 19, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well you could look at this way

the longer he sits on the bench the more he gets accustomed to it. At some point he has to get in there. We are going to lose with or without him this year so it’s a perfect time to get him in there.the longer you wait this the more you affect next year.What if he cant play at all isn’t better to find out now?

by bucfanlostiniowa on Oct 19, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Like Aaron Rogers got accustomed to sitting on the bench?

And how JaMarcus Russel played his rookie season? Every quarterback is different, I feel. Some highly touted guys bust and some are excellent their rookie seasons. Some need a few years to develop, and some need a few years to be exposed. With Freeman all we can do is watch and hope that he’s not a bust. I didn’t like the pick, but who knows, he might be awesome. Nobody knows anything until we see him in a real game.

by staplemaniac on Oct 19, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he wasn't ready

then we shouldn’t have drafted him. He should have stayed on for his senior year at K State, but why should he do that when his boy Raheem will pay him millions of dollars to sit on the sidelines of the NFL and get fat while not learning the EXTREMELY SIMPLE playbook.

sigh

by LeeCaz on Oct 19, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

are u kidding me??

“the longer he sits on the bench the more he gets accustomed to it. At some point he has to get in there”……its only 6 weeks into his ROOKIE Season. Jesus you’re talking about putting him in there now, so that we know if we have something before the draft so we can do this all over again next season? Thank God you are only a fan and don’t have any real power with the bucs. We don’t know what we have in Freeman, So why rush him. It takes QB’s 2-3 years to get up to NFL speed, and to be NFL Ready and you’re talking about a 22 year old kid like he’s a Vet. Look at Brady and Rogers They sat while their teams won and lost they stepped in and now they rock the socks.

NO, NO, NO

We sit Freeman, let him soak up the PlayBook, Draft a dominate DT along with solid DB’s and we stop the run. Once we stop the run then we can throw Freeman to see what he’s got….If he doesn’t pan out, guess what….we can still win..why? Because we can run the ball and stop the run…Look at Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Shachez….They all have good running games and Good Defense; right now Freeman has a cadillac, Talib and TJax….That’s it

by shadowchicken on Oct 19, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the worst becomes reality...

There may be a new coach with a different scheme to learn.

by Danny180 on Oct 19, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, even if there is a new scheme

just having been in the NFL for a year will make him a smarter player than he is right now. Also right now he is learning how to prepare for teams, he learns how to break teams down in the film room. Why take a chance having him getting hurt or shaking his confidence? We’re going to lose anyways, why not prepare him mentally and let his physical abilities take over when our record 0-0 and has a fresh start…..

by shadowchicken on Oct 20, 2009 3:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im not saying we should draft a QB again next year...

unless we see something terribly wrong with Freeman. Not WE, but coaches.

I dont see this happening.
And QBs do not always need 3 years. His coach most certainly does NOT have that long.

The time has come (Nov 6) to start Freeman and KEEP him starting for 2 to 3 years

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 20, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like john McKays quote in my Doug Williams movie..

If you sit a QB, he learns nothing. He learns to drink Gatorade. Doug Williams started game one.

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 19, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like what I see

What I meant about that is our coach is good the team should be having less practise cause of a long flight there and when the buc’s finish the game in England they have lots of time for freeman to get ready for green bay coming to a bye week and make things more better he can watch next week game when green bay plays who ever they gay team and watch their new 3-4 plays. I don’t no about u guys but a 3-4 we can run all day on their butts cause our o-line can get to the second level.

IF U AIN'T A BUC GET THE BUC OUT OF HERE

by WE GOING TO THE SHIP on Oct 20, 2009 5:08 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Freeman may not be a bust yet

but if they play him this year he will be. Take a look at his completion percentage in college. Then tell me how many successful NFL QB’s complete under sixty percent in college. I think the answer is zero. The guy has no accuracy. Maybe he can improve but there is no way he will be even decent this year. He wasn’t even close to one of the best QB’s in the big 12, despite his blue chip status. Nothing about his performance suggests he can play in the NFL. Only his measurables lead people to believe he can play. I am not sure JJ can play but he is the only one ready. If JJ improves his awareness he can be good. Considering his lack of practice reps, preseason game time and lack of one on one coaching, he is doing pretty damn good.

by SoonerSlayer on Oct 20, 2009 7:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs