If any of you gentlemen (and perhaps ladies) ever read my fanposts and comments, I think I have made it pretty clear about what I think about Josh Freeman. Now, let me begin this post by saying that I hope Freeman will succeed. I just don't expect him to.

I have stated many times that I thought the pick was idiotic. That we should have started Leftwich or Johnson this year, and drafted one of the premier QB's coming out in 2010's draft. No use crying over spilled milk though, what's done is done as they say.

My question I pose to you, Bucs fans, is this: how long are you willing to trust the future of the franchise to Freeman? He is most likely going to go out there and stink it up. How badly though? What if he pulls a Ryan Leaf, who was benched after nine games with the San Diego Chargers. As bad as it sounds, I don't think it's out of the realm of possiblity that Freeman could put up similar numbers. Leaf actually won his first two games in San Diego.

I guess I'm just worried that if Freeman goes out there and does horribly, that the team will go ahead and write off next season as Josh Freeman learning experience 2.0. At what point can you pull a first round draft pick and say "This kid just doesn't have it." Do they turn their backs on Freeman after nine games as a starter if he posts a 39.0 passer rating (as Leaf did). Leaf was also notorious for his problems off the field and with the San Diego media. It would seem that Freeman is above that thus far, so we have to remove that negativity from the equation.

I know it's ridiculous to compare Freeman, who hasn't even taken a snap yet, to Leaf. Yet you have to remember though, Leaf was drafted right after Peyton Manning, and many scouts thought he would actually be a much better NFL QB. Let's not forget that Leaf's pedigree coming into the NFL was MUCH better than Freeman's. He was actually a winner in college (took Washington State to the Rose Bowl) and almost won the Heisman Trophy. Freeman doesn't have any of these stats, but does have the same "tools".

While going the route of Leaf is obviously the worst case scenario; what is the best? I would say that if Freeman could come out and play like Jay Cutler did as a rookie I would absolutely love it. Cutler also came from a bad team (Vandy, though in a much more competitive conference), impressed scouts with his natural abilities, and was considered by some scouts to be superior to both Vince Young and Matt Leinart (those guys should have given raises). He was inserted into the Broncos line up late in November, 2006. His first game was a bit rough. He went 10-21 for 143 yards, two TD's and two INTs. Cutler looked a little better the next week, and got a win in his 3rd start. Obviously, we all know what happened after that. He became a pro bowler in his 3rd year in the NFL and brought two first round pick value in trade to Denver.

Obviously this years Buccaneers are a far cry from the 2006 Denver Broncos, we don't have anywhere close to their core set of players. Yet, I still think that Freeman could possibly follow the career path taken by Cutler. Recent reports about Freeman's weight gain and lack of preparation ring a bell as well. Similar things were being whispered amongst Cutler's doubters in 2006.

So which will it be Bucs fans? Do you think Freeman will follow the career path of Ryan Leaf or Jay Cutler? I'm sure it will be somewhere in the middle. If Freeman does stink it up like Leaf, would you be willing to sit and watch him continue to fail next season, only to have to address the QB situation in 2011? Should the Buc's consider taking a more proven college comodity like Clausen, Bradford, or McCoy and trying to trade Freeman to a team that can afford to let him sit and learn for a few years?

I know it's crazy, but it might be the best move if he goes out there and looks completely overwhelmed. This situation grows even stronger legs if Morris is let go after this season.