QUOTE: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover”. – Attributed to Mark Twain, speaking to a graduation class
FROM RICK STROUD OF THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES … The Bucs are re-evaluating their plans at quarterback and will consider starting rookie Josh Freeman if he continues to progress in training camp. Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson said "it's not out of the question,” that Freeman takes the path of the Falcons' Matt Ryan and the Ravens' Joe Flacco and starts as a rookie. "We did talk last week, and when I say we, I'm talking about everyone in the building from the GM, the head coach, Doug Williams -- other people were involved and we just discussed the Josh Freeman plan,' Olson said. "We decided we'll go through the summer, we'll go probably a week into training camp and we'll revisit it again ... we may expedite what he's doing. "You know, maybe we get him involved early -- earlier than we thought.'
When the Bucs surprised the football world and fired Jon “Love You Bro” Gruden after last season, the major reason given by ownership was that “Love You Bro” was unable to stabilize the quarterback situation. So, as is always the case, the next regime fixes the major problem from the previous regime.
The Bucs have had a revolving door at quarterback since Brad Johnson won the Super Bowl in 2002. We’ve heard “Love You Bro” say he would’ve loved to have had a young quarterback to work with but never had the chance (that always made me laugh because Gruden controlled all the player movement for the Bucs from the day he set foot in Tampa). So when the new regime took over, its first move was to pick a quarterback in the draft -- no surprise. To further solidify their commitment to rearranging the quarterback position, most notably gaining Josh Freeman, the Bucs moved up two places in the first round, jumping ahead of the Broncos to ensure that Freeman became a Buccaneer. This trade was rather perplexing from an outside perspective, but clearly, the Bucs wanted to take no chances and risk losing Freeman.
APMcCown could find himself back on the sidelines in 2009.
Prior to the draft, the Bucs extended Luke McCown, who they initially felt might be the right fit as they transitioned to a younger player. McCown, however, was not impressive in the first mini-camp, causing some concern among the coaches, which then led to the signing of Byron Leftwich. So before the draft, the Bucs had four quarterbacks on their roster, giving credence to the great John Madden line, “When you have a lot of something, you have nothing.” Veteran quarterback Brian Griese is going to be gone at some point, McCown and Leftwich will compete for the back-up role, and Josh Johnson, a fifth-round pick in 2008, will fight for a roster spot.
So will Freeman be the starter? There are a few factors that indicate he will, maybe not on opening day against the Cowboys, but some time soon after. The first is his contract. Freeman was picked 17th overall in the ‘09 draft, which means the Bucs are limited to just getting five years in the overall length of the deal -- the same length that Mark Sanchez just signed at the top of the draft. And we know – despite all the rhetoric about the Jets having a open competition in camp -- that unless Sanchez falls flat on his face, he’s the starter on day one. The Jets are not wasting a year of the deal on player development.
Freeman is big, strong and raw, and he might need to be involved at a limited level of the total offense. However, if McCown or Leftwich start because of their experience, they too will be running a limited level of the offense. Neither of them can handle a complete package, neither is going to be able to run a check-with-me style of offense, and both will need to rely on their supporting cast to enhance their talent. Therefore, if you have to cut back for the veterans, why not just play the rookie?
APWill Freeman be the guy this year for the Bucs?
The Bucs are a team in a slight transition, mostly on defense as they convert to fit the style of defensive coordinator Jim Bates, which centers on adding more size and power. The offensive side of the ball is where they have the most talent, with excellent skill players like wide receiver Antonio Bryant and tight end Kellen Winslow. They have experience in the offensive line to be help a young quarterback handle the protections, taking the burden of making the right protection calls away from an inexperience player. Now add in the fact that Jeff Jagodzinski, their new offensive coordinator, has a very good scheme that can highlight the essential elements the Bucs possess on offense.
They clearly can fit a young quarterback into this offensive scheme. They must allow Freeman to have time with the first team offensive line in camp and during preseason games. Freeman must get most of the reps at camp this summer as he grows mentally and physically. Starting him should not be an on-the-fly decision; it must be planned, and it must be detailed and well-executed.
Starting Freeman may affect the Bucs negatively in September, but will benefit them greatly in December.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS …
Today, we celebrate the graduation of my son Matthew, along with his cousin Nick, from high school. Our entire family is proud and honored to share this day with both of them. May they both heed the advice from Mr. Twain in the opening quote. Cheers to both!
The Diner will take a day off tomorrow, but please come back Sunday for Sunday at the Post, which will feature some NBA draft notes. Have to be ready for any draft! Has Wes Bunting been doing his draft research?
Check out my appearance Wednesday night on NFL Network
I don't know "that" much about Josh Freeman, so I can't speak about his intelligence or skill. I know that if I were a coach, I would never start a rookie QB. Unless.... UNLESS the team had been nowhere near a playoff-caliber team the prior year. Then you have nothing to lose, really, except one more year of mediocrity.
Take Matt Ryan. The Falcons sucked. But Ryan is smart, and his work ethic made him advance faster. The Titans played them in the preseason last year, and the Falcons were already taking winning and losing very, very seriously. Their intensity was very high, and I was impressed with Ryan from the get-go.
The thing that kept the Bucs out of the playoffs wasn't necessarily the QB situ. They should have kept Garcia, in my opinion, and let him mentor the young QB/QBs. The thing that kept the Bucs out of the playoffs was an aging defense. Their aggressiveness was lacking toward the end of the season, and it was like they were working in slo-mo. I was disappointed in them because I picked them to be the NFC Super Bowl representative back in May of last year because of their Monte Kiffin defense ($100 in Vegas, baby! Titans v. Bucs. I obviously lost.) But when I watched them play, I realized the offense was "potent enough", but the defense petered out at the end of the year.
Freeman needs a good defense to save him after he throws his rookie interceptions and gets "rookie-sacked" for losses that force punts. If the Buc defense has gotten a little faster and a little better, then starting Freeman would be okay IF... IF he has a strong work ethic and is of above-average intelligence. I harp on intelligence because I'm a Titans fan and have seen "first"-hand that it is the intelligence and work ethic that makes you an NFL success... not athletic ability.
Time will tell, but I think losing Monte Kiffin is going to be a detriment to the Buc defense, at least for the first year or so. I hope not, though.
Thanks uncle mike!
Josh Freeman didn't win in high school, he didn't win in college. Its hard to miss a bowl game one year let alone two in a row, especially when you are a "first round talent" at QB. Jay Cutler at least raised Vanderbilt's level of play significantly with little talent around him. Freeman was an erratic turnover machine for 2.5 seasons and the team got worse in his time there. He's got the body, but i'm skeptical.
It's clear Freeman has all kinds of upside potential, but the short term yield may really be limiited. That's okay if the defense improves, because in a close game all you need is one or two big plays to change the outcome and Freeman excels in that.
Which team he makes the big play for may still be an issue. If he can limit his mistakes(doesn't have to play perfectly) he should be in range to win it with what he does best.
Having a run game helps that greatly. Derrick Ward is an explosive back, as is Freeman, in the big play realm. The game outcome might be in question, but this is going to be a lot more exciting a brand of football, in any event.
Great gains must take on great risk. This is a prime example.
Two aspirin in the morning, you did have graduation ceremonies last night....
If the Bucs start Josh Freeman they will go 8-8 at best. Matt Ryan was the exception rather than the rule. Typically, rookie quarterbacks struggle in the NFL. One thing I don't understand is the love affair so many have with Joe Flacco. I would argue that the fact the Ravens went to the playoffs last year had nothing to do with Flacco but rather because of the defense. I watched the Ravens-Steelers playoff game and Flacco was terrible in that game. He was (in my opinion) the reason the Ravens lost.
You are assuming that Freeman will be a viable candidate for a long term starter. Of course, I realize the Bucs made that assumption, also, but I have serious doubts. Although he had some great games in college--see, Texas--he also had some very poor ones and like another comment said was wildly inconsistent and not very accurate. Those two things don't spell NFL quarterback.
They can start Freeman if they want to, but if they do, they won't have to worry about playing beyond December.
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Jun 18, 2009
10:22 AM
I watched Freeman while he was at Kansas State, and he was wildly inconsistent. He's not very accurate, but went No. 17 overall because of his arm strength, athleticism, and upside. He may start this year for the Bucs — and he actually sounds like he might be their best option — but that really tells you more about the Bucs' shaky QB depth than it does about Freeman's overall talent.