The Simple Life For Josh Freeman
September 10th, 2012
Josh Freeman made everything look easy yesterday. No, he wasn’t flashy. No, the Bucs never went over the top to their homerun hitter, something fans heard would be a big part of the offense. But Freeman was steady, smart and smooth.
Bucs fans heard all about how Freeman would be drilled on ball security and to take what the defense gives him. It’s not sexy, but Freeman did exactly that yesterday. He finished 16-for-24 with 138 yards and a touchdowns. There were no turnovers and he was a savvy, gutty scrambler. No selfish tight ends blubbered in his ear.
Fantasy football, modern NFL ways, and me-first players are not going to be influences in the New Schiano Order. And that’s going to be great for Freeman right now as he builds confidence in the new system and his new targets.
For Joe, Freeman’s beautiful touch throw in zone coverage to Dallas Clark, who tacked on a solid run for a 33 yard gain, let Joe know that Freeman’s arm still has the goods and he’s just playing within the system.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:59 am
Joe, no one is commenting on the 37+ minutes of possession the Bucs had, let alone the 10 yards of rushing defense, but from this Carolina could only pass and the Bucs ran at will, what say you and Pete?
September 10th, 2012 at 9:00 am
Freeman looked pretty good. I’ll happily eat some crow over all the smack I’ve been throwing his way. 1st & 2nd qtr he was very good. 3rd qtr he was below average and seemed to slip back into his old ways of getting jittery and holding the ball too long (their D was pushing the line back pretty good the 3rd qtr….and he got rattled)……he did pull it out (sit down grande & 2.2) in the 4th qtr, settle down and deliver the W. Keep it up Jfro!
September 10th, 2012 at 9:19 am
We will most likely need him to do more next week against the Giants but as long we hold the football we can be in every game this year.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:20 am
Was it just me or did Josh really sell the play action handoffs finally. The last two years he looked like a stick figure handing off the ball. In this game you weren’t sure if he handed the ball off or kept it for the play action pass. It was a huge inprovement. I guess a little coaching goes a long way. I see nothing but inprovement coming for our quarterback. Go Bucs!
September 10th, 2012 at 9:22 am
It is obvious that Freeman is in a well orchestrated plan that is not going to let him do too much too soon. Remember this was the same prescription that was ordered for Eli Manning until he got to the level he is today.
I don’t have a problem with the run first, run often strategy. It requires that we get off to a good start and hopefully have the lead. I do hope they improve the points after turnover percentage. We left points on the field yesterday that we should have converted.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:24 am
OB:
???? Joe hasn’t read/heard anyone talk about Sunday’s game without mentioning holding Carolina to 10 yards rushing. Hell, Joe’s referenced it several times already.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Never went over the top? There was a 47 yard bomb to Jackson that was incomplete but ruled pass interference. There was also a 38 yard pass to Jackson called back due to Larsen’s hold. Also had a pretty nice pass to Dallas Clark.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:55 am
It’s like watching the early version of the NY Giants offense when the drafted Eli. As for Freeman and VJAx, It’s going to take a few weeks a live fire for the game timing to get right, but they’ll get it. This could be exciting.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Freeman looked much better. Technically, he was vastly improved, finding his second and third options, sliding up in the pocket to avoid the rush and make a throw, selling play action, just overall showing a command of the position that I haven’t seen from him. He went a little dormant in the third quarter, but he also would have had another 100 yards or so if Jackson didn’t have those two drops and if you include the PI and the Larsen hold. Obviously, you can’t count those, but I thought he did an admirable job and showed huge steps. We need more next week.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Josh played well yesterday, I watched the game again yesterday and twice in the 3rd quarter, Freeman went deep, once to Vjax (called back on a hold) and to Mike Will, who had a one on one down the sideline (Charles Johnson hit his arm as he threw).
The game plan was solid and other than trying to get too cute on 3rd and goal the right side of the o-line in the 2nd half limited execution with penalties and getting beat in the pass rush
September 10th, 2012 at 10:26 am
Sorry joe, we havent talked about the run d because we are all watching the youtube video of barron blasting Steve Smith in the mouth. I love how he didnt say anything after, just stared at him.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:07 am
We had to drive killers that would have most likely resulted in points, but VJax dropped two key passes. Hope this doesn’t linger.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Freeman had a Jeff Garcia like day in the air. No turnovers, no big stats, just smart football.
He got the job done and did enough for us to win.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
95.5 passer rating, not bad at all.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Freeman went through his progressions and DIDN’T STARE DOWN HIS RECEIVERS! I was very impressed with him and his decision making too!
I would like to see more bootlegs from him and more shots down the field. All in all and well “managed” game….not flashy. We will need more flashy this weekend on the road!!!!!
September 10th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
If his receivers could hold on to the ball he woulda had a much better day.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
joe needs to stop with the hate on K2. How can he hate on a guy that gave it his all for us the past few years? He was probably our best offensive player last year. He got traded by a coach who misled him, so why would he have good things to say about schiano?
September 10th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
I hope he and VJack can build that chemistry quickly. We are going to need to stretch the field against the NY Footbal Giants. Im concerned on the dropped passes by VJack.
I think Josh will need to do alot more against the Giants than he did today. Their front four is nasty.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
I don’t think we saw the whole play book yesterday, I’m sure theres a whole nother plan for the Giants
September 11th, 2012 at 1:35 am
I would like free to throw to Clark & Williams more. He is hiding the ball much better on play action.