A Relationship Soured?
January 9th, 2013
Until the draft starts heating up, aside from the need for a new secondary coach(es), a new QB coach, a new secondary (sans Mark Barron and/or Ronde Barber), and the looming questions concerning the Bucs’ defensive line, there really is only one subject remotely moving the needle with the Bucs. That’s the status of Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman.
It began when Bucs coach Greg Schiano stated flatly the Bucs need competition at quarterback. Some have suggested that is code for either letting Freeman’s contract expire or even drafting a potential replacement for the fourth-year product from Kansas State.
To hear former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland discuss the subject, McFarland likened the whispers seeping out of One Buc Palace about Freeman to a relationship between two lovers when one is looking for an upgrade
And in this relationship, McFarland said, it is the Bucs who have developed a wandering eye, so he said while co-hosting “The Booger and Rich Show” heard locally on WHFS-FM 98.7.
“If you are Josh Freeman and you are 24-years old and you are looking for a commitment just like any woman out there who has been in a relationship as long as Josh Freeman’s relationship has been with the Buccaneers — four years? You know you want a ring on it. ‘I have shown you commitment for four years and what do you do? Eh honey, I like you, but…’
“You see, that is what the Buccaneers have told Josh Freeman. ‘You are our starting quarterback until we can replace you.’”
McFarland went on to confess he didn’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing for the Bucs, but he did say there is only one way for Freeman to repair the bond between himself and the Bucs. And that is for Freeman to lead the Bucs to the playoffs next season.
Joe believes that’s a reasonable request.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:10 pm
boo hoo!
January 9th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
so in other words, he needs to play better.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
It ain’t about love…it’s about business and Freeman needs to take care of his before the Bucs take care of him. He has huge potential…HUGE, but until he develops consistency he’s not worth committing to long term. He can make all the throws but he can also make YOU throw a remote at your big screen TV. I’m hoping next year is the year for Josh but if not then I believe they go after a QB in the draft. Let’s see…there’s a QB from Texas A&M that will probably be declaring in 2014….Hey, I can dream can’t I??
January 9th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Its Tuff Love and Josh needs it. Time to prove your worth.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
The way this guy throws at the feet of running backs, it reminds me of some broad with her eyes full of tears.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Remember he was married to Raheem. (the funniest pic in Joebucsfan history IMO-even topped the goat)
And breaking up is hard to doooooooooo.
Man may have abandonment issues.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
@Bobby: Agree with everything, but what kind of a knowledgeable football fan would think a 175 lb, barely 6 ft Johnny Football is going to be a starting QB in NFL that people dream of?
January 9th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
trade him for sanchez
January 9th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
Is it me, or is he even staring down his practice receiver in the picture?
January 9th, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Every quarterback is the starter until they can replace them. Every single position in the NFL is like that. Unless you are a superstar who produced better than anyone who can replace you, your seat is always hot.
And sometimes that isn’t even the case, look at Alex Smith. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially when you look at his (losing) record as a starter.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:55 pm
There is only one ring needed. If Josh wants it, he has to earn it. The Bucs want another ring too and it falls on Freeman’s shoulders for the most part. I like Booger but that was a stupid analogy. Put a ring on it your damn self.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
Freeman needs to play much better to get the big pay check he is no doubtedly looking for.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Whether your For or Against Freeman, this is just another article with the same talking points that are getting beat to death, by Joe or the comments.
Joe, Can we stay away from the QB topic until there is something new and fresh? It’s like groundhog day every site visit.
January 9th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Freeman needs to put a ring on the Buccaneer’s owners… a Super Bowl ring that is. 🙂
January 9th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Josh has a ring…it’s called his rookie contract. The Bucs have every right to wait until that contract is expired, or nearly expired, before giving him a new one. Business is business. There’s nothing disloyal about it. There’s nothing disrespectful about it, either. Josh can make this all go away with an improved and more consistent 2013 season. Simple as that.
January 9th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Booger’s butchering of the english language is starting to drive me nuts (he’s as bad as Emmitt Smith) smh…..
January 9th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
In other words, he has to earn it. Novel concept. If only we can get people in the real world to accept this ideology.
January 9th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Kyle Orton is a better option that anyone in the draft. Bring him in and let him compete with Freeman. He’s actually a pretty good quarterback.
January 9th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Booger needs to accept the fact that Freeman has been treated fairly, respectful and given every opportunity to improve without any competition. That clearly has not worked. He has now been clearly told it’s now time to make Buccaneer Football priority #1. All he has to do is show he is a franchise quarterback and he will continue to be one. Be Party King and he will probably find himself a lovable backup. It’s time to have a winner again in Tampa.
January 9th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Anyone ask Freeman where the Super Bowl ring is?
January 9th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
“This guy can make all the throws” – Where’s the freaking proof here? I’m so sick of hearing/reading people say this.
I saw Kirk Cousins step in for RGIII and rattle off about 4 precision passes that I have never seen Freeman make. Timing passes, short accurate slants (in stride) etc…
Josh is ok at the long ball, but he doesn’t make “all the throws”…
January 9th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
I had a soured relationship once…of course I was dating a grapefruit at the time, so go figure!
January 9th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Can anybody name me one AVAILABLE QB in Fa or the draft that is better than Freeman, or could have won more than 7 games with the current Bucs defense? Can Freeman improve? Absolutely. In the meantime, any good GM is always looking for ways to improve.
January 9th, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Josh had great stats and broke records.
It is now the coaches job to get Josh motivated enough to focus for 4 straight quaters.
It is now the coaches job to ensure Josh can convert on 3rd down more often.
Can the coaches get big Gosh to become a winner post records?
We shall see if Gosh is a winner or not next season.
January 9th, 2013 at 5:07 pm
@CC exactly there are no FA QB’s out there. We need to draft one and develop him so if Freeman falls on his face we have a backup plan. If he plays well and performs in the playoffs where it counts then sure Franchise him and sign him to a fat deal in 2014 he has earned it. If not we are not married to him and can move on. We don’t want to do what NY did with dirty Sanchez or Buffalo did with Fitzpatrick. It is time for him to produce down the stretch and get us into the playoffs.
That said I think the GM and Coach look at our team and say. Hmmm 9th ranked offense, 29th ranked defense I wonder where we fell short ?? Then they draft and sign free agents accordingly. I am excited to see what they will do in the draft and free agency though.
GO BUCS !!!!
January 9th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
@Ramdog
I hope our coach and GM is smart enough to look beyond 9th ranked offense and 29th ranked defense. Yes our defense is bad and needs a lot of work. But watching the actual games you can see that so does our QB. They both need to be fixed because they both are problems and costing us victories. Stats are for losers.
January 9th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
“but he did say there is only one way for Freeman to repair the bond between himself and the Bucs. And that is for Freeman to lead the Bucs to the playoffs next season.
Joe believes that’s a reasonable request.”
Nuff Said
January 9th, 2013 at 8:14 pm
And he can make all the throws. The best shoestring and facemask throws I have ever seen. Just how many QB’s have that claim to fame?
January 9th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
@bucfanjeff, agree 100%. I was hoping for one Josh Freeman “free” day.
January 9th, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Last time I checked, there wasn’t a requirement that said you have to read every Freeman article if you didn’t want to. Or comment for that matter. Just sayin….
January 9th, 2013 at 9:34 pm
I will lmao @ all the haters if freeman leaves….
side note Josh’s dad is his agent so some of you might get your wish ,and The bucs will be alot worse.
January 9th, 2013 at 9:40 pm
Or we might be a lot better depending on who his replacement is. There are 2 sides to every story. So far though, Im pretty sure a rookie could come in and lead us to 3,4 and 7 win seasons. So in terms of wins and losses I dont see a rookie having much less of an impact. Hell, he might even score a few points in the first half of games routinely.
January 9th, 2013 at 9:43 pm
ur crazy….lol
January 9th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
Lol, whats the matter you dont like my stats? I thought you were a stat guy!
January 9th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
uh…IS IT ME or does this picture of Josh look like he’s wearing a fatsuit? he looks so different now. question is, WHY WAS HE FASTER AND BRAVER WHEN HE WAS CHUBBY? WHYYYYYYY!!? TIME PARADOX! *black hole swallows everything*
January 9th, 2013 at 11:08 pm
IF Josh leaves in wont be because he wants to
It will be because he’s been dumped lol
One things for sure is if one day a couple years from now he does finally learns to win with another team I really wont care honestly lol…
Cause he wasn’t doing it here and that’s all that I care about.
January 9th, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Amen at this rate, I would gladly take my chances with a rookie. He may not get 4000 yards but he can’t do to much worse with wins/losses
January 10th, 2013 at 1:54 am
In today’s NFL 4,000 yards is the minimum you would expect from a starting QB. Comparing today’s NFL to Dungy’s Buc offenses is ludicrous.
If Gosh’s agent is his dad, does his dad still live in KC? I can imagine him hanging out around Arrowhead watering holes wearing a large “I’m Gosh’s Dad” button. Heck, Gosh is probably with him.
January 10th, 2013 at 8:03 am
This is good news bc we are steps closer to getting Johnny football!
January 10th, 2013 at 9:12 am
LOOK PEOPLE. we wont get Johnny football. sorry i’m at school on the computer, but simply put, we don’t need a new star QB. we need a serviceable quarterback like Brad Johnson was. someone who can finish the game well if Josh freeman can’t play well that day. so just face it. DEFENSE IS OUR PRIORITY AND WILL ALWAYS BE UNTIL WE STOP GETTING BURNED BY WIDE RECEIVERS!!!. jOSH WILL DEVELOP EVENTUALLY. i don’t want the Steve Young mistake to happen again: we get a bad QB with a good QB deep inside him, then we get rid of him and he goes to the hall of fame on another team.
January 10th, 2013 at 10:40 am
@ sun-bit …….it’s no use .. Some of these people are to stupid to know that our defense sucks and josh is an up and coming star ….
January 10th, 2013 at 10:41 am
*usn -bit*. Dang iPad
January 10th, 2013 at 11:46 am
If it took 4 years to realize that you are with the wrong 1 then at least it is realized before committing long term… Only a fool offers a ring to a girl just because she has hung around for 4 years even though she obviously will not be the best mate for him!
JF got plenty of opportunities since he was drafted to prove himself worthy to remain a Starting QB and he has not been able to pull it off… No one can say he hasn’t had his chances… Why commit to a guy who is far more like a Fitzgerald or Sanchez and totally give up on any chance to finally get a Brees, Brady, Manning type… Which The bucs have never had!
January 10th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
@USN-BIT
we don’t need a new star QB
————————————————————
The second you posted that the rest of your post was invalidated and you now lost all credibility. LMAO… right no team could use a star QB… stick with a mediocre QB who needs a dominant defense and try to make your defense average… thats a sure way to winning football. You and Raph must share the same brain… apparently its only half a brain.
January 10th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Bahahaha sorry man couldn’t take that remotely serious.
January 10th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
The elite QB have a couple bad games a year.A couple average games and 10 great games.Freeman had a couple great games 10 average games and 4 horrible games.I still hold out hope for Freeman and I’m he has one more chance to prove he can be consistant.I don’t think his throwing motion is the problem it’s his poor footwork.Way way to much bend in his anchor leg.Everybody stand up take a 3 step drop.Stand tall with a very slight knee bend like Tom Brady.Feel’s right like you could throw the ball consistantly right.Now take a 3 step drop with a lot of knee bend.Hey look at you great Josh Freeman impression