Extending Freeman Would Disrespect Schiano
January 17th, 2013
Bucs icon Derrick Brooks is not surprised the Bucs have taken a “no-hurry” approach to extending Josh Freeman’s contract, which expires after the 2013 season.
In fact, Brooks says Greg Schiano’s two-week-old statement of desiring competition for Freeman would be rendered meaningless if Freeman was re-signed.
“No need to rush anything, One, in terms of respecting the head coach’s position on this and creating competition, extending a contract at this time kind of eliminates that opportunity that a head coach wants to do when it comes to creating that environment at that position,” Brooks said.
Brooks makes a sound point. Looking to lock up Freeman now, even a team-friendly deal, would essentially make Schiano’s alleged desire for completion for Freeman a complete sham. Of course, Joe finds it to be somewhat of a sham now, considering there are no quality quarterbacks laying around that are going to challenge Freeman for a starting spot.
Plus, throw in the fact that Schiano and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik assessed Freeman off his heinous 2011 season and decided he didn’t need competition. All they talked about last year at this time was Freeman hitting the “reset button” to recreate his 2010 success. So for Joe, that’s not a sign Dominik and Schiano have the core belief of competition at all positions.
Brooks also made the point that Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Joe Flacco and Tom Brady played into the final years of their contracts, so there’s no reason to think the Bucs are slighting Freeman or doing anything unexpected.
January 17th, 2013 at 10:05 am
When “The Don” speaks, I listen
January 17th, 2013 at 11:01 am
I agree 100% with Brooks. There is no need to extend Josh Freeman this offseason, it doesn’t make sense for both sides to do a deal. Just let Freeman play out next year to see if he’s the guy. The front office and Josh and his reps understand this, if only the portion of the fanbase that are wasting their time coining nicknames such as ‘Gosh’ could grasp this logic, then we could avoid another 1,000 stories from all the local media outlets and focus on other offseason issues.
Now, if Josh Freeman has another season where he starts a bit slow, comes off the bye week on fire and tails off at the quarter end of the season, then we’ll have a topic for debate as Freeman will be a free agent. But for now, I’m willing to give Josh one more season to put it together. I don’t see a better option in free agency or the draft at this point, so let the man play out his contract and we’ll go from there.
January 17th, 2013 at 11:09 am
Think Dom & Schiano wanted to see what they had in Freeman by letting him learn and operate the system for a year. Definitely don’t see that as a sign Dominik and Schiano don’t have the core belief of competition at all positions. Simply trying to assess players working in a new system and making choices based off of those results. Definitely agree though that a backup QB with a bit more spice than Orlavsky is needed. Fairly certain there are a few other QB’s that will become available as the off-season progresses. Curious how it plays out. One thing that has to get revised is the approach to third down conversion.
January 17th, 2013 at 11:11 am
Maybe they’ll bring in Matt Flynn.
January 17th, 2013 at 11:27 am
Alex Smith and Matt Flynn are two quarterbacks ‘lying around’ that may be worth considering. Tebow is probably worth looking at if we want to try the read-option that seems to be working so well lately.
January 17th, 2013 at 11:29 am
@Capt. Edward
Exactly what I am thinking…..how do we know that the so called “rock star” isn’t working out a deal to trade a pick for another quarter back off another team. Like Matt Flynn. Man would that piss off all the Freeman lovers that think he’s so great.
January 17th, 2013 at 11:35 am
Smith and Flynn are under contract. We’re not trading for either of those guys, and the organization isn’t paying Freeman $8 million and change next year to ride the bunch. GET REAL PEOPLE
January 17th, 2013 at 11:41 am
@Skam
Seriously?
One of the options of the read option is the actual proper execution of throwing a football, that is one club Timmy doesn’t have in his bag.
If anyone thinks Alex Smith is going to sign somewhere as backup competition to an entrenched starter, you’re crazy.
January 17th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
There is competition out there. It just depends on how far the Bucs are willing to go to get it. Alex Smith had one of the top passer ratings in the NFL before he got hurt and now he is sitting on the bench. If QB is the top position on any team, than why not do what you can to bring in such competition to better solidify the top NFL spot (The QB). Alex Smith would be top tier competition for Freeman. The question is, would Freeman be able to compete with Smith and would the Bucs be willing to give up what it would take to get him?
January 17th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
To Kennedy: If we brought in Smith and he won the job, there are plenty of teams with QB issues that would trade for Freeman after training camp before the trade dead line. So now you get real, dude!
January 17th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
I think Alex Smith has reached his ceiling with the 49ers and Matt Flynn played one good game with the Packers. Now, Flynn might still be a talent worth taking a chance on, but Miami passed on him and Russell Wilson beat him for the starting job right out of camp, so for all we know, he could be a Rob Johnson in waiting (remember, before Rob Johnson collected a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs, he was acquired by the Buffalo Bills with high hopes off of essentially one good start in Jacksonville).
Tim Tebow would be intriguing if he was actually given a chance to play. I don’t think he’s much of a passer, and honestly, the key to beating Tebow is dropping players in coverage and forcing him to make a decision without rushing him, as Tebow seems to be a lot better when he doesn’t have to ‘think’ on the field and can rely on instinct. He’s unlikely to be the answer, and probably isn’t going to be brought in because he attracts too much unwanted attention.
I don’t know who else is out there that can seriously be brought in to ‘push’ Josh Freeman. I can’t see Dominik/Schiano drafting a QB in this draft, and even if they do, it would likely be in the later round and for developmental purposes as opposed to really challenging Freeman.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Bull Crap, with the recent play of Josh you would have difficulty not finding someone that can compete with him.
That’s how terrible his play was.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
I will stop cheering for the Bucs if they acquire Tebow. He hasn’t proved he can quarterback at a CFL calibre level. Do not want.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:42 pm
That’s not true fandom
January 17th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
The fact is we know he is going to be here next year. Most of our problem is he does not seem to change. Still can’t read a defense. Colin reads now and takes what they give him now. Some say he is a second year QB. Well he is a rookie as far as on the field NFL starter. And a short time at that. Josh should be able toread and take what they give him. Do we expext him to make every play? No. But. He still stares down receivers. I remember one game Underwood was wide open in the middle with VJ open down field. But as usual Freeman was locked in (in this case) with Williams on the sideline. Of course he was covered. Freeman got pissed again! Open lanes he does not run. Off target with passes. If other fans can’t figure out after over 56 starts why we think he gets one more try or he should be done. Well I guess you want to wait and hope some day just maybe he will change. And will get us to the big dance.
January 17th, 2013 at 8:07 pm
Just like Tony “Oh no” Romo, Freeman is good enough to break your heart. I hope 2013 is the year Freeman takes it to the next level, or he is done with the Bucs.