Some National Love For Freeman
October 7th, 2010
Count Joe among those in great pain over the Rays looking the Jim Bates Experience today. So Joe thought an evening pick-me-up was in order.
USA Today has churned out a feature story exalting the budding superstarness that is Josh Freeman.
“We hit the jackpot in terms of his work ethic,” Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olson says. “He’s got really good parents who talk about the value of hard work and preparation.
“Here’s a kid that’s willing to come in and do what’s asked of him by the coaching staff. You don’t ever know how a kid will be when you pay him all that money. Will he be coachable? Will he do all the work?”
The article delves into how exactly Greg Olson had the nerve to ask Drew Brees to mentor Freeman and Josh Johnson during the offseason, as well as Brees’ response.
Joe hopes the Bucs reward Freeman with more talent at the skill positions. If the salary cap floor returns next year, Joe suspects that will be inevitable.
October 7th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Hopefully his accuracy will get better with time. Even Brees struggled early on.
Good to hear he’s still putting in overtime with the WRs though.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Definitely, Pete. Accuracy is one of those things that gets better and better as you develop and mature as a QB. Especially since it looks like he’s going to have a nice core of guys to work with for a while, that will only help with his accuracy.
He’s going to be a stud and the league is starting to figure it out.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Now if he can pass for more than 200 yards in a game………………..think of the accolades.
He is good, gotta give him his due.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
From the end of last year and into this year, Freeman seems like the kind of QB that can dominate. Of course he will have to have the people around him to do that, but he has the size and the arm strength along with the intellect to dominate. This will take time, but as he and his supporting cast develop, it will be fun to watch. The comparisons to “Big Ben” bother me a little, because most of what is talked about is size. I see a better athlete in Freeman (and a better person).
October 7th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I think his accuracy will be fine and I don’t think was an issue. He said passes would get away from him because of his thumb, so I can’t judge him on that.
Most of his int’s last season seemed to be from decision making, not accuracy and I think that has improved a lot on that judging from this season.
October 8th, 2010 at 12:16 am
As I have always said, confidence improves your accuracy. Most of the inaccurate passes Freeman made last season and this one, he had defenders on his face. For a rookie, it is a natural response for the body to fear an approaching defender.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:28 am
”Joe hopes the Bucs reward Freeman with more talent at the skill positions. If the salary cap floor returns next year”
We wanted a young offense that could grow with Freeman. Other than better O-linemen, I think we are set on that side of the ball. We’ll see if Huggins and Blount work out in the backfield. I think they will. Winslow needs no upgrade. Mike Williams needs no upgrade. Sammie in the slot needs no upgrade. The only spot that might need better talent is the #2 WR spot, but only if Benn, Stovall, Spurlock, Parker, and Briscoe show that they can’t be good there.
Other than O-line, I’d expect next year’s FA and draft to be all about the defense.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:37 am
JDouble- good stuff as usual. I think we will be set at WR for a long time. Freeman just continues to be very impressive.
October 8th, 2010 at 9:29 am
I do see an improvement from last year. There is no denying that.
My concern is the OL giving him protection and time. I just dont see that they are doing a “good enough” job for him.
Can someone with more experience elaborate on this for me?
October 8th, 2010 at 10:11 am
ERIC:
I could care less if he passes for over 200 yards. Just win games.
As far as surroundng him with better skill position people…. I think they have, they are just young.
I see Williams, Benn, and Stroughter being here a long time. Then they K2 at TE.
What they need is Blount and Huggins to emerge and be USED.
October 8th, 2010 at 10:14 am
I see next years draft still being DE #1.
Followed by O-Line help (LG)
Next on the list would be MLB and RB IF Blount and Huggins don’t show ALOT the rest of the way.
I see a Safety being taken in the mid-rounds and hopefully TJax back from rehab with his head on straight too.
October 8th, 2010 at 11:29 am
How many catches and yards does Stroughter have this season? 6/49 with 8.2 yard average.