Josh Freeman was the other first round quarterback taken earlier this year. He didn’t seem to be in line for much work this year as the third quarterback coming into the season. Seven losses later, the rookie found himself at the helm for the Bucs.
Freeman’s first game wasn’t very good, but local writers thought it was promising. Though, the second game for the rookie wasn’t exactly the ideal scenario for breaking in a quarterback. Tampa Bay took on the Green Bay Packers at home and ended up winning in a shootout. The Bucs got their first win on the strength of a 14 for 31 effort from Freeman with 205 yards and three touchdowns. The last TD came with 4:14 left in the fourth quarter to put Tampa up by three.
Clearly, Freeman has gotten the result that Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson couldn’t. But then again, they’re still Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson. The key play in the game came on a 3rd and 7 at the Green Bay 42 yard line. If the Bucs didn’t convert, they would’ve had to punt with a five point deficit. Instead, Freeman chucked the ball to Michael Clayton who had drawn Al Harris in single coverage. Harris wasn’t tracking the ball and Clayton made an adjustment on an underthrown ball for a 29 yard catch. Tampa got a first down on that play and later scored on 4th down. The effort had the Tampa Bay press going wild. Here’s an excerpt from the Tampa Tribune:
They had been saying just such things for weeks at One Buc Place while we waited for Freeman to take his turn. They said he had an attitude to go with his arm, that he would take chances downfield instead of dink-and-dunk. They said he would be mobile enough to keep plays alive. They said mistakes wouldn’t rattle him. They were right.
It’s clear that this writer is drunk on victory. Yes, Freeman performed admirably and he should get credit for the win. But it’s a little too early for his Hall of Fame induction. Freeman has the physical skills but he will certainly face adversity in upcoming games. Kellen Winslow was his leading receiver in this game followed by Derrick Ward, Maurice Stovall, and Sammie Straughter. Even when Antonio Bryant returns, opponents will start to keep an eye on Winslow and Ward to force Freeman to look downfield. While Freeman may turn into a productive NFL quarterback, you can expect him to come back to earth as the Bucs face the Dolphins, Saints, and Falcons in the next three games. My prediction for next week’s line against Miami: 13 of 26 for 175 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.
