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Josh Freeman News & Rumors

Josh Freeman slimmed down to get better, Bucs' Dominik says
May 9
NFL.com
 
"Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman has lost roughly 20 pounds in an effort to become more mobile and bounce back from a down season in 2011, according to general manager Mark Dominik. "You've seen a guy who's completely committed to getting his season back on track and hitting the reset button and getting his game back to hopefully to more of what we saw in 2010 as a young 22-year-old," Dominik said Wednesday on NFL.com's "Cover Two" podcast. "The last couple years, he's been playing around 255-260 (pounds). Right now, he's sitting downstairs (at the team facility) weighing about 235-238. "He's getting his body right, working on getting more mobility and better conditioned and"
Quarterback Josh Freeman epitomizes Tampa Bay Buccaneers' restart
April 19
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist Gary Shelton
"In the new world of Josh Freeman, here at the cusp of a new start, the first thing you notice is his new look. He is leaner, hungrier. Those rounded cheeks of his are gone. His body is sleeker, harder, perhaps 15-20 pounds worth. Even his hair is shorter, giving him a more serious appearance. If you did not know Freeman was a quarterback, perhaps you would mistake him for a tight end. For Freeman, and for his franchise, it is all fresh, as if someone has hit the reset button on his career. His head coach is new, and his offensive coordinator, and his quarterback coach. He has a new star receiver and a new guard and, for the most part, a new center. He has a new playbook, a new vocabulary"
Josh Freeman begins to get comfortable with new Tampa Bay Bucs offense
April 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If you had asked Josh Freeman to speak in detail about the Bucs' offense before this week, the question might have been met with a blank stare. But now that the team's starting quarterback has had a couple of days of instruction from new offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, Freeman at least has a reference point for the new scheme. "It's going to be a variation of the Giants' offense," Freeman said Tuesday. That's no surprise given that Sullivan was hired from the Giants in February. The Bucs are only beginning to teach their offensive and defensive systems. But the start of the offseason program this week finally enabled players to get an introduction. Coaches were not permitted to work"
Josh Freeman tackling the Bucs' new offense
April 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If you'd have asked Josh Freeman to speak in detail about the Bucs' offense before this week, the question might have been met with a blank stare. But now that the team's starting quarterback has had a couple of days' worth of instruction from his new offensive coordinator, Mike Sullivan, Freeman has at least a reference point. "It's going to be a variation of the Giants' offense," Freeman said today. Sullivan was formerly the Giants' quarterbacks coach. The Bucs are just in the beginning stages of teaching their offensive and defensive schemes. But the start of the offseason program this week finally has enabled players to get an introduction."
Buccaneers, quarterback Josh Freeman in no hurry to talk extension
March 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Quarterback Josh Freeman does some of his best work in the no-huddle offense, but when it comes to talk about a contract extension, there's no call for the hurry-up. Neither Freeman nor the Bucs are interested in negotiating a new deal until at least 2013, according to his father, Ron Freeman, an agent for CAA who handles his son's contract. "We haven't had any discussions about it," Ron Freeman said. "I think there's no rush. Obviously, we want to have something done by 2013. It's really kind of wait and see. I don't think either side feels like there's any reason to do something before then." Freeman, 24, has reason to wait. Not only does he have two years remaining on his contract that"
Josh Freeman had some positives in 2011
March 11
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Josh Freeman was on his way to One Buc Place to meet new quarterbacks coach Ron Turner last week and found it hard to contain his excitement about the start of a new offseason. Freeman would like to take a giant eraser to last season's 4-12 record, 10 straight losses and, especially, 22 interceptions. In fact, new coach Greg Schiano described it as pushing "the reset button." But Freeman doesn't want to forget all that he has learned. "I really did feel like I was a better quarterback last year," Freeman, 24, said. "I know the interceptions stand out, but I was a lot more comfortable out there. I don't want to forget everything I've learned the last three years. "The biggest thing looking"
Josh Freeman says Tampa Bay Buccaneers were warned about New Orleans Saints' 'cheap shots'
March 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman wasn't surprised to learn there might have been a price on his head — and his knees, for that matter — whenever he played the New Orleans Saints. Freeman said players were warned by Bucs coaches in advance about potential "cheap shots'' from the Saints defense the past three seasons. Freeman received an illegal hit out of bounds by Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, who dove at his knees at Raymond James Stadium in 2010. The Saints received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the play and Jenkins was fined $10,000. That was why Freeman wasn't shocked to learn about the NFL's investigation into the Saints' bounty system administered by former defensive"
New offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan drawn to Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of Josh Freeman
February 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There are several reasons becoming the Bucs' new offensive coordinator is a good move for Mike Sullivan. For a longtime position coach, career advancement is among them. The good vibes Sullivan got from new Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano make the list, too. But as much as anything, Eli Manning's former position coach said Wednesday at One Buc Place: "The attraction was having an opportunity to work with a special talent like Josh Freeman." Sullivan was hired away from the Giants on Friday, succeeding the fired Greg Olson in Tampa Bay. The Bucs' scheme could change dramatically, but Sullivan said he is confident they can produce largely because of who lines up under center. "It's a"
Greg Schiano, quarterback Josh Freeman have history together
January 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"New Bucs coach Greg Schiano and his new quarterback have a history together. They met five years ago at, perhaps, Schiano's highest point at Rutgers — and a turning point for Josh Freeman in his development at Kansas State. Schiano's No. 16-ranked Scarlet Knights dominated Freeman and the Wildcats 37-10 in the December 2006 Texas Bowl to cap an 11-win season. The Wildcats scored their only touchdown on special teams. And Freeman threw for only 129 yards with one of his two interceptions returned for a touchdown. "He was a freshman, and I can remember preparing for the bowl game being scared to death: 'If this guy breaks out of the pocket, we are in trouble,' " Schiano said Friday as he was"
Which head-coaching candidate could best help Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman rebound?
January 22
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Regardless of which coaching candidate is hired by the Bucs, the most important thing he will have to bring is a plan for saving quarterback Josh Freeman. The Bucs' first-round pick in 2009 still has all the tools and temperament to become one of the league's best at his position. But from a career standpoint, Freeman needs someone to extend a hand and help him to his feet after taking a hard hit. This season, Freeman's biggest failure was protecting the football. He threw 22 interceptions and only 16 touchdowns. It would be simplistic to blame his lack of production on a lack of weapons. Running back LeGarrette Blount and receiver Mike Williams did not come close to duplicating their"
Freeman is top priority for next Bucs coach
January 3
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Martin Fennelly
"It's time to go on the offensive. Raheem Morris' job ended Monday, the day after a Bucs team he couldn't teach or even reach ran out of games. There are big names and smaller names out there, big minds and smaller minds. Here's what I have in mind: Offense, offense, offense. Reaching out and rebuilding Josh Freeman has to be the No. 1 priority for any new head coach, whether it's Mike Sherman or Rob Chudzinski, whether it's Brian Billick or Mike Mularkey or any of those names being tossed about. Restoring Freeman, giving him the supporting cast the Glazers and surviving (huh?) GM Mark Dominik refused to give Freeman – and Morris – is up there with restoring discipline and accountability."
Buccaneers must make all decisions based on Josh Freeman's recovery
January 1
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist Gary Shelton
"Even now, even with all of the losses and all of the interceptions and all of the chaos, it is about the quarterback. Even now, when no one knows who will be his coach or which teammates will survive or whether next season will be any better than this one, it is about the quarterback. Even now, with all of the doubts and all of the questions and all of the disappointment, it is about Josh Freeman. Rescue him, and the Bucs franchise still has a chance. Fail, and the chaos is going to continue. Now, as much as ever, the futures of the Bucs and of Freeman are intertwined. They will succeed together, or they will continue to let each other down. Soon, we will see what the Bucs plan to do about"
Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman frustrated with offense
December 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The low point for Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman might have come last week, when he attempted only four passes during the first half of a 31-15 loss to the Cowboys. While the NFL has never been a more pass-happy league — with records seemingly falling from the sky — there's no sign the air raid will come to Tampa Bay any time soon. "It's definitely frustrating," Freeman said. "You want to go out and have an impact on the game. But … four passes in the first half? You're kind of limited in that situation. "Part of that is moving the chains. If you move the chains, you get more opportunities. But it's definitely frustrating in … not really being on the field or having a chance to change the"
Freeman: Williams must beat coverages
December 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"Buccaneers WR Mike Williams entered Saturday's game needing just five catches to match his total of 65 last season as a rookie. He still needs those five catches to match that total. For the first time, Williams was held without a reception during Tampa Bay's 31-15 loss to the Cowboys. "I think he had two true one-on-ones,'' Bucs QB Josh Freeman said of Williams, who was not even listed as the target for a pass in the official statistics produced by the NFL. "They were playing a lot of quarter and quarter-halves, which is a zone (coverage) where the second safety just double teams Mike, so it was real tough for him to get touches.''"
What if Tampa Bay Buccaneers were wrong about Josh Freeman being a franchise QB?
December 13
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist John Romano
"The season is lost, and that is regrettable. The head coach is under fire, and that is also a shame. But as painful as those circumstances might seem, there are bigger worries at One Buc Place this morning. Worries beyond a single season or a coach that may be in peril. Consider this: What if the Buccaneers were wrong about Josh Freeman? For, if that were the case, it would completely change the landscape in Tampa Bay. After all, a frustrating season is easily forgotten once it is done. And while replacing a head coach would be a drastic step, it is not a death knell for a team's hopes."
Bucs wondering which No. 5 is the real Josh
December 13
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Martin Fennelly
"Raheem Morris is in trouble. He's in a flat spin headed out to sea (I got that from "Top Gun"). By the way, scratch Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano while you're at it. But Morris still believes in his quarterback. Do you? It's impossible to not give Josh Freeman high marks for toughness after Sunday in Jacksonville. But there's no way around it being one of the worst losses in recent Bucs history, and his fingerprints were all over it along with his bad shoulder print. So, where does he stand? We're at the point, near the end of his second full NFL season, when we're beginning to wonder if this is the learning curve or a step back. It looks like the latter."
Freeman's mistakes costly in Bucs' loss
December 12
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Jacksonville Jaguars were able to avoid a blackout Sunday at EverBank Field. Their opponents can't make the same claim. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were cruising with a 14-0 lead against the NFL's most inept offense before a flurry of three turnovers within a seven-minute span of the second quarter paved the way for a humiliating 41-14 setback. Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman was victimized on the go-ahead score with 1:53 remaining in the opening half when the ball was jarred loose and defensive tackle Nate Collins recovered in the end zone for a 21-14 advantage."
QB Freeman takes usual reps, listed as questionable
December 10
Tampa Tribune
 
"Bucs QB Josh Freeman, who missed last week's game with an injured right shoulder, progressed enough to take his usual amount of repetitions with the starters Friday. Freeman is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup at Jacksonville as Tampa Bay seeks to snap a six-game losing streak that has dropped the Bucs to the bottom of the NFC South. "No. 5 went out there today and proceeded with caution,'' coach Raheem Morris said Friday. "He practiced and looked good. We've seen him throw the ball a lot more this week and he took his usual amount of snaps today.'' Morris said the Bucs will monitor Freeman on Saturday, and his availability could be a game-time decision. Josh Johnson subbed for"
Buccaneers optimistic Josh Freeman will play Sunday against Jaguars
December 9
St. Petersburg Times
 
"QB Josh Freeman took a significant step in his recovery from an injured right shoulder, and the Bucs appear more optimistic he will play Sunday against the Jaguars. Freeman, who sat out Sunday against the Panthers, resumed regular throwing during Thursday's practice. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson said Freeman felt good and was taken out only as a precaution. A key will be how Freeman feels today. He had done only light throwing since hurting his shoulder on the final play against the Titans on Nov. 27. But coach Raheem Morris said Freeman was pretty much full-go Thursday. "He went out and threw the ball pretty productively, felt pretty good," Morris said."
Bucs' Freeman confident he will play against Jaguars
December 8
Tampa Tribune
 
"Three quarters of the way through a season that will not end the way he hoped, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman has had to rearrange his priorities. Winning still is what matters most, of course, but after he was forced to miss last week's 38-19 loss to the Carolina Panthers because of a sore right throwing shoulder, Freeman says getting healthy is second on the list. "After that, I want to see us get back to executing the way we know we can,'' Freeman said. Though Freeman expected his throwing to be limited in practice again this week, he is confident he will be back in the lineup when the Bucs (4-8) take on the Jaguars (3-9) on Sunday in Jacksonville."
Source: Bucs' Josh Freeman out
December 4
ESPN.com
 
"Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman will not play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers due to a shoulder injury, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Josh Johnson will start in Freeman's place. Coach Raheem Morris said this week that Freeman was hurt on a quarterback sneak that was stopped for no gain, sealing a 23-17 loss to the Titans last Sunday."
Josh Freeman, LeGarrette Blount, Mike Williams haven't improved
December 4
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist Gary Shelton
"By now, you might have expected 20 touchdown passes out of Josh Freeman. You might have settled for eight interceptions. By now, you might have expected 750 yards receiving by Mike Williams. You might have expected seven or eight touchdowns. By now, you might have expected 800 or so yards rushing from LeGarrette Blount. You certainly would have expected him to carry the ball more than 138 times. When it comes to the Bucs, you probably expected more. You probably expected better. You probably expected improvement. For the Bucs, that might be the biggest disappointment of them all. Who, exactly, is getting better on this team? Last year, it seemed as if everyone was improving every game. The"
Bucs promote QB Carpenter from practice squad, raising doubt to Freeman's status
December 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If quarterback Josh Freeman is unable to play today against Carolina because of a sore right shoulder, the Bucs will be prepared. Tampa Bay signed third-string quarterback Rudy Carpenter from its practice squad Saturday in case he needs to serve as the backup to possible starter Josh Johnson. Freeman was limited in practice all week and threw only soft passes Thursday. He is listed as questionable, but the Bucs have said his status will be determined in pregame warmups. Johnson, who went 0-4 as a starter in 2009, has taken first-team reps. If Freeman can't play, it would end a steak of 35 starts. Freeman was injured on the final offensive play of a 23-17 loss to the Titans on Sunday when"
Josh Freeman tests sore shoulder in practice, is still questionable
December 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"QB Josh Freeman threw soft passes in practice Friday, the first time he tested his sore right shoulder this week. Freeman is listed as questionable against the Panthers, but his final status won't be determined until just before Sunday's game. "I did a little bit, but today really isn't important," Freeman said. "Same status. I'm just listening to the trainers and trying to ease into it, you know?" Freeman was injured on a fourth-and-1 sneak in Sunday's 23-17 loss at Tennessee. Backup Josh Johnson has taken most of the repetitions with the first-team offense this week. But Freeman's improvement has been encouraging. "He'll be a game-time decision, and we'll take it right up until the last"
QB Freeman's status a game-time decision
December 3
Tampa Tribune
 
"Although Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman continues to be limited in practice, his injured right shoulder showed progress Friday. His availability for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium will be a game-time decision, coach Raheem Morris said. Freeman hurt his shoulder on the final offensive play of Sunday's 23-17 loss at Tennessee after he bobbled a snap on fourth down. He threw lightly on Friday and backup Josh Johnson continued to take most of the reps heading into Sunday's home matchup. "We'll take it right up to the moment of truth,'' Morris said of Freeman, who hasn't missed a start since becoming Tampa Bay's No. 1 quarterback midway"
Freeman improving but limited by shoulder
December 2
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman was limited in practice by a sore right throwing shoulder again on Thursday, but he has made enough progress the past two days to leave coaches feeling good about his chances of starting Sunday against Carolina. "There's been a tremendous amount of improvement,'' Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. "Obviously you have to take a player's pain tolerance into (account) in whether he's going to be able to play. Based just on the improvement from (Wednesday) to (Thursday), I feel pretty good about it.'' Freeman injured his shoulder on the final offensive play of Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, when he was hit while trying to recover a"
Freeman not throwing at practice again
December 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman, who suffered a right shoulder injury last week against the Titans, did not participate in throwing drills during the portion of Thursday's practice available to the media. That marks the second consecutive day Freeman has been limited in practice. Coach Raheem Morris has said Freeman is day-to-day, and could get evaluated all the way up until Sunday before they decide if he can play against the Panthers. Freeman was still participating in practice, doing handoffs and joining with the other quarterbacks, but did not do any throwing."
Bucs QB Freeman says no more firing guns during season
December 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman is a long-time gun enthusiast, but his days of firing weapons at pistol ranges for recreation during football season are over. Freeman suffered a cut on his right thumb that required five stitches to close while firing a Desert Eagle pistol at a Tampa shooting range on Halloween night. The incident, Freeman said, resulted from a lapse in judgment that will not happen again. "I grew up shooting guns with my dad and I always enjoyed shooting guns as a recreation thing,'' said Freeman, who is right handed. "But, in hindsight, it wasn't the smartest decision. You've got to learn from it, so no more shooting guns in season. Not in season.''"
Freeman 'gun mishap' par for Bucs' season
December 1
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Martin Fennelly
""No more shooting guns in season." I think that's going to be the title of the 2011 Bucs highlight film. But, first, it was what Bucs starting quarterback Josh Freeman on Wednesday. If that doesn't sum up 2011, I don't know what does. You'd think that as bad as it has been going, Freeman would want no part of being around loaded weapons. I bet I know exactly what the Bucs management thought, eyes closed, when 5 told them about it. Please don't say you were with Talib … please don't say you were with Talib … Ah, the old "gun mishap.""
Shoulder injury could sideline Bucs' Freeman vs. Panthers
December 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"Forget about Josh Freeman's right thumb. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are most concerned about their quarterback's right shoulder. One day after it was learned Freeman needed five stitches to close a cut on his right thumb sustained while firing a pistol at a local shooting range, the Bucs revealed Freeman has a shoulder injury that could keep him out of this week's game against Carolina at Raymond James Stadium. Freeman injured his throwing shoulder on his final play of the 23-17 loss at Tennessee on Sunday. He did not throw in practice on Wednesday. "We were hoping he would be a full go today, but he was limited,'' said Bucs coach Raheem Morris, who categorized Freeman as day-to-day. "We"
Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman admits to cutting sprained thumb at shooting range
November 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Quarterback Josh Freeman had more trouble with his trigger hand than first believed. Freeman needed five stitches in his right thumb when a gun he was firing at a shooting range recoiled Oct. 31, the Bucs confirmed Tuesday. The mishap occurred during the Bucs' bye week and eight days after Freeman sprained the thumb in a 24-18 loss to the Bears in London. "Yes, there was a sprain," Freeman said in a text message to the St. Petersburg Times on Tuesday. "The sprain was the worst part. The cut was just cosmetic.""
Freeman injured thumb at local shooting range
November 29
Tampa Tribune
 
"Struggling Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman needed five stitches in his right thumb following a gun mishap at a local firing range on Halloween night. The club acknowledged the incident Tuesday in response to questions by The Tampa Tribune. Previously, the Bucs had only confirmed that Freeman sprained his right thumb in the late stages of a 24-18 loss to the Chicago Bears in London on Oct. 23. Freeman wore a wrap on his injured thumb during the overseas flight when the Bucs returned to Tampa the next day, team spokesman Jonathan Grella said."
QB Freeman says thumb not an issue
November 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman admitted Wednesday an injured right thumb has caused him some discomfort in recent weeks. "Maybe a little bit,'' Freeman said. "But being out there, you can't really make excuses for anything. If you're going to be out there, you have to be prepared to play well.'' Freeman sprained the thumb on his throwing hand during the game against the Bears in London on Oct. 23. After a bye week, the thumb was hit repeatedly during a game against the Saints, Freeman said, but now is near 100 percent healed."
Gannon thinks thumb injury plaguing Bucs QB Freeman
November 16
Tampa Tribune
 
"What's wrong with Josh Freeman? From Bradenton to Bartow, that's the question on the minds of many Buccaneers fans as Tampa Bay's third-year quarterback struggles to recapture last year's form. After competing for a Pro Bowl spot in his first full season as a starter, Freeman has been victimized by poor decisions, especially during Tampa Bay's recent tailspin. Freeman has thrown seven interceptions in the three-game losing streak and he's been picked off 13 times overall, compared to only six in all of 2010. CBS analyst Rich Gannon, a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the league's 2002 MVP, worked Sunday's game against the Texans. The first thing Gannon noticed about Freeman last week was"
Saints' blitz gives Bucs' Freeman fits
November 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris believes stats are for losers. One look at Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman's stat line from the Bucs' 27-16 loss to the Saints tells you why. Though Freeman's day was statistically equal to, if not better than, the one enjoyed by Saints quarterback Drew Brees, any comparison had to end there. Harassed by an array of blitzes, Freeman seldom looked comfortable in completing 27 of 37 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown. Brees was seldom hurried while completing 27 of 36 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. "When you face the Saints you're going to get a bunch of all-out pressures, and he got his fair share of that,'' Morris said of"
Josh Freeman's bandaged thumb catches attention of New Orleans Saints
November 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Bucs have faced some scrutiny since Thursday's revelation that QB Josh Freeman sustained a minor sprain of his right thumb but was not previously included on the team's injury report. Paying particularly close attention were the Saints, Sunday's opponent. After hearing of the news, the team reported the omission to NFL officials, coach Sean Payton told New Orleans reporters on Friday. But Morris insisted the Bucs are not among the many teams that often engage in shenanigans with the injury report. He added that Freeman was not included because he was unaffected by the injury, having not missed any playing time or practice time. "Usually we just put the hurt guys on there and leave the"
Buccaneers reveal quarterback Josh Freeman sprained his thumb in game before bye week
November 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There was a surprise on the Bucs' injury report Thursday. Coach Raheem Morris revealed QB Josh Freeman suffered a sprained right thumb Oct. 23 in the loss to the Bears. But Morris said Freeman's injury is not an issue, he has practiced without limitations and he will play Sunday against the Saints. The issue came up when Freeman was spotted in a Wednesday NFL Network interview with the thumb wrapped. "Ask the Saints. I guess they reported it; you can ask those guys," Morris quipped. "That's why we reported it, because the league asked us to. (Freeman) sprained it in the Chicago game, came in and practiced during the bye week, and didn't miss anything this week." Morris appeared amused with"
Freeman's thumb sprain doesn't concern Bucs' coaches
November 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"The sight of Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman doing an interview with the NFL Network with tape wrapped around his right thumb left some Buccaneers and fantasy football fans concerned about his availability for this week's game against at New Orleans. All those concerned can stop worrying. Although he will be added to the injury report, Freeman is fine, according to head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Greg Olson. "He sprained it in the Chicago game (Oct. 23), came in and practiced during the bye week and didn't miss anything this week,'' Morris said. "I can make a big deal out of it if you want me to.'' Morris suggested the Saints sparked the controversy by questioning"
Freeman explains supposed spat with Winslow
November 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"If you didn't see it for yourself you have no doubt heard by now of the supposed spat that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman had with tight end Kellen Winslow on the sideline during the Bucs first meeting with the Saints this year. Little has been written in the mainstream media about the situation because it didn't have an impact on the outcome of the game, didn't fester and carry over beyond the game and because both players said after the fact that their discussion was not the result of a growing problem between them. The issue hasn't died, though, and so it was brought up this past week during Freeman's radio show on 620-WDAE by host Steve Duemig, who got a good solid"
For Tampa Bay Bucs, Josh Freeman's success is tied to LeGarrette Blount's play
November 2
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The less the running back limps, the better the quarterback feels. Funny how that works. It was a welcome sight Tuesday morning when LeGarrette Blount moved quickly across the Tampa Bay locker room. There was no hobble, no hitch, no hurt. Once again, Blount appeared to be pain free. Across the room, darned if Josh Freeman didn't look a little more chipper himself. There is a corollary here, a co-dependence between one man's legs and another man's arm. The better Blount is, the better Freeman can be, and the more dangerous the Bucs offense can be. They need each other, and if the Bucs are going to make something of this season after all, they need them both."
Flaws of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman appear fixable
October 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"You've seen Bucs QB Josh Freeman throw 10 interceptions. You've witnessed the franchise player miss open receivers and make curious and costly decisions. You're exhausted from enduring his (and the offense's) slow starts. Naturally, you're worried. Well, you should be. However, there's a sliver of good news: There's reason to believe Freeman can snap out of this funk. This does not have to be the story of his season, and maybe it won't. Why? Because Freeman's issues aren't a result of an obvious lack of talent. His problems aren't fundamental flaws that take years to repair, such as, say, a Tim Tebow-like delivery. Instead, what's holding Freeman back are things a) he did not do last"
Buccaneers' Josh Freeman says he has been too aggressive, leading to early season woes
October 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Bucs put the finishing touches on their Wednesday agenda at One Buc Place a bit before noon, and players immediately began looking ahead to a break during their bye week. Well, most players, anyway. Quarterback Josh Freeman instead was headed to a meeting room, where he planned to spend much of Wednesday and today working with quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt and others in an effort to fix what has led to his rash of interceptions in recent weeks. Freeman believes he knows where to start. "It's really just peeling back some of the aggressive nature," he said. "When we're dropping back to take a shot, I'm trying to strike a dagger in the defense. More often than not this year, it's kind"
Freeman back to where it all began
October 23
Tampa Tribune
 
"It has been only two years, so time has not yet faded their memories. Perhaps it never will. For no matter what happens, they always will look back at this place and that moment as the point when everything changed. It is their line of demarcation, the point where Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris and general manager Mark Dominik set in motion the events that soon corrected the team's path. And to think, it all started with a simple phone call, a courtesy call, really. Morris had made up his mind. The Bucs were well on their way to their seventh loss in as many tries to start the 2009 season, this one a disturbing 35-7 setback at the hands of the New England Patriots here at Wembley Stadium."
Is Freeman too confident for his own good?
October 16
Tampa Tribune
 
"Nothing tangible explains how Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman reached the point where he already has thrown as many interceptions five weeks into this season as he did all last year. After weeks of study and analysis, the best explanation the Bucs have come up with lies within a theory, and even that includes a glaring contradiction of human nature. How else would you describe the belief that Freeman's confidence — the thing that fuels his extraordinary fourth-quarter comebacks — is the root cause of the bulk of his six interceptions? For a team still trying to find its footing early in what was expected to be a promising season, it is a unique but potentially crippling quandary. Even"
Saints Coach Sean Payton praises Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman
October 11
New Orleans Times-Picayune
 
"New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton was asked Monday about the similarities between Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, both of whom are big, physical young athletes who are hard to bring down in the pocket. Payton said there are some notable differences between the two. Although Payton suggested that Newton is more dangerous in some ways - whether he's running the reverse option or taking off for a breakaway run of his own - he said Freeman is much further along in his development three years into his NFL career."
In battle of Bays, Bucs' Freeman has dreadful day
October 10
Tampa Tribune
 
"Among the many good things Josh Freeman did last season, taking care of the football ranked near the top. He was tied for the third-fewest interceptions among NFL quarterbacks a year ago and, well, everyone just assumed it would always be that way. But there he was late Sunday afternoon outside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' dressing room at Candlestick Park, trying to explain his two interceptions — one of which was returned 31 yards for a touchdown. The Bucs like to say it's all about No. 5, so that's where our discussion will begin. Was Freeman solely responsible for the Bucs' distasteful 48-3 loss to the much-improved San Francisco 49ers? Of course not, unless you feel he could have stepped"
Bucs' Freeman finds third-down success by spreading wealth
October 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"Few quarterbacks have been more efficient than Josh Freeman on third downs this year and Freeman's efficiency may be due in part to his decision to get different targets involved on that critical down. Freeman threw most often to tight end Kellen Winslow and wideout Mike Williams on third downs last year, but his favorite targets this year have been slot receiver Preston Parker and running back Earnest Graham. Parker goes into this weekend's games ranked second in the NFL in third-down receptions with 10 (one less than Darren Sproles of New Orleans), while Graham is tied for third overall with eight third-down catches."
QB Josh Freeman's biggest plays have come on the ground
October 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Considering the number of rules and regulations passed to protect NFL quarterbacks, air travel has never been safer. But twice in the past two games, Josh Freeman's biggest plays came on the ground after he tucked the football under his arm, lowered his head and risked the kind of bell-ringing, clock-cleaning collision that doctors and scientists warn about. There was the crash of helmets with Atlanta safety William Moore when Freeman gained enough yards to pick up a first down and preserve a 16-13 win over the Falcons. Late in the fourth quarter Monday night, he legged out a 7-yard run on third and 6 near midfield against Indianapolis, diving to set up LeGarrette Blount's winning"
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB Josh Freeman struggle in red zone
September 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Bucs keep checking things off their offensive wish list. Seeking faster starts, the offense scored 13 first-half points Sunday against the Falcons, its highest this season. Attempting to regain their offensive identity, the Bucs ran the ball with determination, running back LeGarrette Blount consistently moving the chains. But Sunday's victory was no offensive masterpiece, particularly because of a facet where the growth has been slower: scoring touchdowns inside the red zone. The Bucs have reached the opposition's 20-yard line 11 times and have three touchdowns (ranking 31st among 32 teams). Against Atlanta, the Bucs scored a touchdown once in four red zone trips. In the opener"