Josh Freeman to Take Over as Bucs' QB

It was only a matter of time, really. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going nowhere this season. They are 0-7 and have been outscored 203-96 in the process. They drafted Josh Freeman in the first round (17th overall pick) of the draft this past April to be their quarterback of the future. You aren't going anywhere in 2009, so it's time to start playing for the future. Thus, it makes sense to hand him the keys at this point.

The Bucs are going to do exactly that when they head to Green Bay for Week 9's game (after a bye this week). Head coach Raheem Morris announced Wednesday that Freeman will be the team's starting quarterback moving forward.

"That's no discredit for what Josh Johnson has done for this football team. He's given his best efforts, but due to the preparation and the timing, we want to implement a young man into our system, our town and our community. We think it's the best coming off the bye. It's the most time to prepare. It's the most time for him up until this point, and it's time to see a little Josh Freeman."

There is history between coach and player, too. Morris was on staff at Kansas State during Freeman's freshman year, so he has liked this kid for a long time.

One thing that makes Freeman unique -- to those not named JaMarcus, at least -- is that he's huge. Many quarterbacks are tall, but Freeman is 6-foot-6 and weighs upwards of 260-265 pounds, according to offensive coordinator Greg Olson (via Pewter Report).

While it might not be the best move for the team in terms of winning games in 2009, this is a move the Bucs had to make. Freeman can now learn the job on the field instead of while holding a clipboard. He won't have any pressure on him from fans or teammates, because the Bucs were awful before he started playing.

Freeman received his first game action last week against the Patriots during trash time. He completed two of his four passes for 16 yards.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-28-2009 @ 10:07PM

gonzo1 said...

another byron leftwich , yawn .

10-29-2009 @ 12:57AM

brucekins said...

I hope the bucs never win a game again, for what they did till derrick brooks. The all time bucs, player just send him off like that screw that team my number one team is whoevr the bucs play,I know they miss Derrick, warrick, cato, Joey, they released them the wrong way and who is this coach Raheem (lol) what a joke

10-29-2009 @ 11:55AM

Bruce Bishop said...

Your right he is a joke, he will not last long, they fired the best coach they ever had.

10-29-2009 @ 3:43AM

b2c095 said...

From what I read in blogs..blacks don't have the market cornered in bad grammar.

10-29-2009 @ 8:52AM

Andrew said...

Not to mention, he weighs "upwards up 260-265" should be upwards of...some idiot. AOL bloggers tend to have worse spelling and grammar than most of the posters, and that is sad. Not to mention especially because Microsoft Word and similar programs all have spelling AND grammar check...

10-29-2009 @ 9:58AM

jdee2773 said...

even with the so called ( black's ) bad grammar. I can still understand what they are saying. At least it is not Spanish or Mexican bonic's... chill out all you English teacher's..maybe you should teach SPANISH.

10-29-2009 @ 10:16AM

bobfun28 said...

Now ,why can't that a** (Mangini) make a change at quarterback. Quinn has not been given a fair chance at QB. He can do no worse than Anderson!!!!!

10-29-2009 @ 10:27AM

DwightMann said...

I'm sure that there must be a High School quarterback somewhere that would be willing to take over for the Raiders. Even a Pop Warner player would be better

10-29-2009 @ 10:33AM

BIG O said...

the only thing wrong with the bucs, is the head coach. he doesn't know what he is doing. i guess they got him pretty cheap.

10-29-2009 @ 12:00PM

I can do a better job, sign me to coach, and they won't have to pay me as much.

10-29-2009 @ 11:27AM

handhplymouth said...

I do not follow he bucs.I hope they have a good line to protect him. The move could be a costly one for them. If he gets hit too many times before he adjusts to playing in the NFL. I am sure everyone will blitz him until he can adjust.

10-29-2009 @ 11:36AM

mbonhamwolv said...

Craigatcustom,

Congrats on catching the grammatical error of the writer in the article. Maybe Matt Snyder who wrote the article should of hired a proof reader, such as you. Even though I only have a high school diploma, I also am a stickler for poorly written(grammatical, spelling)news/sports articles.

10-29-2009 @ 12:21PM

Matt Snyder said...

MBonhamwolv:

If you are a stickler, you should realize "should have" is correct, not "should of."

I made several typos in this piece in an effort to get it posted quickly. They were egregious errors that I rarely make. I feel awful about it, considering it's my job to ensure everything is accurate.

In the future, at least practice what you preach.

10-29-2009 @ 11:56AM

cowboybarboss said...

What do the Buc's stand to lose at this point? Get this kid in there and let him take a crack at it. It also might behoove the Buc's to take another look at their coaching staff.

10-29-2009 @ 12:29PM

pppsfan said...

I live in the bay area and have supported the local teams, The Bolts The Rays The Bucs, The Bulls (USF), but before there were any pro sports teams here and living in the Steel City, I have always been a Steelers fan and a Penguins fan for most of my teen and adult life. The reason is simple they have never strayed from their plans. Both teams have had big stars but none have been bigger then the big picture "The Team". The Steelers have had three head coaches in their lifetime, that tells you that they do their research and find the best fit and stick with it. The Pens have had a couple more coaches than the Steelers but they have always stayed with the team first concept. The Bucs ownership has bitten off more then they can chew with the purchase of Man United. They are way over their heads trying to keep both the Bucs and Man U afloat. They need to get rid of one of these teams and be fair to the fans. The reason they are way under the salary cap on the Bucs because they have to pay for the big name soccer players to keep the english people from hanging. They had to let Ronaldo go because they couldn't afford too pay him. They let D.Brooks,Cato June, W.Dunn and many more good players go and replaced them with cheaper younger players and now the fans are paying for it. They need to sell one of these teams and get fully behind the one they keep and let someone else get fully behind the other and make the fans happy and stop feeding their ego's with the Buc's fans hard earned money. English and grammer "professor's" do not reply.

10-29-2009 @ 2:22PM

sirb1azeem said...

Oh wow another exceptional quarterback just like jamarcuss russel. LMAO

10-29-2009 @ 2:48PM

boldbigman said...

Stop hatin!!! If you're so great why aren't you playing in the NFL???? HATER

10-29-2009 @ 2:45PM

Poor lil craig. What happen black guy beat you up and take your lunch money or did black guy still your girlfriend? To just single out black people craig shows your little insecurities. Sorry lil craig this was written by one of your guys. If you scroll down you can even see his picture. People becareful on these boards we have AOL SPELL CHECK POLICE watching us...... lol

10-29-2009 @ 4:32PM

clank mulligan said...

the bucs are a stumbling gaggle of clowns with no apparent direction or purpose. pitiful, sorry, inept......too bad....tony dungy gone..gruden.gone
who is in charge? bozo?