I waited until today to write this post. I was far too ticked off at what I saw on Sunday to not let my emotions cloud my thoughts.
Since it appears that the quarterback position is the only position anyone cares to address these days, I will address it.
Advocates of Josh Freeman taking over now need to test their virtue of patience.
Oh, it's hard to do so. How easy it is to say, "Let's give the franchise a go"?
Not that easy.
Most importantly, the move has to be done for the right reason.
I would absolutely not put Freeman in just to ignite public curiosity. Bad move.
I'm not his coach. If I was, here's my thought process.
(Simulation)Above all, I would want to put my franchise QB in when he has the best possible opportunity to succeed, not fail.
I understand the growing pains and mistakes Freeman will likely make. I understand this development stuff.
However, I would have to be sure that the rest of the Bucs offense is doing enough that Freeman's "development" isn't stunted or severely taken off track for reasons beyond himself.
Are the WR's/TE's doing their part? Is the offensive line doing its part? Same goes for the running backs.
Why am I so cautious? We now come to the ultimate reason why Freeman must at least show signs of hope.
As head coach, (me acting as Coach Morris), I will be held responsible for drafting Freeman.
It was me that had the inside track on this kid. It was me that coached him in college.
It was me that looked at the draft experts who said Freeman was a reach that high, and took him anyway.
It was me that had faith in my conviction to make this selection.
Now, I must make sure he will be in the best possible position to succeed and not get hurt.
After further review, and we concur Freeman is far enough along, I go directly to him.
I don't say, "You're starting this week." I ask him, "Are you ready?" Not once, not twice, maybe not even three times. I want to hear conviction out his mouth when he says yes.
I don't want a laid back "yes." I want to see adrenaline rush to his eyes when he says yes. Then its go time.
(Real World)As we sit here today, and make our assessment from a distance, it is not time to put Freeman in.
He is obviously not far enough along in the "lab" as Coach Morris calls it.
Nor is this offense playing anywhere near the capability anyone thought before the start of camp. This is not an inexperienced bunch on offense.
Do Faine, Joseph, Trueblood, Winslow, Stevens, Bryant, Clayton, Ward, Williams, Graham, Stovall sound young to you. Heck no.
If they're not all committed to details to be successful, why would I put my young QB behind them?
When they start producing collectively, that's when I consider Freeman.
Coach Morris may come out and say "It's time to unleash the curly haired kid."
Whether it's today, next week, next month or next season, Morris will be joined at the hip with this kid from K-State.
His future with the team will likely be riding on it.
