TAMPA, FL -- A little after 1pm today on the Bucs practice field, we got the word. Josh Freeman is now the Bucs starting quarterback.
So the great NFL adventure begins for the kid from Kansas State.
Freeman said he was waiting for this decision to come. He didn't like sitting on the bench.
Well, now he won't. On November 8, Freeman will run out of the tunnel at Ray Jay as the man.
Both Head Coach Raheem Morris and Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson said Freeman has put in the necessary work behinds the scenes. Now it was time to transpose that learning to the field.
Neither of the coaches said it, but I'm quite sure both would have preferred to hold off on putting #5 out there.
Freeman has to begin sometime. When your 0-7 and headed no where fast, now was as good a time as any. In essence, Freeman is going on by default.
Byron Leftwich didn't produce a win. Neither did Josh Johnson. Johnson is now #2. Leftwich remains the mentor and #3.
My biggest concern is that the offense around the quarterbacks is not playing well.
I see no value in putting your future in there where there seems to be a minimum percentage of success.
Perhaps the most important role now is that of Freeman's teammates. Each and every one needs to step it up.
They haven't since day one. What makes me believe they will now? Maybe the pride factor will set in. Maybe Freeman will be the difference. Maybe I'll win the lottery.
I'm pulling for the kid. I'm hoping the rest of his teammates react accordingly. Were talking about the future of this franchise.
Were talking about potential jobs on the line.
I can only go back and remember what a self made millionaire told me. You don't amass a fortune by not taking risks.
This move is a risk. In the end we hope it becomes a reward for all involved.
