Josh is dandy but his interceptions are not

Posted Dec 6, 2009 by Tom McEwen

Updated Dec 6, 2009 at 10:08 PM

Years ago, when Steve Spurrier was hired by Hugh Culverhouse to quarterback his new expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first season in the National Football League at the persistent urging of me and others around here, I felt about as I do these days with Josh Freeman quarterbacking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

We were all for that, too.

And I still am despite his interception-filled loss to Carolina in Charlotte Sunday. Freeman threw five balls that were intercepted in the Charlotte end zone to deny his Buccaneers points. Don’t say they would have won with accurate throws here, but do say the errant throws lost the game and it was the quarterback’s fault, at least three of them.

It really was the story of the game, the interceptions Josh Freeman threw.  I know, I know he is a rookie, but this needs to be called to the attention of those who saw the game and those who did not.  We all know Coach Raheem Morris and his staff will be on the young man’s back this week working on this matter.  It is fixable and it is clear that Morris has settled on Freeman as his quarterback. 

Why not, he is big and strong and can stand his ground in traffic.  We have had different assorted sizes reporting for this quarterback job but our own good Buc friend, John Lynch, former safety, now an announcer, said he was 6’4” and 240.  I don’t think he is quite that heavy, but that is the neighborhood. His physical size and shape is perfect for this job.

He seems to have the arm for the necessary zip and distance in it, but that will be up to the coaches.  I think all of us in Bucland like what we saw generally in the young man and believe he is well chosen as a future Buc quarterback. While we are on that subject, you may want to think back to some of the genuinely lousy quarterbacks who have come this way. 

If this quarterback can be what he suggests by his appearance and effort, Coach Raheem is on his way to building a team.  You start with the quarterback and go from there.  The way the rest of the team acts around him suggests approval. 

We all hate to kiss a year off, but the time seems right to do that. Now Coach Raheem can build a future.  This of course includes using those who know the NFL well enough to make their suggestions who may be available on the free market.  The Buccaneers can be bidders there. They have the need and they have the money and they have the best practice facilities and the best game facilities in the NFL. This is an attractive home for new players.

Sandy McKinnon said that the Super Bowl Committee in Tampa is at work trying to lure the NFL here for another Super Bowl.  The Committee is in place and early long range assignments are in place.  We ought to get it again. All previous Super Bowls in Tampa have been declared successful locally and nationally. Mayor Pam Iorio is on board for this pursuit.  I frankly am confident another Super Bowl can be in the future for those of us who will still be around to present and enjoy.

Right now, Coach Raheem has to do something about those interceptions his quarterback is throwing.

Interceptions badly, badly discourage attendance, and encourage losing.