In his fourth year in the league, Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman has made tremendous strides as a player and as a leader. The team’s performance of late is a reflection of Freeman’s success.
In 2011, Freeman threw 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions as the Bucs struggled to a 4-12 record and a last place finish in their division.
For Freeman and Tampa Bay, things have changed in 2012. Through Week 12, the fourth-year quarterback has thrown 21 touchdowns to just seven interceptions for a passer rating of 94.3. Only five other quarterbacks in the league have a touchdown-to-interception ratio of three-to-one or better. Four of them are Super Bowl Champions and the fifth is rookie Robert Griffin III.
But it’s not just his on-field performance that has helped Tampa Bay climb into the playoff race with four wins in the club’s last five games. Rookie running back Doug Martin said that Freeman has exemplified the leadership of a player with more than four years under his belt.
“He definitely taught me quite a few things on and off the field and how to handle certain situations on the field,” Martin said in Wednesday’s conference call. “He helps me with where I should be on my routes and what I need to do to help him out and off the field he helps me deal with the media, how to deal with fans and stuff like that. He’s been a great help to me.”
Part of what has triggered a successful 2012 campaign for Freeman is the weight he lost during the offseason, trimming down by close to 20 pounds. Head Coach Greg Schiano, in his first season with the Bucs, wasn’t able to compare Freeman’s physical shape from last year to this year. However, he said that his quarterback “feels better,” which has made all the difference.
“So much of it is mental,” Schiano said in a separate call. “When you feel better, whether you’re running faster, you’re not as strong or you are as strong, I don’t know that stuff. But I do know that he feels better, and to me, that’s more than half the battle. When you feel better, you play better.”
In 2012, the 24-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s top passers. With the decision-making skills that he has shown in throwing only seven interceptions and the improvements he has made physically, it’s easy to look past his youth. His coach said his work ethic is behind it all, and it shows on Sundays.
“He lives in this building,” Schiano said. “He just works his tail off, and has become a real student of the game. The thing that sometimes people lose sight of here in the league — he’s only 24 years old, so he’s really just grown up. He’s doing a heck of a job, and he’s fun to work with and really a good person, so I think we’re very fortunate to have him.”
The Von Miller show in Denver is fun to watch, and the Broncos defense has really stepped up of late, but imagine how much better this group could be with another explosive pass-rusher.
Peyton Manning gives the Broncos legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, and there isn’t another team in the AFC I’d pick over this one right now to win it.
Adding Babin to the mix on defense would be the icing on the cake, giving the Broncos one of the most formidable defenses in the AFC.
(From an article about where Babin should end up. The argument for Denver)
Babin was claimed by the Jags.
I just saw that strand and was just about to post that. Lol all these teams who everyone thought should take him didnt even have a chance lol
I wonder if Denver put in a claim. Just curious to know. LOL
Strand I’d love to know ’cause I sure wanted him here. Salary Cap considerations?? Who knows.
It’s irrelevant anyhow. LOL
yeah i wonder if Denver did..i was checking to see to on nfl.com
and i was hoping he clears waivers and Denver picks him up
So Knowshon is going to be on NFLN in a short time on Around the League. That will be interesting to see.
when
It seems like a lot of people are missing the impact Greg Schiano has had on the TB Bucs. Expect to see a very disciplined, physical, and hard nosed football team on Sunday. Schiano gets the most out of his players, and single handedly put Rutgers on the map, in an area where college football does not make headlines. As far as Doug Martin goes, I’m not surprised he ended up in TB, afterall, Schiano recruited Ray Rice out of high school.
OT, did you watch the Rutgers/Louisville Game today on ESPN Classic? It was a signature win for Schiano, and from what RBF said, he has that defense really flying around…
I’m excited to see this team against another quality squad… I’m looking, like everyone, to see how we do against their running game
Well, I just listened to the Schiano conference call. I clearly didn’t get the memo, and should have listened to it before my post…
I did not BT, been running around all day. Just now trying to piece the days sports news together.. Looks like only Buffalo and Washington put a claim in on Babin, other than Jacksonville.
TB does have a good run game, but we can’t sleep on Vincent Jackson IMO.
I watched the second half… they had to clear the fans off the field for the last 2 seconds and the play ended up being a sack… funny really
and I Agree about Jackson, their entire offense is for real but I think our true strength against the pass comes from our Pass Rush! Peyton should have a field day…
That game sounds familiar, what year was it? There’s really no college football that anyone cares about around here, except Syacuse I guess. Just not big here, probably the only part of the country where that’s the case. Maybe there’s just too much other stuff going on, but not having any big programs here doesn’t help. Schiano did build a good program at Rutgers, and there is some talent in NJ, so maybe they’ll continue to grow it and keep their talent in-state.
I’m actually excited to see Da’Quan Bowers on Sunday. There was a time he was projected in the top 5 overall before the injury concerns came out. Haven’t really seen him play since he got in the NFL.
2006
Time flies, doesn’t seem like that game was 6 years ago..
Did anyone see that Denver put in a bid to host the Super Bowl in 2018? There’s a guy with a radio show out here, who claims the Super Bowl should not be in a cold weather city, without a dome. He even threw a fit when the Giants got it for 2014. Guess I’ll be calling in tomorrow to put him in his place! LOL
LOL… get’em OT! I would love to see a Superbowl at Sports Authority!
Yea, I call in from time to time to bark about my Broncos! Good times!
Raiders to release Rolando McClain…
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8688668/rolando-mcclain-released-oakland-raiders-according-source