Two Totally Random Thoughts On The Bucs Vs Steelers Game

Two things just popped into my head about the Bucs game this weekend.

First, I hope that the Bucs keep Josh Freeman under center for most of the game.  The Steelers rely heavily on disguising their blitzes and their coverage and confusing opposing quarterbacks.  When a QB is in the gun, they have to take their eyes off of the receivers and the coverage for a split second so they can catch the snap. Its at that point when the Steelers' secondary guys can roll their coverages and wait for Freeman to throw the ball right to them.  If he is under center however, he gets to see the whole field the whole time while he is dropping back in the pocket.  It also allows him to run more rollout and bootleg plays.

My second thought is it would be great if the Bucs came out for the second half going no huddle on offense.  Get those big guys on the Steelers' D down here in that heat and they will melt.  And by waiting to spring it on them after half time you don't give them any time to make adjustments.  It will also prevent the Steelers from doing a lot of substitutions between plays in order to try and match up with our personnel.  We could just run a bunch of quick passes, maybe even screens.  Stuff that will make those guys have to run around 7 or 8 or 9 plays in a row.

If done correctly a no huddle attack will make those guys wilt in the fourth quarter and we are definitely going to need all the help and advantages we can get.

Fractured

Quarterback Josh Freeman felt the pain in his thumb and figured something was wrong.

X-rays revealed Freeman fractured the tip of his thumb and he will not play the remainder of the preseason. However, the team said he is expected to practice and be ready for the season opener against the Cleveland Browns Sept. 12.

“I was hoping it was just jammed,’’ Freeman said, his thumb immobilized with a splint and heavily bandaged. “But it was a little different pain than just being jammed. When I saw the x-ray, they said there was a little fracture. When I heard that and saw the x-ray, I was kind of freaking out. They said, “Hey, just take care of it and it’ll be a couple weeks.’ When I heard that, it made me feel a lot better.’’

While the prognosis appears optimistic, coach Raheem Morris admitted he wasn’t exactly sure when Freeman would be cleared to resume practicing.

"How big of a setback? It’s a team setback obviously when you lose your first quarterback,’’ Morris said. “We’re lucky. It’s an injury we expect him back the first week of the season. That’s very fortunate. It could be worse.

Rick Stroud

I'm sure there will be quite a bit of pearl clutching over Josh Freeman's fractured thumb from Buccaneer fans and I can't say that I blame them. All off season we were basically told that the season would rise and fall on his shoulders. Its dangerous to put so much stock into any one player, especially a guy heading into just his second year. But that's the way the Buccaneers brass want to handle it so now they will have to deal with the perception that this injury may be at least an early season killer.

Here is the way I see it however. Josh Freeman has had plenty of reps through the OTAs, mini-camps and training camp. To me his biggest step forward this year would have to come between the ears rather than with his arm. Yes he had to be more accurate, but more importantly he had to make better decisions with where to throw the ball in the first place. I think from the reports I have read, the practice I went to, and the preseason game I have seen so far he has taken tremendous strides when it comes to making the right reads, even if his passes have at times been erratic.

So the most important thing right now is for him to get that thumb healthy. Anybody who has ever thrown a football knows how important your thumb is when it comes to accuracy. And the last thing any of us should want is for Freeman to come back too soon and re injure it or make it an injury that lasts all season. Much better for him to keep on taking mental reps and work on getting healthy for the first real game. I doubt he will forget how to throw a football in the next two or three weeks and when it comes down to it I'd rather him look a little rusty throwing to the right guys against Cleveland than see him throwing ducks all over the field because he was rushed back.

In the meantime Josh Johnson will get the opportunity to show everyone what we really have in him as a back up and life will go on. There is no reason to panic until the real bullets start flying just as there was no reason to start talking playoffs. Its football, injuries happen and you just have to deal with them. I personally feel like in the grand scheme of things if his thumb is really healed by the first game this won't hurt Freeman much if at all. He has already done most of the work over the last 7 months anyway, two or three weeks won't make that much difference either way.

So take a deep breath, unclench your jaw, and just enjoy the rest of the preseason. Whatever we were going to be before this injury, we will probably be the same after it.

Still Carrying Their Water

Looks like another "anonymous source" over at One Buc has decided to kick Antonio Bryant one more time on the way out the door.

• Sources say the Buccaneers' strategy for grooming QB Josh Freeman was part of the reason the team chose not to be more aggressive in its efforts to re-sign unrestricted free-agent WR Antonio Bryant, who signed with the Bengals March 10. Tampa Bay was concerned that Bryant might put pressure on Freeman and demand the ball be thrown to him, which is not an environment the team is seeking to create for its young quarterback.

Really?

So we are up to something like what, 5 difference excuses now as to why the Buccaneers didn't resign AB? And why the incessant need to knock a guy who isn't even here anymore?

You know what I'm getting from all this? That although countless Bucs officials have played up Josh Freeman's poise, they REALLY think he's either such a delicate flower or such a mental midget that just the thought that his best receiver might actually demand the ball would destroy his confidence all together.

Now I don't know if that's what they really believe over at One Buc and I certainly don't have that opinion of Freeman, but what the hell else am I supposed to think when all of these bullshit quotes keep coming out trying to justify why they didn't spend the money to keep Bryant here? Not much more money in fact than they gave Michael Clayton for a helluva lot less production.

And I mean the notion that a wide receiver is a diva or unfit to pay on our team just because they want the ball? That's about the dumbest thing I have heard in all my years in and around football and that's saying something.

You know who we probably would have also allowed to leave as a free agent if that's the case?

Jerry Rice

DESPITE HIS complaints about not getting the ball enough, Jerry Rice not only is tied for fourth in the NFL in receptions but, according to Niners statistics, is also the most frequent target of San Francisco passes.

Not every receiver that complains about not getting enough balls thrown their way is Keyshawn or T.O. In fact, as I have said before, I WANT my number one receiver to demand the ball. Hell if he doesn't want the ball, what good is he? Receiver is the one position on the whole football team where their value and success is dependent on another player in such a major way. If a receiver has a quarterback that either can not or will not get them the ball then there aren't many ways for them to help the team win. So if there is a receiver happy with not getting the ball then basically they are saying that they don't believe in their own abilities and they are happy with just collecting a check every week.

While we are on the subject, lets take a look at some of the things Antonio Bryant DIDN'T do last year that perhaps he could have.

1. He DIDN'T sell Coach Morris out and question his coaching ability. With the atmosphere the way it was around here at the end of the season it would have been low hanging fruit for Bryant to pile on in an attempt to get Coach Morris fired. Hell most fans would have probably loved the guy for it. But instead his comments were generally supportive of this regime.

2. He DIDN'T call out his teammates, several of which make for very easy targets. You don't think he was disgusted when they gave Michael Clayton a long term deal but refused to give him one? But did he throw Clayton under the bus even one single time this year? Not that any of us heard of.

3. He DIDN'T ask to go on IR after the season started with such chaos. The truth is had he not played this season on his bad knee he probably would have had a higher value in free agency. But while some folks are trying to call him a quitter without having the courage to put their name on it, the truth is the guy fought through the pain and played almost the whole season.

4. Last but not least, he DIDN'T rain on the Josh Freeman love fest even though he had plenty of ammunition had he wanted to do so. He could have talked about all the missed read Freeman had during the season, and believe me there were plenty. He could have talked about how Freeman's fumble problems cost us a couple of games. He could have talked about the decision not to resign Jeff Garcia even though he had a great rapport with him. Instead once again he kept his mouth shut for the most part.

I really can't understand why the Bucs continue to go down this path of criticizing Bryant anonymously even though he is now a Cincinnati Bengal. It not only does nothing to help our team, its also very classless. But as much disdain as this whole ordeal has filled me with towards the Bucs, I have to say that I have sports journalists in my cross hairs as well.

Why exactly were these "sources" granted anonymity for this information about Antonio Bryant? There isn't a legal issue involved, they weren't saying anything truly confidential (obviously) so why then would a sports journalist agree to allow them to say whatever the hell they wanted to about AB without having to sign their name to it?

I wonder if that same journalist would grant Bryant anonymity if he wanted to rip the whole Buccaneer staff. Some how I doubt it but really I wouldn't want him to do that either. Rather, I would want him to treat Bryant AND the unnamed Buccaneers official both if they wanted to rip each other. Is that too much to ask that if someone wants to throw a player or a coach or a GM under the bus that they have to sign their name to it?

Evidently in this day and times it is. And that ladies and gentlemen is a very sad thing...

This Will Not End Well

Just got this tweet from TBO.

Anwar: Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris has just announced quarterback Josh Freeman will take over as the team’s starter.

I am not sure I will be able to watch the games from now on. I hope that Freeman comes in and sets the world on fire but I just know how incredibly unlikely that is. And I also realize what that will mean for the coaching staff and perhaps the managment as well.

Go Bucs?

Update: Further proof that we are living in bizarro NFL world, the Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox announced today that the only person who can consistently beat his team, his own quarterback Jake Delhomme, will still be starting for him.

Seriously.

Josh Johnson Is Your New Starting Quarterback

The Bucs pulled the trigger today and replaced starting quarterback Byron Leftwich with second year pro Josh Johnson. Although Leftwich put up decent numbers in the first two games I don't think this move is that much of a surprise to anybody who was paying attention. If you have been reading this blog for any amount of time you know that I questioned the Bucs naming Leftwich the starter over Luke McCown in the first place. The same factor that I pointed to then is the same reason the Bucs are pointing to now in making the change, Leftwich's lack of mobility. The NFL just isn't a league where you can have a statue at quarterback anymore. By making this move this early in the season its almost a tacit acknowledgement that they picked the wrong guy.

But here is the deal, by giving Josh Johnson the opportunity to start the Bucs might end up putting themselves in a very tough position.

See I am a fan of Johnson's. I am not ready to annoint the kid a Pro Bowler or anything, but I do think he is extremely talented and had he gone to a bigger school would have been an early round selection. His stats in college were absolutely gaudy, 113 touchdown passes and over 11,500 yards of total offense for his career. He has a big time arm as he showed yesterday and he can make all the throws. But on top of that this guy is fast and lightning quick. The Bucs have a pretty good offensive line as it is, but if the pocket breaks down he can make big things happen with his feet. And maybe best of all, he makes quick decisions with the ball in his hands.

So after saying all these nice things about Johnson you might be wondering what's the problem, well the Bucs almost need for Johnson to only be average at best. The reason for that is because the Bucs drafted they guy who they describe as their quarterback of the future, Josh Freeman, in the first round this year. It will be mighty inconvenient for them should Johnson get in there and set the world on fire. And honestly I am not so sure he won't.

You see we have a lot of talent on offense whether people realize it or not. Aside from Sean Mahan our offensive line is outstanding and so are our running backs. Also Antonio Bryant, our best and most explosive receiver, is finally getting back healthy after a knee injury in the preseason. He along with Michael Clayton give us a very athletic tandem and if yesterday is any indication Johnson already has a pretty good rapport with one of the back up wide receivers, Sammie Stroughter. And you can't forget about our tight ends, especially now that Kellen Winslow Jr seems to be getting open with a lot more frequency.

Josh Johnson has been named quarterback at a time when he will have a lot of talent around him and when we have the inept Redskins up next on the schedule. If Johnson can have a good game and lead us to a victory or at least keep it close then he has a good shot at keeping the starting job at least until the off week. That means he will have the opportunity to play against the Eagles, the Panthers, and the Patriots.

Now just imagine for a moment that Johnson plays well over the next four games. How hard will it be for the Bucs to justify pulling him if he is putting us in a position to win? As a second year player he could be really good for a really long time, but what happens with the first round pick? Will the Bucs really be able to resist calls to put Freeman in considering the amount of money they invested in him this year? We already know that Head Coach Raheem Morris keeps referring to Johnson as his long term backup quarterback ala "Jason Garrett", but what if Johnson himself has other ideas?

The problem of course is that if Johnson is playing well and gets yanked in favor of Freeman who then goes out and stinks up the joint then it will be seen, probably rightly so, as the coaching staff and ownership giving up on this season. How many people are going to line up to pay good money to come out and see a team that has no chance to win? How many people are going to support a team that is $30 million under the salary cap but won't invest in any new talent? If Josh Johnson plays the way I think he is capable of playing he could affect a lot about what the Bucs are going to do for the future.

Now this will all be a moot point if Johnson ends up laying an egg, but I just have a feeling in my gut that he won't. This kids seems to exude that "it" factor that nobody can quantify but you know it when you see it. I don't know if his play will translate in to wins for us, he can't play defense too after all, but I do think you are going to see a different kind of swagger from out offense with him in the game. I for one am excited after being pretty negative after the game yesterday. I didn't really think there would be much of a reason to be hopeful for this season after that debacle yesterday but now I am willing to keep an open mind and give the Bucs the benefit of the doubt. I don't know how far Johnson can lead us but I am willing to tune in to find out. My advice to you would be to find a way to get over the first three games and do the same.

Breaking News: Josh Johnson New Starter For The Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced that they are benching Byron Leftwich in favor of second year player, Josh Johnson. I will have a LOT more to say about this in a bit...

Luke McCown Has Been Traded, All Is Lost

Ok its not THAT much of a surprise that the Bucs decided to trade Luke McCown. I mean it was always kind of a smoke screen that the would carry 4 QBs on the roster. Especially knowing they were carrying 4 tailbacks as well. But still, even though I hate to sound like Mr. Doom and Gloom, the truth is I can't see this ending well. I don't think any of us can remember the last time Byron Leftwich made it through a whole season of starting healthy, and if the reigns are turned over to rookie Josh Freeman, you can pretty much kiss this season goodbye. And that's not even talking about the damage that might be done to the kid's career going forward. Having a rookie as your number 2 might work if you have Tom Brady as your starter, but in any other situation its usually a sign of desperation. That's not hate, that's just real.

Leftwich It Is

Jay Glazer is reporting that the Bucs have selected Byron Leftwich to be the starting Quarterback for this year's team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris informed his team this morning that Byron Leftwich beat out Luke McCown for the starting quarterback job, FOXSports.com has learned.

Play FOX Fantasy Football for Free!The move does not come as a surprise as Leftwich had been the odds-on favorite.

However after early performances by Leftwich, 29, and fellow veteran Luke McCown, Morris decided to wait one more preseason game for one of the quarterbacks to clearly take the job or clearly stumble.

If you have been following any of my posts on the subject its probably apparent that I disagree with this decision. It is not that I don't believe that Leftwich is a good quarterback. In fact I think he has one of the biggest arms in the league. But just in terms of philosphy, I do not believe you can win with an immobile quarterback in the NFL anymore. If you look around the league right now how many true pocket passers are starters? Id give you maybe 5 guys out of 32 who could possibly be as slow as Leftwich. And out of those 5 every single guy has a wicked quick delivery. Lefwich, on the other hand, compounds his lack of foot speed with a big, slow windup of a delivery on his throws.

Now when he has time and there is a deep route open fans are going to love Leftwich. However, starting with the first game and Demarcus Ware coming in here, when the opposition has a great pass rush it is not going to be a good look.

The question that remains is if they will keep Luke McCown on as a number two or if they jettison him and elevate heir apparent to the position, rookie first round pick Josh Freeman, to the role of back up. This is going to be a huge decision because I can't remember the last time Leftwich went through a full season without missing sometime due to injury. And as much as I don't agree with the decision of Leftwich to be the starter, you can cancel Christmas if Freeman has to start any games this year. It is what it is.