Bucs lose as expected, get 1st glimpse of future.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 25, 2009 4:49 PM EDT

For those who were waiting for the Freeman watch, you got your first sighting. Rookie Josh Freeman was inserted into the game once the Patriots extended their lead to 4 Touchdowns. Freeman neither excelled nor disapointed; completing a nice pass to Brian Clark, and extending a play with his legs while also getting rid of the ball when pressured.

Josh Johnson on the other hand could not have started the day out any worse, converting a few plays into first downs, but staring down his receiver which resulted in a Pick 6. On the day he was 9 of 26 for 156 yards; 3 interceptions and one TD.

The Bucs defense did not really allow the Patriots to enjoy anything they didnt earn. Aqib Talib had another pick, and the defensive line applied some pressure at times with rookie Roy Miller in the game, but gave up 107 yards rushing along with 307 yards passing; somewhat moderate for New England. The line even pressured Brady into a few turnovers.

Special Teams continue to improve as a partial block was recorded, and several other Bucs came close to stopping some others.

In the end, the Buccaneers were not able to make enough plays, and the New England Patriots were.

The Buccaneers will fly home to Tampa and enjoy the week off as they resume playing in two weeks at home VS Green Bay. This will be the throwback game where Bucs fans will join in celebrating Lee Roy Selmon's induction into the new Tampa Bay Ring of Honor by wearing 1976 Orange uniforms, and perhaps a change in quarterbacks.

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At this point there should be no "perhaps".

Freeman was called up and should be starting for the rest of the year unless a injury. We have lacked consistency at the QB position, especially once we put JJ in, who had 3rd or 4th string QB reps all training camp. Even when he got the go ahead to start, it was reported that he shared starting reps with Freeman, which may very well have hindered his performances. Now that we’re going with Freeman they should stick with him from the ground up. Let him get his experience, let him build his connections with his line and receivers, and let him gain confidence.

To me J.J. seemed to always be playing with some kind of pressure even when he had time. We don’t need The Future looking the same.

by NewLogic on Oct 25, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

i hope Freeman doesn't

start a game this season, but if he does he should start every single game. Playing musical chairs w/ our QB really hurts the team.

by shadowchicken on Oct 25, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

Freeman should start

There is no pressure for the rest of this year. No expectations for a win. It may be a good time for him to start.

Throwback uniforms next game, LOL. This is a perfect year to drag those out of the mothballs.

Gary Williams for President!
Put Rose in the Hall of Fame

by terp12 on Oct 25, 2009 6:45 PM EDT reply actions

That being said

Talib get almost blown away twice on coverage by moss- the double moves hurt him a lot- thankfully there was a safety back deep and Brady overthrew him. That also being said:

FUTURE! Freeman is amazing.

T-Jack is back, J.J has went back to sucking, Bates won't blitz, Raheem's bored.

by 4QB on Oct 25, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Well Moss is arguably the best receiver in the league

With a lot of talent and experience to back it up. No matter what you do, he’ll get his open looks.

by NewLogic on Oct 25, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

eh...

At this point I’m just enjoying being fan. Win or lose. To JJ’s credit Sammie had an ‘option’ route on that pick 6. JJ thought he was gonna run an out and Sammie sat. Since JJ was pressured he just threw. [With experience he’d know to just throw it away when that happens.] That’s just what you get with a Rookie WR and a young QB not on the same page. Same would happen to Freeman. The second, not sure but it looked like Clayton couldve caught that [then again…look who we’re talkin about]. The 3rd was just hail mary throw.

In saying that, we are just young. It’ll happen when Freemans in too. OH WELL, can’t wait to see throw back game! have good bye week Bucs!

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 26, 2009 12:03 AM EDT reply actions

No your correct, we need to brace ourselves for what we may see out of freeman. Im going to do a piece in the next two weeks ...

..on QBs who start first games for the Bucs, and it wont be pretty. Only Shawn King did , … OK.

If anyone can get production out of Gaines Adams, it will be Rod Marinelli. Good Luck Gaines and thank you Bucs for restoring my confidence that there is accountability.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 26, 2009 5:49 AM EDT up reply actions