The Tampa Bay Buccaneers season has been quite the roller coaster ride. If you’re a Bucs fan its one of those rides that just makes you puke no matter what. From the outbreak of MRSA in the locker room during the preseason to the removal of the captain’s “C” on “franchise quarterback” Josh Freeman’s jersey to his eventual benching for rookie Mike Glennon. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget the dismal 0-4 start to the season.
Freeman was benched in favor of Mike Glennon in Week 4 which came as little surprise after the Bucs had stripped Freeman of his captaincy before the season opener. Many have questioned this call since Freeman is only 25-years old and was a former 1st round draft pick. Perhaps his performance wasn’t the only reason that Glennon is starting.
According to Chris Mortensen, Freeman is in stage one of the NFL’s drug program. Though, this can be a variety of substances, Freeman argues that he has a prescription for Adderall to treat his ADHD. While this may be true, in 2012, Freeman had a hot test that revealed Ritalin in his system, a substance similar to Adderall.
Since being benched, Freeman has requested to be released and General Manager Mark Dominik has called numerous teams to attempt to trade the former starter. The only issue with trading Freeman, especially five weeks into the season is that he is still owed $6 million and would cost a team a draft pick as well.
There is probably more to the story and we are hoping more is revealed in the upcoming days. We will report on any information as it becomes available.
Follow @TheNFLInjuryRpt
Freeman was benched in favor of Mike Glennon in Week 4 which came as little surprise after the Bucs had stripped Freeman of his captaincy before the season opener. Many have questioned this call since Freeman is only 25-years old and was a former 1st round draft pick. Perhaps his performance wasn’t the only reason that Glennon is starting.
According to Chris Mortensen, Freeman is in stage one of the NFL’s drug program. Though, this can be a variety of substances, Freeman argues that he has a prescription for Adderall to treat his ADHD. While this may be true, in 2012, Freeman had a hot test that revealed Ritalin in his system, a substance similar to Adderall.
"... [T]o assure everyone that the error was a one-time mistake, I agreed to be voluntarily tested in the 'NFL Program,' " Freeman said in the statement.
"Since that time, I have taken and passed all 46 drug tests I've been given, which test for every drug and banned substance imaginable," Freeman said. "I agreed to allow such testing to be done at my workplace [team facility] because I spend all of my time there and I have nothing whatsoever to hide or be embarrassed about."
"Unfortunately, it appears that some people who may have noticed the testing at my workplace have made hurtful and incorrect assumptions and chosen to disseminate inaccurate and very disturbing information," Freeman said.
Since being benched, Freeman has requested to be released and General Manager Mark Dominik has called numerous teams to attempt to trade the former starter. The only issue with trading Freeman, especially five weeks into the season is that he is still owed $6 million and would cost a team a draft pick as well.
There is probably more to the story and we are hoping more is revealed in the upcoming days. We will report on any information as it becomes available.
Follow @TheNFLInjuryRpt
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