The long and entertaining story of Josh Freeman is moving to Minnesota, after the disgraced quarterback struck a one-year deal worth three million dollars with the Vikings.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Freeman with the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, after a stellar three-year career at Kansas State University.
Head coach Raheem Morris handed the 6'6" quarterback the starting job in 2010, after an impressive showing as a rookie. In his best season as a pro, Freeman led his team to a 10-6 record; throwing 22 touchdowns to six interceptions, and making his first Pro-Bowl. The one thing he failed to do was clinch a playoff berth, but the future was bright for what looked like a budding star.
However, Freeman was immensely ineffective in his third year at the helm. The Buccaneers slipped to 4-10 in 2011 and Raheem Morris was fired; eventually to be replaced by former Rutgers University head coach, Greg Schiano.
The new regime immediately went to work, adding talent and weapons around Freeman, whom they had dubbed their franchise QB. Pro-Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson, and All-Pro left guard Carl Nicks were signed in free agency and Freeman improved significantly. But alas, it was not enough and the Bucs once again fell short of the playoffs.
That’s when things began to sour.
Committed to building a winner, and not completely sold on Freeman, Schiano selected Mike Glennon, out of North Carolina State University, with the 73rd overall pick in the draft.
Rumors began to swirl of a troubled relationship between Freeman and his head coach, however, he remained the starting QB through training camp.
On September fifth, it was announced that Freeman had lost his captaincy for the first time in three years; this amid allegations he had slept through the Buccaneers official team photo.
Through all of the muck, Schiano remained firm that Freeman was the team’s starter. However, after two close losses to the Jets and Saints, and an embarrassing loss to the Patriots, it was announced that Freeman would be benched in favor of the rookie, Glennon.
The Bucs were unable to find a trade for Freeman, amid even more rumors that had surfaced about his drug-related issues. Though they would take a big financial hit, the team decided that it was in their best interest to cut ties with their troubled QB; effectively releasing him on October third.
Three days later, Freeman’s agent Tweeted that his client had signed with the Vikings. The details were quickly released by a number of sources.
Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier has stood firm by Christian Ponder as the team's starting QB, even after a great showing by Matt Cassel in week four against the Steelers. However, it has become apparent that the upper management seems to be comfortable with moving on from their 2011 first round draft pick, as he has proven to be much too inconsistent as a passer.
Personally, I believe that either Cassel, or Freeman, will be starting come week seven, and that Ponder’s days in Purple are numbered. Needless to say, this is sure to be an interesting few weeks in Minnesota, as the Josh Freeman circus continues.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Freeman with the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, after a stellar three-year career at Kansas State University.
Head coach Raheem Morris handed the 6'6" quarterback the starting job in 2010, after an impressive showing as a rookie. In his best season as a pro, Freeman led his team to a 10-6 record; throwing 22 touchdowns to six interceptions, and making his first Pro-Bowl. The one thing he failed to do was clinch a playoff berth, but the future was bright for what looked like a budding star.
However, Freeman was immensely ineffective in his third year at the helm. The Buccaneers slipped to 4-10 in 2011 and Raheem Morris was fired; eventually to be replaced by former Rutgers University head coach, Greg Schiano.
The new regime immediately went to work, adding talent and weapons around Freeman, whom they had dubbed their franchise QB. Pro-Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson, and All-Pro left guard Carl Nicks were signed in free agency and Freeman improved significantly. But alas, it was not enough and the Bucs once again fell short of the playoffs.
That’s when things began to sour.
Committed to building a winner, and not completely sold on Freeman, Schiano selected Mike Glennon, out of North Carolina State University, with the 73rd overall pick in the draft.
Rumors began to swirl of a troubled relationship between Freeman and his head coach, however, he remained the starting QB through training camp.
On September fifth, it was announced that Freeman had lost his captaincy for the first time in three years; this amid allegations he had slept through the Buccaneers official team photo.
Through all of the muck, Schiano remained firm that Freeman was the team’s starter. However, after two close losses to the Jets and Saints, and an embarrassing loss to the Patriots, it was announced that Freeman would be benched in favor of the rookie, Glennon.
The Bucs were unable to find a trade for Freeman, amid even more rumors that had surfaced about his drug-related issues. Though they would take a big financial hit, the team decided that it was in their best interest to cut ties with their troubled QB; effectively releasing him on October third.
Three days later, Freeman’s agent Tweeted that his client had signed with the Vikings. The details were quickly released by a number of sources.
Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier has stood firm by Christian Ponder as the team's starting QB, even after a great showing by Matt Cassel in week four against the Steelers. However, it has become apparent that the upper management seems to be comfortable with moving on from their 2011 first round draft pick, as he has proven to be much too inconsistent as a passer.
Personally, I believe that either Cassel, or Freeman, will be starting come week seven, and that Ponder’s days in Purple are numbered. Needless to say, this is sure to be an interesting few weeks in Minnesota, as the Josh Freeman circus continues.
So Freeman isn't expected to start this week. If Cassel wins again and plays well … won't he be difficult to bench? (big if.)Follow @TheNFLInjuryRpt
— gregg rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) October 7, 2013
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