FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 10/28/2009 7:24pm et

PewterReport.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, that rookie QB Josh Freeman is the team's starting quarterback. He will make the first start of his career against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. QB Josh Johnson will be the backup, with QB Byron Leftwich serving as the third quarterback on the depth chart.

The Huddle Take: Welcome to the nightmare rook. Don't expect much more out of the very raw Freeman then you were getting out of Johnson. In fact, expect less.

Posted: 8/11/2009 6:08pm et

PewterReport.com reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said QB Josh Freeman is still in the hunt for the starting quarterback job.

The Huddle Take: It looks like a battle between Freeman and Luke McCown for the starting slot. And Luke McCown won't put any butts in seats for Buccaneer home games. Don't be surprised if the exciting rookie gets the nod for Week 1.

Posted: 8/3/2009 12:42pm et

Ira Kaufman, of The Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman struggled during the team's practice Sunday, Aug. 2. Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson said, "He took a step backwards and he turned the ball over. I think he had three interceptions today, which is unacceptable. Josh understands that. He'll learn from that and he'll get better."

The Huddle Take: Turnovers were one of the knocks on Freeman coming out of college, but he's pretty early in the learning process. However, if he wants to be the Bucs' starter this year he'll have to expedite that process, and soon.

Posted: 7/31/2009 10:45am et

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reached a five-year deal with rookie QB Josh Freeman, the team's first-round draft choice. The deal is worth $36 million, including $10.245 million in guarantees.

The Huddle Take: With Freeman in camp in a timely fashion he could contend for the starting gig. He already has head coach Raheem Morris as a backer, and with Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown, and Josh Johnson as competition the Bucs may opt for a "future is now" philosophy.

Posted: 5/4/2009 3:02am et

PewterReport.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris was pleased with rookie QB Josh Freeman's first minicamp. Morris said, "Big Five started off good. His arm was nice and live. He was throwing it great. The second day he came back he was a little tired. Today he came back with a live arm. The progression in terms of learning happened well for him. Then he went back and started pressing a little. You see all those things from a quarterback, but we're very excited. To see some of the throws he made this weekend it can't help but light you up."

The Huddle Take: Read between the lines and you get a pretty solid indication that Morris has a vested interest in his first draft pick as head coach getting on the field sooner rather than later.

Posted: 4/27/2009 11:29am et

PewterReport.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said QB Josh Freeman will have a shot at the starting job entering camp even with four other quarterbacks on the Buccaneers roster. "I'm creating a competitive attitude and competitive environment. I've got some quarterbacks on this roster that are pretty talented and can play. This guy coming in is the franchise guy and the long-term answer. No doubt about it. If he forces his will on the opponent and becomes the best quarterback there is a chance you will see him play," said Morris regarding Freeman.

The Huddle Take: While Freeman certainly has the physical attributes to be a successful pro quarterback at some point, it's difficult to see a player who wasn't even among the top five most productive quarterbacks in his own conference to move immediately into an NFL starting lineup and be effective.

Posted: 4/25/2009 11:06pm et

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Kansas State QB Josh Freeman with the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

The Huddle Take: Guess it wasn't Jon Gruden who collects quarterbacks; it's a Tampa Bay thing. The talented Freeman has NFL size and an NFL arm; with Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown in Tampa he should also have the luxury of spending a year or two on clipboard duty while refining his game before being asked to be a franchise quarterback.

Posted: 2/21/2009 11:21pm et

Kansas City QB Josh Freeman said during his NFL Scouting Combine interview that he will do all of the throwing drills during the combine.

The Huddle Take: Freeman is looking to slip into the first round, but his size alone won't get him there; he'll need to impress with his throwing at the Combine in order to do so.