With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers inevitable benching of fifth year quarterback Josh Freeman, speculation has begun on his arrival to the trading block.
It doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering head coach Greg Schiano’s ever-growing frustration with the young Pro Bowler.
This has been looming since Freeman’s poor play during the preseason and having the captaincy stripped from him. Many analysts have called this benching the worst kept secret in the NFL.
Since the start of the 2013 season, Freeman has completed only 43 of his 94 attempts (45.7 percent) with only two touchdowns and three interceptions.
His horrible 59.3 passer rating places Freeman 31st among starting quarterbacks, ahead of only Blaine Gabbert.
Also on 28 percent of his pass attempts this season, Freeman has also over- or underthrown a pass for an incompletion, ranking worst in the NFL.
A few names that come to mind with the stats provided above are Mark Sanchez, Jamarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf. We all know that no quarterback would like to be categorised with any of the three.
During the off-season, quite a few teams inquired about a possible trade for Freeman, however the Bucs favoured him over what they were offered.
Now, they don’t even have the upper hand on an expiring contract. Not to mention that teams that are a fit for Freeman have their quarterback already.
The biggest problem isn’t even the scheme fit, rather his reputation.
Schiano is known as a stubborn coach ruling his team with an iron fist. Freeman and Schiano publicly do not get along.
Between the contract disputes, non-endorsements, and the previously mentioned stripping of captaincy, both have built up horrible reputations.
Now it looks as if Schiano is trying to keep his job like Andy Reid did last year with the Philadelphia Eagles: blame the starting quarterback (Michael Vick) during a slump.
However, unlike Vick, Freeman hasn’t proven himself enough to be given a second chance so quickly. So who would want to trade for a whiny, inconsistent, contract year quarterback?
There are three teams that come straight to mind that need an upgrade at the quarterback position: the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Minnesota Vikings.
Both the Jags and Browns have already announced they will not be entertaining Tampa with trade offers for Freeman, leaving only Minnesota on that list.
With Christian Ponder’s rib injury, along with his poor play (and a little slip to the media from Tom Brady), Matt Cassel is poised to start in his first regular season game since his departure from Kansas City.
If Cassel doesn’t perform, the Vikings could be running to the phones before it’s too late.
The Raiders, Bears, and Jets have a need for a backup quarterback and may also be in the market for Freeman
As for the Bucs, they have decided rookie backup Mike Glennon will be promoted to the starting quarterback position based on performance, as stated in Schiano’s press conference.
However, the Bucs must know this is not a long-term option for them.
The third rounder did not play much better than Freeman in the preseason. Glennon had a completion percentage below 50 percent in the preseason with a QBR of 61.4 to go with it.
If this season is to be salvaged, Tampa Bay better be shopping for a relieving quarterback.
Then again, there’s always the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes.
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