Josh Freeman has not exactly been a favorite player of the media. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback has found himself the center of conversation with numerous critics after his roller coaster five years in the league. As the quarterback enters a crucial contract season, many of his teammates are sticking up for the talent Freeman brings to the field.
Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is ripping on the media for their constant bashing of Freeman. That's his quarterback, that's his teammate. He is tired of hearing people question the quarterback's talent and leadership and is sick of the constant wondering of whether or not he will be benched in favor of rookie Mike Glennon.
"I think the reason I'm so sensitive about [the Freeman bashing] is because I got it for two years," McCoy said, via JoeBucsFan.com. "They talked bad about me for two years. So, it's like, I don't take to well to it when they talk about my teammates. He had a real good year. People give him so much scrutiny. I'm like, 'Man, you all got to relax. Like, calm down, man.' They just, I think he gets treated unfairly a lot. Like I said, to me, it's a sensitive area because, you know, I got it for two years. Actually still get it."
McCoy was questioned, but not as bad as Freeman has been. The moment Tampa Bay opted not to give Freeman an extension in the offseason and draft a rookie quarterback instead, Freeman has been playing a losing game.
The most recent criticism comes from Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton who claimed Freeman has failed so far in proving that he can play quarterback at the next level. The former quarterback believes Glennon deserves a chance to start this season and show he is better.
Failed is a pretty harsh word to use for Freeman. While he has not led the Buccaneers to postseason success, he certainly has not failed. This is the same quarterback that set franchise records in passing and touchdowns. Last season he threw for 4,065 yards and 27 touchdowns. This issue with Freeman is this turnover ratio. Last year he threw 17 interceptions. In 2012, he threw 22.
Freeman is not paying any attention to what the media or former players are saying about him. The quarterback is simply focused on 2013 and being the best player on the field.
"If I just give it the best I've got regardless...if I give it the best I've got and the Buccaneers say, 'Ah, we don't think he can play for us,' at the end of the year and every other team in the NFL does and I end up wherever I end up doing whatever, I'll be content because I'll know I gave it the best I had," Freeman said.
