Bad News For
Buc Fans
BY CLARENCE BARR, II
If you’re a die-hard Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan who’s extremely sensitive about your team, you may not want to continue reading this because what I’m about to say could ruin the next six months for you. That is because, from what I’ve seen this NFL pre-season from quarterback Josh Freeman, all hope that this team will come anywhere near a winning record is truly lost.
It really pains me to write this being that a good friend and I debated forever about the talent of Freeman a few years back. While I was a staunch supporter of Freeman and argued the merit of his potential, from day one my friend always stood by his initial assessment that Freeman was, in his words, “a bum.”
Of course I never agreed with him. I held out faith in the young, Mohawk wearing, big smiling, kid from KansasState. But from about midway through last season up until Freeman’s horrible performance Saturday night against the Miami Dolphins, as much as I hate to admit it, I came to the conclusion that my friend may have been right.
Even with all of his size and arm strength, if nothing changes drastically, Josh Freeman is on his way to becoming the biggest bust in franchise history; right up there with Trent Dilfer and Anthony “Booger” McFarland.
The saddest part is that the Bucs finally have the kind of offensive weaponry at almost every position to operate like a finely tuned Bugatti. But, not only is Freeman incapable of working the shifter, he can’t seem to find the ignition.
I should have known something wasn’t right when I saw him in ESPN magazine posing like Michael Jackson earlier this year. It probably wouldn’t have been so bad if the photo shoot came after a few playoff victories. But, when he’s averaging four interceptions a game, imitating the “moonwalker” should have been the last thing on his mind.
Personally, I don’t think Freeman has done enough to retain his job as a starter. I know that the only other valid option is rookie Mike Glennon. But with the way Freeman has been playing, the honest question has to be, “can it get any worse?”
At this point moving along with Freeman may threaten team chemistry. And once that falls off it’s hard to regain.
I am quite sure there are people out there reading this who will stick behind Freeman simply because he’s Black. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them.
While it’s cool to have a brother under center for the home team, if he turns into trash, I don’t have a problem with him being tossed into a can like anyone else. And, right now, I’m taking off the lid.
For the first time in my life, for fans like myself, I really hope I’m wrong. But something tells me that, with Josh Freeman at the helm, having Buc games blacked out again might not be such a bad thing.
Anyone wanting to contact Clarence Barr can reach him at: Clarence Barr, II, 43110-018; P. O. Box 7007; Marianna, FL 32447-7007. Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bulletin Publishing Company.
