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Dolphins likely to keep pressure on Bucs' Freeman

Staff photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Bucs rookie QB Josh Freeman is likely to be on the run Sunday against the Dolphins.

By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: November 12, 2009

Updated: 11/12/2009 07:00 am

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TAMPA - A tape breakdown of the Bucs' victory against the Packers revealed that Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers took it rather easy on Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Josh Freeman last Sunday.

Capers dialed up pass rushes using five or more defenders just 11 times in his team's 38-28 loss, and only five of those blitzes produced any kind of sustained pressure. No one expects Miami coordinator Paul Pasqualoni to go that easy on Freeman this Sunday.

Though he is aware of Freeman's ability to ignore a rush and deliver the ball downfield, Pasqualoni is expected to test Freeman's poise a lot more than Green Bay did.

"We feel like we have a pretty good idea of what it is they're going to do, and we do expect them to pressure us a little more than Green Bay did," Freeman said of the Dolphins' attack.

"We have to expect some decent pressure this time," center Jeff Faine said. "They have a couple of very good young cornerbacks, and I don't think they're going to hesitate to put them out there on an island all by themselves."

Not when facing a rookie quarterback making his second start. Testing such a youngster's ability to read and react to a heavy blitz package is pretty much the norm in the NFL.

For example, former Bucs starter Bruce Gradkowski faced an enhanced blitz package when he made his second pro start against Cincinnati in 2006. The results were not impressive.

Though the Bucs won that game 14-13, Gradkowski's completion percentage fell from 64.5 in his first start to 56.8, and his passer rating slipped from an impressive 107.6 to a less than mediocre 73.5.

"That's what happens," Bucs receiver Michael Clayton. "You get a young quarterback and defenses make a point of blitzing him, of bringing a lot of pressure against him.

"They don't want to allow him to go through his progressions, and so we're definitely going to have to prepare for that and know that they're going to bring a lot of pressure."

Blitz preparation is a regular part of every team's weekly work schedule. The fact that the Bucs expect more blitzes from the Dolphins this week doesn't mean it will be a bigger part of their work schedule this week.

"We probably overplan for pressure anyway," Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. "What you want to do is get him to the point where he feels comfortable with the protections and knowing who his hot reads are."

Hot reads refers to the quick throws a quarterback has to make in the face of a blitz. That part will definitely fall to Freeman. The protection aspect is a responsibility Freeman will share with Faine.

The Bucs leaned on Faine to make most of the protection calls during Freeman's first start last week, and their plan is to stick with that approach.

That should help the Bucs in their quest to recognize and pick up the Dolphins' blitzes, which often feature linebackers Joey Porter and Cameron Wake and have resulted in 21 sacks this season.

"Everybody's locked in and loaded," Clayton said. "The line and the backs have been playing well, so we should be able to pick up any blitz look they give us this week."

Freeman's locked and loaded, too. He says he has been getting plenty of advice on how to handle this start. As usual, backup quarterback Byron Leftwich has offered some of the most sage advice.

"People are going to throw the kitchen sink at him now," Leftwich said, "but he's got to approach it like, go ahead, bring it, because that's when I'm going to hurt you."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

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