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Bucs name rookie Freeman as starting quarterback

The Associated Press

Josh Freeman (5) got his first playing time of the regular season in the fourth quarter against New England on Sunday.

By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2009

Updated: 10/28/2009 02:58 pm

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TAMPA - The Josh Freeman era has begun.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris announced Wednesday that the rookie will take over as the team's starting quarterback.

Morris started this season with Byron Leftwich as his starter. He believed Leftwich gave Tampa Bay its best chance of competing in 2009, but Morris went to Plan B after the team's 0-3 start.

That was Josh Johnson, the second-year pro whom Morris had previously dubbed a "career backup." Morris hoped Johnson could salvage the season, but after losing four more games in which Johnson had eight interceptions and four touchdown passes, Morris decided it was time to turn to Tampa Bay's first-round pick.

"No discredit to what Josh Johnson has done for this football team. He went out there and gave his best efforts," Morris said. "Due to the preparation, the timing, (it's time to) implement a young man into our organization, our town, our community."

The Bucs (0-7) have a bye this week, so Freeman's first game as the starter will be Nov. 8, in the "throwback game" at home against the Green Bay Packers.

"We think it's best coming off the bye, (he has) the most time to prepare," Morris said. "It's time to see a little Josh Freeman."

The first-year head coach doesn't think the Bucs are rushing Freeman into action. Freeman, who signed a five-year deal for $36 million with $10.245 million guaranteed, has earned the trust of Morris with his work ethic.

"He's been ready to go for a while. He's been waiting for his opportunity patiently, but he's used his time wisely," Morris said, adding that Freeman has put in a lot of time with offensive coordinator Greg Olson. "He's been coming here early in the morning and staying in the evening working with Coach Olson, getting extra meeting time. Now it's time for him to come and join his team and lead us."

Freeman displayed his typical tranquil demeanor when speaking about the move.

"It was definitely one of those things where I don't feel comfortable sitting on the sidelines," Freeman said. "I'm in my element when I'm out on the field. Also, I had to look at it like it's an opportunity to sit back and learn a lot of things. Working with Coach Olson, I definitely feel like I've learned a lot and I feel a lot more comfortable in this offense."

Freeman replaced Johnson late in the Bucs' 35-7 loss to the New England Patriots last week at London's Wembley Stadium. He completed two of four passes for 16 yards and was sacked twice.

Morris said the Bucs would not simplify the playbook for the rookie.

"You don't scale back," Morris said. "You do what you've been doing, you get better at what you've been doing, you add on what you need to add on for the game weeks, you prepare for the change, you let him see the adjustments, you let him go through the adjustments mentally, and now it's time for him to go play physically. Here we go."

Johnson will move into the backup spot, with Leftwich remaining third on the depth chart.

Freeman, taken with the 19th pick in the first round, was the third quarterback taken in the 2009 draft, behind Detroit's Matthew Stafford (first overall) and the New York Jets' Mark Sanchez (fifth). Both Stafford and Sanchez were opening-day starters.

"There are some growing pains, obviously, but he is going to grow with every snap. We know that," Olson said. "Anytime you are playing with a young quarterback and look at the other young quarterbacks throughout the league, there are growing pains. With all young quarterbacks, I think there is a learning curve that they need to get to speed on.

"We're comfortable with Josh (Freeman) right now. We know again that he is the future of the franchise. He is excited, and we're excited."

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