Bucs QB Freeman calls for better behavior off the field

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman expressed his disappointment with teammates on Wednesday, two days after the third arrest of a Bucs player within the past two months.

Asked about the locker room atmosphere as Tampa Bay (8-5) competes for a playoff spot, Freeman took the opportunity to discuss his dissatisfaction.

"We're ready to go get it," Freeman said. "We talk a lot about how we need to take care of business off-the-field as well. It doesn't speak well on the type of coach Raheem (Morris) is.

"Raheem is a great coach. Everybody has the utmost respect for Raheem and the talk really has been, 'We've got to stop ... getting in trouble off-the-field.' That's basically been the only wrinkle."

Linebacker Geno Hayes was arrested early Monday for trespassing and disorderly conduct after an altercation outside of Tampa's Blue Martini nightclub. Both are misdemeanors. The arresting officer used a stun gun on Hayes, but because Hayes' heavy clothing did not allow him to be shocked, the linebacker was tackled and taken into custody.

Previously, former tight end Jerramy Stevens was arrested Oct. 23 for possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of marijuana, both felonies, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. He was released a few days after the arrest.

Receiver Mike Williams was arrested Nov. 19 and charged with driving under the influence.

Tampa Bay's off-field issues began earlier this year.

Cornerback Aqib Talib was suspended for the first game of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, punishment stemming from an August 2009 arrest after an incident with a cab driver. Safety Tanard Jackson was suspended after a second violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy and is not eligible to apply for reinstatement until September.

Freeman disagreed when asked if Tampa Bay's conduct issues reflected poorly on Morris' leadership.

"I think some people can look at it that way, but honestly the circumstances under which the stuff has occurred, that's all on the player," Freeman said. "His job is to coach us and put us into positions to win football games and he's done just that. When we get done with football, Raheem, you can't expect him to go by everybody's house at a certain hour.

"It's the NFL. We have to take a higher level of responsibility on ourselves from college. As team captains, as leaders, I've been stressing that a lot lately."