Josh Freeman has his work cut out for him as the Bucs' new QB

October 29, 8:31 AMTampa Bay Buccaneers ExaminerJ.J. Rodriguez

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QB Josh Freeman (5) will make his first career start on Nov. 8 against Green Bay

AP Photo/Stephan Savoia

The future is now.

I know it sounds rather Yogi Berra-ish, but that statement rings true today. The Bucs announced that rookie Josh Freeman will be the starting QB when they take the field against Green Bay on November 8. In a season that was doomed from the onset and filled with little expectation, Freeman's promotion to the top spot should give fans at least something to tune in for.

But now that Freeman has the keys to the franchise Ferrari, he should learn how to put the car into drive before worrying about putting a few donuts on Jon Gruden's front lawn. Just six months removed from being the 17th overall selection, Freeman will inherit an offense that is ranked 28th in both yards per game (272.3) and points per game (13.7). Suffice it to say, the last few quarterbacks that have occupied the drivers seat have stalled out--quite frequently.

Bucs fans have seen this scenario play out a few times over the past two decades. Hot shot first round pick, takes over a down and out team during a throw away season and doesn't change the outcomes very much. You see, the Bucs haven't had much success with this whole 'First round quarterback' thing in the past. Save for Doug Williams ('78, 17th overall) who guided the team to three playoff appearances before his riff with then-owner Hugh Culverhouse led to his departure, the Bucs have had rather unimpressive results with their other two first-round quarterbacks.

Vinny Testaverde was drafted 1st overall in 1987 and by the time his tenure in Tampa Bay was over, his stats were a microcosm of the Bucs' struggles: 14,820 yards, 79 TDs, 112 INTs. The team posted double-digit loss seasons in each of Vinny's five full seasons as starter.

Trent Dilfer was selected 6th overall in 1994 and started only twice his rookie season before taking over as the full-time starter for the '95 season. Over his five seasons as the starter, Dilfer threw for 12,536 yards, 69 TDs and 74 INTs. Trent's record as the Bucs starter was a modest 37-37, but his stint in Tampa was littered with inconsistency and the win-loss record is a little misleading considering how dominant the defense was for many of those victories.

Around here, we like our quarterbacks to be tough as nails, without all the glitz and glamour that is usually associated with them. Our QBs don't date pop princesses (though one married a Playmate) or appear on reality shows. They fly under the radar and have usually fallen off of the map a time or two by the time they've made their way here.

It used to be 'Give us Brad Johnson and 25 points' and we could check one in the win column. But the way the defense has been non-existent through seven games this season and I'm not sure how much better we'd be with Peyton Manning and 35 points right now.

That's the double-edged sword with being a first rounder, let alone a first round quarterback. When times are good and the team is winning, every restaurant has an open table and every bar has drinks on the house for you. But when things sour and you're no longer carrying the team, the fun ends and suddenly all of the glow that you had been basking in turns red hot and soon you're run out of town and replaced by the 'next big thing' (just ask Byron Leftwich).

Such is the story around here. Bucs fans have long desired to have a quarterback that leaves the rest of the league in envy. Instead what we've had are castoffs and journeymen, who have come with little expectation and leave with zero adoration.

So, this is the paradox that Freeman must somehow solve. How do you cure a team of quarterbackitis?

He can start by staying within his means and not overextending himself. If he hasn't already, Freeman will quickly learn that NFL defenses are nothing like college defenses. The windows are smaller, the defenders are bigger, quicker and stronger, and decisions have to be made sometimes before the ball is even snapped. His read and react skills will be tested early and often. His preparation will have to increase and perhaps most importantly, his understanding of the offense will have to continue to improve.  

Realistically, Freeman will likely struggle quite a bit. History is not on his side and that is something that all fans should understand. Heck, even Peyton Manning threw 28 INTs his first season. In other words, fall down six times, get up seven.

Short of relying solely on cheesy motivational techniques, Freeman should use Leftwich as much as possible. Byron has been down this road before and could offer the insight and tutelage the rookie needs as his career begins to take flight.

Given the aforementioned names of underachieving 1st round quarterbacks we've had and our predisposition to fully expect the worse in a situation like this, Bucs fans are in a position that the real suprise would be if Freeman does good, not if he fails miserably.

And perhaps that will make his transition into becoming a professional football player a little easier.

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