Let's take an honest look back at last season after Rheem took over the defense and Freeman became the starter.
Week 9. We beat Greenbay 38-28 in one of the greatest games in recent memories. Freeman's 1st start, the creamsicle uni's, our first win of the season. It was great. Defense was good and Freeman threw for 205 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 Int.
Week 10. We had the Dolphins beat, but lost 23-25 because of that ridiculous call with Clayton and the "fumble" (
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2009111501/2009/REG10/buccaneers@dolphins#tab:watch ) and our defense just couldn't stop em when it counted. Freeman threw for 196 yards, 1 TD and 1 Int.
Week 11. We got pummeled by the Saints 38-7. Defense was horrible, we had no run game, and Freeman threw 1 TD, 3 Ints.
Week 12. We lost to the Falcons 17-20. Again the defense just couldn't do it's job against back up QB and RB, but Freeman had us in it. Virtually no run game, but Freeman threw for 250 yards, 2TDs and zero Ints.
Week 13. Freeman had his worst game ever against the panthers. Lost 6-16. He threw for 320 yards, but had 5 Ints all in the redzone. Defense played well, but even with no DeAngelo Williams the Panthers ran it down our throats. In fairness the defense was worn out from the constant turnovers.
Week 14. Totally outmatched by the Jets. Lost 3-26. Freeman had another horrible game. Threw for 93 yards and 3 Ints. The defense allowed Thomas Jones to run all over them and back up K. Clemons to be very effective. Not a good day.
Week 15. Freeman and the defense bounce back to dominate the Seahawks in Seatle and win 24-7. The defense picked Hasslebech off 4 times and ruled the day. Freeman threw for 205 yards, 2 TDs and one Int. Our running actually produced as well.
Week 16. Pulled out a huge upset win beating the Saints in the dome in OT 20-17. Freeman threw for 271 yards but had 2 Ints. Caddie had a huge day on the grounf though and our defense shut them out in the second half. Spurlocks kick return for a TD really capped off a great day where every aspect of the team contributed to win.
Week 17. Finally the last game of the season we fell pretty flat to the Falcons and lost 10-20. Not the way you wanna finish. Freeman threw for 172 yards a TD and 2 Ints. There was no run game once again and our defense was horrible.
So Freeman had two horrible games against the Panthers and Jets, Two poor games against the Saints and Falcons, and looked good to great in the other 5 games.
It's easy to look back at last season and just remember a horrible blur of yuck, but if you really look at the final nine games, you see it isn't as bad as many would think. I think losing an often injured AB and gaining two top rookie recievers is a wash. Our offense should be just as good and probably better than last year. It's all on Freeman really. The defense should be better. Everyone is experinced in Rheems scheme now, they are playing a scheme that fits them unlike Bates scheme, and even though they are rookies, you gotta believe Miller, Price, and McCoy will do a better job up front than Hovan and Sims did last year. Not to mention Myron Lewis is an upgrade over Mack at nickel and Sean Jones is an experienced vet that upgrades over Sabby.
It's gonna depend on the offensive line being able to block, and Freeman being able to step up. I'm confident in Freeman....not so much in the O-line.
