Should the Bucs sign QB Josh Freeman to long-term extension now?

[spartan]

Dave, i don't have that answer but i'm pretty confident that we can find mediocre anywhere.

Skip - bringing in mediocre to replace mediocre isn't moving forward.  IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT (something like Jason Campbell's contract) Freeman should be re-signed. 

And he isn't the only one on the team that is mediocre.  And we should remain curious to see how he might function with the starting O line in place.  The current group of backups can't keep the pocket clean in front of Freeman - and most qbs stink when faced with that condition.  I AM NOT SAYING Freeman is the answer - just that there is still information needed to decide what Freeman's final evaluation should be.  In the interim - if the bucs can extend him for a fair price - that is smart.

On what planet should Freeman accept Jason Campbell money after he finishes the season with 3,900 yards (team record), 30 TD's (team record) and 10 INT's? Campbell can't dream about that kind of production.

The planet where the look at game tape and not just stats?

[Feel Real Good]

Dave, i don't have that answer but i'm pretty confident that we can find mediocre anywhere.

Skip - bringing in mediocre to replace mediocre isn't moving forward.  IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT (something like Jason Campbell's contract) Freeman should be re-signed. 

And he isn't the only one on the team that is mediocre.  And we should remain curious to see how he might function with the starting O line in place.  The current group of backups can't keep the pocket clean in front of Freeman - and most qbs stink when faced with that condition.  I AM NOT SAYING Freeman is the answer - just that there is still information needed to decide what Freeman's final evaluation should be.  In the interim - if the bucs can extend him for a fair price - that is smart.

On what planet should Freeman accept Jason Campbell money after he finishes the season with 3,900 yards (team record), 30 TD's (team record) and 10 INT's? Campbell can't dream about that kind of production.

Similar money for similar outcomes if he wants the extension FRG.  If he doesn't want it that is his choice.  As the talk has evolved I have noted something in the 5 million a year range is affordable and allows the bucs to keep shopping should they conclude Freeman isn't going to be the guy.

I thought you weren't with us anymore, Hugh.

[VinBucFan]

You guys are smoking crack if you think Freeman is getting anything less than $10 million per year from someone? Chicago traded two 1st round picks for Jay Cutler after he went 25/18 his last season in Denver. They signed him to a 5-year $50 million contract. Freeman has already had two seasons better than that.

agree

[TheAman]

Freeman's TD and INT stats this season are comparable to Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers and Matt Ryan and better that some other "franchise" QBs. It's just that we all see the uneven game performance (reflected in a low completion percentage)

But you can't just look at TD/INT numbers.  As you said, his completion percentage isn't just bad, it's worse than Kevin Kolb.  Out of 34 qualifying QBs, he's 31st.

[QaZ]

Bringing in mediocre to replace mediocre is moving forward if you're not committing to mediocre long term.  You give Freeman a long-term contract, and you're committing to mediocre long-term.

Mediocre is way better than half of the QBs in the NFL. You move on from BAD long term, while Freeman does not keep us from being great long term, which he can still become, at worst he bridges the time until someone else is.

[The Anti-Java]

You guys are smoking crack if you think Freeman is getting anything less than $10 million per year from someone? Chicago traded two 1st round picks for Jay Cutler after he went 25/18 his last season in Denver. They signed him to a 5-year $50 million contract. Freeman has already had two seasons better than that.

Agree.  If the team low balls him, there will be plenty of teams loning up with their checkbooks.

[dbucfan]

Dave, i don't have that answer but i'm pretty confident that we can find mediocre anywhere.

Skip - bringing in mediocre to replace mediocre isn't moving forward.  IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT (something like Jason Campbell's contract) Freeman should be re-signed. 

And he isn't the only one on the team that is mediocre.  And we should remain curious to see how he might function with the starting O line in place.  The current group of backups can't keep the pocket clean in front of Freeman - and most qbs stink when faced with that condition.  I AM NOT SAYING Freeman is the answer - just that there is still information needed to decide what Freeman's final evaluation should be.  In the interim - if the bucs can extend him for a fair price - that is smart.

On what planet should Freeman accept Jason Campbell money after he finishes the season with 3,900 yards (team record), 30 TD's (team record) and 10 INT's? Campbell can't dream about that kind of production.

Similar money for similar outcomes if he wants the extension FRG.  If he doesn't want it that is his choice.  As the talk has evolved I have noted something in the 5 million a year range is affordable and allows the bucs to keep shopping should they conclude Freeman isn't going to be the guy.

I thought you weren't with us anymore, Hugh.

LOL - no - I just don't see Freeman as the starter 2-3 years from now - so the 10 mill would be out of the question for me. 

[spartan]

Freeman's TD and INT stats this season are comparable to Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers and Matt Ryan and better that some other "franchise" QBs. It's just that we all see the uneven game performance (reflected in a low completion percentage)

Was beginning to think you had been bannned, glad to see you haven't. Josh can hit a hot streak and win games, my problem is he is unreliable. You can't count on him to step up when it counts.

[DeltaBuc5]

Freeman deserves to get payed what he's earning now, the dude can't step up when it matters.

Someone remind us what his winning % is against teams better than .500.

/thread

[VinBucFan]

Freeman's TD and INT stats this season are comparable to Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers and Matt Ryan and better that some other "franchise" QBs. It's just that we all see the uneven game performance (reflected in a low completion percentage)

But you can't just look at TD/INT numbers.  As you said, his completion percentage isn't just bad, it's worse than Kevin Kolb.  Out of 34 qualifying QBs, he's 31st.

and yet he has a team with the worst passing defense in the league within 7 or 8 points of winning numerous games.  believe me, I am on the fence about the guy and am very frustrated, but I think comparing him to Kolb or Jason Campbell is a bit odd, at least in terms of the money he will get. No doubt Dom has a tough job dealing with the extension, particularly if Schiano is on the fence

[Feel Real Good]

Dave, i don't have that answer but i'm pretty confident that we can find mediocre anywhere.

Skip - bringing in mediocre to replace mediocre isn't moving forward.  IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT (something like Jason Campbell's contract) Freeman should be re-signed. 

And he isn't the only one on the team that is mediocre.  And we should remain curious to see how he might function with the starting O line in place.  The current group of backups can't keep the pocket clean in front of Freeman - and most qbs stink when faced with that condition.  I AM NOT SAYING Freeman is the answer - just that there is still information needed to decide what Freeman's final evaluation should be.  In the interim - if the bucs can extend him for a fair price - that is smart.

On what planet should Freeman accept Jason Campbell money after he finishes the season with 3,900 yards (team record), 30 TD's (team record) and 10 INT's? Campbell can't dream about that kind of production.

Similar money for similar outcomes if he wants the extension FRG.  If he doesn't want it that is his choice.  As the talk has evolved I have noted something in the 5 million a year range is affordable and allows the bucs to keep shopping should they conclude Freeman isn't going to be the guy.

I thought you weren't with us anymore, Hugh.

LOL - no - I just don't see Freeman as the starter 2-3 years from now - so the 10 mill would be out of the question for me.

So what is the historical precedence for a 24-year-old QB with a career 76/54 not being a starting QB 2-3 years later barring significant injury/incarceration?

[Feel Real Good]

Freeman's TD and INT stats this season are comparable to Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers and Matt Ryan and better that some other "franchise" QBs. It's just that we all see the uneven game performance (reflected in a low completion percentage)

But you can't just look at TD/INT numbers.  As you said, his completion percentage isn't just bad, it's worse than Kevin Kolb.  Out of 34 qualifying QBs, he's 31st.

#6 yards per attempt

[VinBucFan]

Freeman's TD and INT stats this season are comparable to Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers and Matt Ryan and better that some other "franchise" QBs. It's just that we all see the uneven game performance (reflected in a low completion percentage)

Was beginning to think you had been bannned, glad to see you haven't. Josh can hit a hot streak and win games, my problem is he is unreliable. You can't count on him to step up when it counts.

Weird, but I think you could say that you can count on him to step up when it counts BUT his problem is he doesnt step up when it doesnt count. In other words, he misses routine throws early but then brings the team storming back. I agree with you that right now he is unreliable, just in reverse. 

The tougher question, which the coaches probably have a feel for, is does he have a confidence issue or some other problem, that he cannot overcome or is it, for example, mechanics etc.  Someone at OBP is no doubt analyzing that over and over and over . .

[Hate]

There is no way Freeman signs for any less than these guys:

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/chicago-bears/jay-cutler/
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/houston-texans/matt-schaub/
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/kevin-kolb/
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/tony-romo/

[dbucfan]

Dave, i don't have that answer but i'm pretty confident that we can find mediocre anywhere.

Skip - bringing in mediocre to replace mediocre isn't moving forward.  IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT (something like Jason Campbell's contract) Freeman should be re-signed. 

And he isn't the only one on the team that is mediocre.  And we should remain curious to see how he might function with the starting O line in place.  The current group of backups can't keep the pocket clean in front of Freeman - and most qbs stink when faced with that condition.  I AM NOT SAYING Freeman is the answer - just that there is still information needed to decide what Freeman's final evaluation should be.  In the interim - if the bucs can extend him for a fair price - that is smart.

On what planet should Freeman accept Jason Campbell money after he finishes the season with 3,900 yards (team record), 30 TD's (team record) and 10 INT's? Campbell can't dream about that kind of production.

Similar money for similar outcomes if he wants the extension FRG.  If he doesn't want it that is his choice.  As the talk has evolved I have noted something in the 5 million a year range is affordable and allows the bucs to keep shopping should they conclude Freeman isn't going to be the guy.

I thought you weren't with us anymore, Hugh.

LOL - no - I just don't see Freeman as the starter 2-3 years from now - so the 10 mill would be out of the question for me.

So what is the historical precedence for a 24-year-old QB with a career 76/54 not being a starting QB 2-3 years later barring significant injury/incarceration?

I don't think there has to be an historical preference.  Has there been such a rule enacted? 

He is currently set as 2012: $6.585 million, 2013: $8.43 million, 2014: Free Agent.  So 10 mill would be a nice raise for him if someone wants him that bad.  Do you see that player when you watch Freeman - 10 mill a year.  1/12 of the cap?  That is the question - if you do - pay him.  I don't see that.  I would pay for what I see, not what some undocumented historical preference rule indicated