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

[VinBucFan]

I don't understand this thought process that if you don't resign him, you have to immediately find your franchise guy.  You can give up on a guy while searching for the future, it doesn't have to be "Ok, you're gone.  Hey, we don't like you, but we're going to sign you to a big deal anyways".

Schiano in year 2 of 5 might disagree with your approach.  Schaino might want a new guy, but he is going to want to roll with Free while they find a new guy.

[TBayXXXVII]

An issue that keeps being brought up that I have issue with is the notion that if the Bucs don't sign him NOW, that they have to replace him NOW.  That's not the case at all.  He's under contract through next season.  Just because they don't extend him now, doesn't mean they have to draft a QB in April.  Most people who are saying not to extend him ARE NOT saying to replace him.  Simply, don't extend his contract yet.  There's still next year people.  If Freeman performs next year like a true franchise QB, Dominik (if he's still here), will offer him a long term deal and Freeman will sign it.  If Freeman still doesn't instill confidence, there will likely be a couple options in April 2014.

[TheAman]

I don't understand this thought process that if you don't resign him, you have to immediately find your franchise guy.  You can give up on a guy while searching for the future, it doesn't have to be "Ok, you're gone.  Hey, we don't like you, but we're going to sign you to a big deal anyways".

Schiano in year 2 of 5 might disagree with your approach.  Schaino might want a new guy, but he is going to want to roll with Free while they find a new guy.

You're right.  I'm not saying what's going to happen, because very likely Freeman is going to get an extension.  But I'm trying to look at what's best for the long-term interest of the team, something that Schiano can't look at.  I don't blame him for operating that way, but a lot of times people acting in their own self-interests hurts a team.

[The Anti-Java]

An issue that keeps being brought up that I have issue with is the notion that if the Bucs don't sign him NOW, that they have to replace him NOW.  That's not the case at all.  He's under contract through next season.  Just because they don't extend him now, doesn't mean they have to draft a QB in April.  Most people who are saying not to extend him ARE NOT saying to replace him.  Simply, don't extend his contract yet.  There's still next year people.  If Freeman performs next year like a true franchise QB, Dominik (if he's still here), will offer him a long term deal and Freeman will sign it.  If Freeman still doesn't instill confidence, there will likely be a couple options in April 2014.

Why would he sign anything after the 2013 season when he could be a free agent at that point?

[VinBucFan]

The simple matter is it is easier to say on this message board right now -- "I wouldnt pay him $9 mill per" -- because its a message board.  But, as pointed out above, the going rate will be at least that for a second contract QB  drafted in the first round, hopefully on a rising team, etc. and the GM making the decision (as pointed out above) would be essentially admitting error by dumping him. So, while we can all say it -- and it is always safer to go negative -- the Bucs cant say that anywhere near as easily, unless the guy completely tanks. If the team is going up (and we get a lot of talent back next year and Free is in the system another year and offseason), well . .

[TBayXXXVII]

An issue that keeps being brought up that I have issue with is the notion that if the Bucs don't sign him NOW, that they have to replace him NOW.  That's not the case at all.  He's under contract through next season.  Just because they don't extend him now, doesn't mean they have to draft a QB in April.  Most people who are saying not to extend him ARE NOT saying to replace him.  Simply, don't extend his contract yet.  There's still next year people.  If Freeman performs next year like a true franchise QB, Dominik (if he's still here), will offer him a long term deal and Freeman will sign it.  If Freeman still doesn't instill confidence, there will likely be a couple options in April 2014.

Why would he sign anything after the 2013 season when he could be a free agent at that point?

Because he's going to be franchised.  If he's worthy of an extension, he'll be worthy of the franchise tag.  He won't be able to just walk.

[The Anti-Java]

An issue that keeps being brought up that I have issue with is the notion that if the Bucs don't sign him NOW, that they have to replace him NOW.  That's not the case at all.  He's under contract through next season.  Just because they don't extend him now, doesn't mean they have to draft a QB in April.  Most people who are saying not to extend him ARE NOT saying to replace him.  Simply, don't extend his contract yet.  There's still next year people.  If Freeman performs next year like a true franchise QB, Dominik (if he's still here), will offer him a long term deal and Freeman will sign it.  If Freeman still doesn't instill confidence, there will likely be a couple options in April 2014.

Why would he sign anything after the 2013 season when he could be a free agent at that point?

Because he's going to be franchised.  If he's worthy of an extension, he'll be worthy of the franchise tag.  He won't be able to just walk.

Then you create bad blood between the team and camp Free.

[VinBucFan]

I don't understand this thought process that if you don't resign him, you have to immediately find your franchise guy.  You can give up on a guy while searching for the future, it doesn't have to be "Ok, you're gone.  Hey, we don't like you, but we're going to sign you to a big deal anyways".

Schiano in year 2 of 5 might disagree with your approach.  Schaino might want a new guy, but he is going to want to roll with Free while they find a new guy.

You're right.  I'm not saying what's going to happen, because very likely Freeman is going to get an extension.  But I'm trying to look at what's best for the long-term interest of the team, something that Schiano can't look at.  I don't blame him for operating that way, but a lot of times people acting in their own self-interests hurts a team.

I agree with you 100%. I was just more focused on the reality as opposed to what we might all due.  Schiano's self interest will be to keep him (as long as he does not tank) and that will alos be Dom's self interest.

The other thing that few seem to account for is players are not static, they generally improve over time. So, if Freeman gets to be more consistent, it will be even more likely he is extended.

[TheAman]

Ugh...we're back here.  Find a time that a franchised QB refused to sign a long-term deal because there was bad blood.  It doesn't happen.

[TheChronicHotAir]

If the Bucs don't extend Freeman this coming offseason, that's FREEMAN's fault...

(that's an Automatic move IF any qb deserves it)

[VinBucFan]

agree again and I doubt Free gets to a Franchise Tag.  They sign him this offseason or early next season, right?

[The Anti-Java]

Ugh...we're back here.  Find a time that a franchised QB refused to sign a long-term deal because there was bad blood.  It doesn't happen.

Not a QB but our own Vjax couldn't come to terms with AJ Smith. So they tagged him, and then finally just let him go.

[BucBalla85]

An issue that keeps being brought up that I have issue with is the notion that if the Bucs don't sign him NOW, that they have to replace him NOW.  That's not the case at all.  He's under contract through next season.  Just because they don't extend him now, doesn't mean they have to draft a QB in April.  Most people who are saying not to extend him ARE NOT saying to replace him.  Simply, don't extend his contract yet.  There's still next year people.  If Freeman performs next year like a true franchise QB, Dominik (if he's still here), will offer him a long term deal and Freeman will sign it.  If Freeman still doesn't instill confidence, there will likely be a couple options in April 2014.

Why would he sign anything after the 2013 season when he could be a free agent at that point?

Because he's going to be franchised.  If he's worthy of an extension, he'll be worthy of the franchise tag.  He won't be able to just walk.

Then you create bad blood between the team and camp Free.

Depends on the situation. If Freeman continues to be a question make by then, I think we will have our answer about Freeman. If he was still a question mark at thst time, he wouldn't deserve a new contract. No bad blood. If he plays well then he gets a new contract. It should be that easy.

[TheAman]

I know, but we're talking about QBs here.  They don't risk injury to prove a point because of bad blood.  If the Bucs want him, and offer him something fair, he'll take it.

[Bschucher]

Ugh...we're back here.  Find a time that a franchised QB refused to sign a long-term deal because there was bad blood.  It doesn't happen.

Not a QB but our own Vjax couldn't come to terms with AJ Smith. So they tagged him, and then finally just let him go.

And it was a mistake that AJ will end up losing his job over.