Billick on Freeman.. ....."It’s not accuracy."

[michael89156]

Weighing in on Freeman

Posted Jan 7, 2013 at 04:14 PM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—

The future of Josh Freeman is a hot-button topic in the Bay area and Brian Billick isn’t sure why.

Freeman and the Bucs suffered through a December slump as Tampa Bay finished 7-9 and in last place in the NFC South for the fourth time in the past seven seasons. Freeman has one more year remaining on his rookie contract and Billick, an NFL analyst for Fox, says the Bucs would be foolish to abandon their 24-year-old quarterback.

“I’d equate Josh to (Pittsburgh’s) Ben Roethlisberger,’’ Billick said. “He can make those plays that you can’t script, plays with guys hanging onto him. What he’s got to do is be more efficient. Rather than wait for the big play and force it downfield, make the decision earlier. If it’s not there, take the checkdown. There’s a nuance to that and it will come with experience. It’s not accuracy. If that was the issue, I’d be concerned. I think it’s the decision-making process, where he’s trying to make big plays all the time.’‘

After an 8-week stretch that saw Freeman throw only three interceptions, he was picked off nine times in the final three games.

“He’s got all the tools,’’ Billick said. “You put a yes in the check box for size, intelligence, vision, touch, big arm, athletic. He’s got it all. But does it all combine? Does the sum of the parts equal the whole? If you’ve got your quarterback, and I think they do, the Bucs can go from there. If you don’t have one, you’re scrambling in the offseason and you’re in the bottom half of the curve.’‘

[dalbuc]

Vision? Touch? Really Brian, are you just using the Coachspeak Magic 8 ball to form sentences now?

[GameTime]

Does the sum of the parts equal the whole?

great way to ask the question.  only issue is, after 4 years, we still dont know.

[GrimmReaper]

Vision? Touch? Really Brian, are you just using the Coachspeak Magic 8 ball to form sentences now?

Clearly, he hasn't watched Freeman play much this year. Vision is an issue.

[Buc on the Move]

Hell, the only touch Freeman had on some balls this year were when he went under center.

[GrimmReaper]

Hell, the only touch Freeman had on some balls this year were when he went under center.

Bazinga!

Well done, sir.

[The Anti-Java]

Watching Russell Wilson, he has an arm on him,  and has a nice touch on the short stuff.  Something Freeman lacks.

[1sparkybuc]

Billick is just wishing he had Freeman instead of Dilfer. He'd still be HC for the Ravens and have several more rings.

[BerubesBucs]

I guessed what Billick was going to say before I even read the article after the title.

Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing..

[JavaRay]

Watching Russell Wilson, he has an arm on him,  and has a nice touch on the short stuff.  Something Freeman lacks.

Yes, and I wanted the Bucs to draft Wilson.

[QaZ]

Watching Russell Wilson, he has an arm on him,  and has a nice touch on the short stuff.  Something Freeman lacks.

Yes, and I wanted the Bucs to draft Wilson.

Me too, but i also wanted Rodgers.

[JDouble]

Billick is not a coach for a reason and he sure as he'll didn't do anything to make one think he knows the difference between a good QB and Bad one while he was coaching.

[ehinote]

The guy hasn't watched Freeman outside of the games he's done of the Bucs.  That's the problem... anyone that sees this giant QB with a big arm they fall in love with his potential.  Well, give me something more than just "what could become of him" next year or I'll take what's behind door number 2. 

[chace1986]

He blew a few loads in 2010 when watching Freeman, and apparently Freeman still does it for him. Hopefully the FO isn't as blinded as Billick is, when it comes to Freeman.

[McCoy93]

He blew a few loads in 2010 when watching Freeman, and apparently Freeman still does it for him. Hopefully the FO isn't as blinded as Billick is, when it comes to Freeman.

yes i was gonna say something like that. He did quite a few of Frreman's games in 2010 when he had his breakout season. Games against the bengals and falcons. i'm assuming he is basing his analysis from that year