Ex-Buc Freeman must prove he is a changed man 
After Josh Freeman was released by the Bucs, he had brief stints with the Vikings and Giants. Now he’ll compete for a spot with the Dolphins. TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO By Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff Published: April 12, 2015 TAMPA — This is his last chance, and he knows it.If absence makes the heart grow fonder, Josh Freeman should be obsessed with football right about now. The 27-year-old former “franchise’’ quarterback of the Buccaneers is back in the NFL, at least temporarily, after signing a one-year deal with the Dolphins.With Ryan Tannelhill entrenched as Miami’s starter under center and Matt Moore considered a reliable backup, Freeman is facing a formidable challenge just to make the roster coming out of training camp.But for Freeman, it’s not solely about earning a place in the team picture — it’s about making an impression.“Right now, this is about building his character, not only with this team but in the National Football League,’’ said Sam Madison, a former four-time Pro Bowl cornerback with the Dolphins. “A lot of general managers around the league are watching this very closely.’’So are Bucs fans, wondering how a quarterback who looked so dynamic in 2010 could be out of football in 2014 while dozens of teams searched desperately for quality backups.Five years after throwing 25 touchdown passes and only six picks in his first full season as a starter, Freeman and the Bucs are each seeking relevance.Since that 2010 season, when Freeman led Tampa Bay to a surprising 10-6 mark by routinely pulling games out in the fourth quarter, the Bucs have established permanent residence in the NFC South basement.And if they remain there this fall, they will become the first NFC club since the 1970 merger to finish last in its division five consecutive years.Freeman’s tale of woe is equally depressing.He lost nine of his previous 10 starts (one with Minnesota) before finding himself shut out of the league in 2014, despite being healthy.The Giants signed him a year ago, but Freeman lasted only one month before he was cut. New York officials took the high road, saying the team decided to go in another direction.Do I have to spell it out? That’s polite NFL code for we don’t want Freeman around.“Things went down how they went down,’’ said Freeman, who hasn’t taken an NFL snap in almost 18 months. “You can’t change that. Obviously, going forward, I’m trying to learn from that and make things easier.’’ Freeman’s stunning fall remains a bit of a mystery.Some people blame former Bucs coach Greg Schiano, and while it is true Schiano was never totally sold on the 17th player selected in the 2009 draft, Freeman punched his own ticket out of town by being irresponsible toward his teammates.He let down his coaches, ownership and, ultimately, Bucs fans.Now, after working hard to get in shape and spending hours in Jon Gruden’s darkened football lair watching tape, Freeman said he’s ready to take command of another huddle.“Not playing last year really left me hungry,’’ he said. “It left me wanting to get back in the swing of things.’’Freeman can thank Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey for the opportunity. When Freeman was selected out of Kansas State, Hickey was Mark Dominik’s personnel sidekick in Tampa.In the summer of 2015, armed with a one-year deal for $765,000, Josh Freeman has to prove he’s a changed man.And should Freeman remain in contention for a roster spot heading into Miami’s final preseason game, the NFL schedule-maker has obliged with a dandy matchup:Bucs at Dolphins.You can’t make this stuff up. [email protected](813) 259-7833Twitter: @IKaufmanTBO
