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Football Guide Football 2010 - NFL : Page 2S 2 THE LED G E R • THURSDAY , SE P T EMBE R 9 , 201 0 • WWW.THEL E D GE R . C OM NFL2010 Rick Brown rick.brown@theledger.com Bucs in Search of Defensive Identity J TAMPA ust because something is old, doesn’tmean it still isn’t effective. It’s a philosophy the current Bucs architects forgot in their early days. Better they remember late than never. Tampa Bay General Manager Mark Dominik and head coach Raheem Morris were around during the franchise’s glory days, albeit in lesser roles. Now, after dismantling the teamin a veteran purge in 2009 and chang-ing defensive schemes, they are turning to the teachings of the past to rebuild for the future. The lesson: In Defense We Trust. There’s a saying in sports that offense is for show, while defense is for dough. That means while a lot of people love the excitement of offense,when it comes to winning titles, the defense steps to the forefront. Some of the most famous defenses in NFL history have led Super Bowl-winning squads – the 1985 Chicago Bears, the Steel Curtain Defense of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens of 2000, led by Kathleen High’s Ray Lewis. The 2002 Bucs also used this defensive philosophy to win their fi rst and only Super Bowl. When you think about the Bucs’ glory days, you think ofWarren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, Simeon Rice and Ronde Barber. Sure, you had Mike Alstott and Keyshawn Johnson on offense, but it was the defense that carried the team. That was their identity. Now the Bucs have to fi nd that missing identity. In the past few years, Tampa Bay’s defensive line has been ripped as easier than a wet paper napkin, allowing teams to be able to both run and pass against the unit. Thus, the Bucs drafted two highly rated defensive tackles – Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. They are supposed to formthe foundation of the defense for years to come. And Morris, who took over as defensive coordina-tor late last season,went back to the familiar Tampa-2 base. That was the Bucs’ identity when they ranked in the top 10 nearly every year for 14 years. The hope is theymake an impact now because de-fense will have to carry the offense until the offense, led by second-year quar-terback Josh Freeman, can fi nd its footing. This year’s schedule is going to put it to the test. In the the NFC South, the Bucs will be faced with powerful running teams (Carolina and Atlanta) as well as a powerhouse pass-ing team (New Orleans). Outside the division, Tampa Bay will face a Pittsburgh squad that will want to run the ball down its throat. Later, it will face an Arizona squad that will try to outgun the secondary. It’s a lot to handle, and there are sure to be some rough outings. But Tampa Bay believes returning to its roots will help build a stronger foundation for the future. this random stuff. I think about how can I get better, how can I make the guys around me better and go out and get some wins.” Morris, entering his second year himself as an NFL head coach, has the utmost con-fi dence Freeman will do everything in his power to do just that. It’s not just because of his physical pres-ence, although at 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds I ReadytoLead Second-Year Quarterback Asked to Rejuvenate Bucs By RICK BROWN | The LEDGER t’s all about Josh Freeman. Even if Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris hadn’t told us— again and again — there are enough signs. There’s no quarterback competition. The only quarterback with more game experiencethanFreemanis thequarterbacks coach. Oh yes, this isFreeman’s team. If the giant poster of him on the side of Raymond James Stadium didn’t confi rmit, then venture over tothe team’swebsite, where his picture is the fi rst that you see. It’s all about Freeman. READY FOR THE MOMENT Freeman is the face of a franchise that has fallen on hard times. A Super Bowl winner less than10 years ago, theBucshavenotwon a playoff game since. Last year, the Bucs had a 3-13mark. Free-man was quarterback for those three vic-tories. He also had a hand in six of those losses. Now, it’son the 22-year-old’s arm and brain to bring the franchise back from the pits of theNFL. And that’sOKwith him. “Not at all,” Freeman said when asked if he feltburdenedbytheexpectations. “I justwant to go out and win football games. I don’t re-ally do a lot of analyzing and thinking about that is a part of it. His ability to fling the ball 60 yards with what appears to be just a flick of the wrist also plays a part. What the Bucs know now is that, despite his God-given talents, Freeman’s work ethic may be even greater. “You can see it on his face, the comfort level, the realization that it’s his teamnow,” center Jeff Faine said. “Last year, it was about men-toring him and the development of Josh Freeman. We had a couple of quarterbacksahead of him that were trying to basically keep us afloat till Josh could catch up to the speed of this teamand the rest of the NFL. “Now, I think his comfort level is high and he’s accepted the role and embraced it,” Faine said. “I think he’sworking hard and doing what’s necessary to be that good NFL quarterback.” Morris has known for a long time that the quarterback from Kansas Citywas the one. Morris noticed it while serving as defensive coordinator at Kansas State, when Freeman won the start-ing job fourgames intohis freshman season. Now, the team is starting to buy in. PUTTINGINTHE WORK Following the season, Freeman took about a month off and then re-turned to Tampa. He went through every game he played and analyzed every play. He didn’t likewhat he saw. “I didn’t takemuch time off in the offseason because I felt as a second-year guy, I had a lot to learn,” he said. “I went back and watched the whole yearand saw the stupid mistakes I made. I just felt a sense of urgency to get on top of things.” After the Bucs drafted two receivers to grow with Freeman – Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams – the quarterback calledthem as well as the veterans and organized work-outs and fi lm sessions to bring them up to speed as quickly as possible. “He’s definitely trying to take the bull by the horns, per say, with the leadership and takingcontrol of the offense,” Faine said. “It’s good to see so early in his career, the work ethic he has and how valued he’s taking his profession and career. He definitely pushes the limits inhis preparation. I think he’sdone a good job.” TIME TOGOTOWORK Secondyearquarterbackshavehadmixed success in the NFL. Add the expectations The Ledger’s 2010 NFL Preview was planned and organized by Ledger Buccaneers beat writer Rick Brown. He can be reached at 863-802-7569 or rick.brown@theledger.com. OTHER CONTRIBUTORS SPORTS EDITOR: Andy Kuppers DESIGNEDITOR: Steve Antley COVER: John Pitts DESIGNERS: John Pitts, Nathan Sampey, Betty Williams. Last year, the team worried whether he could remember the audibles or speak loudly enough in the huddle for the team to hear him. This year, Freeman is calling out the protection for the offensive line, a feat some veteran quarterbacks don’t do. He knows how much Morris believes in him, and Freeman is determined not to let him or his teammates down. “You like to be playing in a place where the coach has confi dence in you and wants to do things around the team to make you successful,”he said. “It gives you confidence, not that I didn’t have it inmyself, but it means a lot to have a coach that cares about your development. “I just have to continue to get better every week,” he said. “Obviously, you look at the big things like controlling the turnovers, but I have to go out and playmy game, keep the ball secure and go out and make plays.” placed upon him when he has yet to play one full season in the NFL seem unfair at times. But the swagger and confidence Freeman shows give Tampa Bay hope. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | THE TEAM LEADER [ IT’S FREEMAN’S TIME ] S 2 PIERRE DUCHARME | THE LEDGER TAMPA BAY has been pleased with the progress second-year quarterback Josh Freeman (5) has made in the offseason. Fromhis workouts to his filmstudy, the Bucs are hoping Freeman can take that progress into the regular season. Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC Team-by-Team Previews & Schedules AFC Team-by-Team Previews & Scheduels Power Rankings & 2009 NFL Stats Miami Dolphins & Jacksonville Jaguars Polk’s Players in the NFL S2-4 S6 S7 S8 S10 S11 Publication List |
