On Tuesday, Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton offered a strong critique of Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman.
“He just plays God awful,” Tarkenton told WDAE radio in Tampa.
In response, Freeman took the high road.
“Obviously, he’s Fran Tarkenton,” Freeman said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “His career speaks for itself. He’s a Hall of Famer. But I mean at the same time, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. The important thing is the people in this building -- coaches, teammates -- they’ve got faith and they know who I am as a player.”
Still, if the organization had complete faith in Freeman, the team would have tried to sign him to a new contract. Instead, the Bucs are letting Freeman finish his rookie deal before determining his value over the long haul. Or before deciding whether they even want him over the long haul.
By all appearances, the Bucs want Freeman to be the starter for 2013. Come 2014, maybe the Buccaneers will be inclined to agree with Tarkenton.