Josh Freeman News

When Drew Brees was playing collegiate football at Purdue, his quarterbacks coach, Greg Olson , would take him to Indianapolis to watch the Colts' Peyton Manning and meet with him after games.

Even a distant replay went against the Bucs. Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president for officiating, told the Bucs that he agrees with the replay reversal that resulted in an interception by the Dolphins' Jason Taylor on Sunday.

A few weeks ago, the thought of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beating the mighty New Orleans Saints was unthinkable, even to the most kool-aid drinking fans.

Ladies and Gentleman, and those of you that venture into "Upon Further Review." I am about to talk about the new and improved Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Fans always believe the referees are out to get their team. My own mother believes there is an international conspiracy of referees against the Buccaneers.

Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay's first-round draft pick, has an overall passer rating of 79.9, but his rating in the fourth quarter is 117.9. Tampa Bay is 1-8 and in last place in the NFC South, but the Buccaneers are beginning to play better.

While statistics don't tell the whole tale, the Bucs' defensive numbers against the run tell an ugly story.

Looked like Josh Freeman would do the impossible once again, didn't it? There he was in his second NFL start, braving the crowd at Land Shark Stadium, braving the Miami defense, leading his Buccaneers from a double-digit deficit to what looked like a spectacular second victory for this young team.

You think you know a guy, don't you? You have read all of the headlines. You have heard all of the punch lines.

Published: Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 10:18 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 10:18 p.m. Most of the talk this week at One Buccaneer Place has been how the team is reacting after winning its first game of the regular season.

By going 3-5 the first half of the season, reigning AFC East champion Miami actually beat the odds.

Drafted out of Kansas State at No. 17 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, Josh Freeman was the third quarterback off the board .

What keeps you smiling so much? It seems like there's never a time you don't. That's because I frowned enough growing up.

Remember the Brady Bunch episodes in Hawaii? A taboo tiki icon brings the family nothing but bad luck.

The Josh Freeman Fun Train heads to Miami for the young quarterback's first taste of life on the road in the NFL.

By Gary Shelton and John Romano , Times Sports Columnists In Print: Sunday, November 15, 2009 This week's electronic conversation between Sports columnists Gary Shelton and John Romano: GS: The victory parade is over, the coronation is complete, and the contract renewals are in the mail.

From where I'm sitting, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have accomplished one thing this season.

Not a lot went right for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half of the 2009 season.

Humble, resourceful and, of course, victorious. Coaches and teammates were impressed by his composure, too.

MIAMI a ' Three years ago, after using a derogatory slur to describe former Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter eventually delivered one of the more strangely entertaining apologies of all time.