Josh Freeman=relevance for Greg Jennings and Co.??

[TREFF]

With the signing by the Vikes of Josh Freeman, combined with the Ponder injury and Cassel's history of ineffective-ness, plus the fact Freeman was signed at over double what Ponder and Cassel are making; Can Josh Freeman bring Jennings, Rudolph, Simpson and/or Patterson onto the weekly fantasy radar?

My first thought is yes, although it's going to take a few weeks, and unfortunately the Vikes already had their bye, so no free weeks to get familiar with the offense. Granted, the Vikes will always hinge on getting Peterson the ball, and it's not like Freeman was stellar the past couple years. But, Tampa was also a primarily run based offense, and he did well enough to keep VJAX and Mike Williams in the picture. So once he gets at least half the playbook down, I think Jennings goes from bench material to a Marco pay WR2 or decent flex, Rudolph should be a weekly option again, and there might even be hope of Patterson finally showing enough to warrant a spot on the end of your bench.

Anyone else?

 

[Sox33OSU]

I tend to agree with you here. Freeman's problem isn't skillset, it was between the ears. It was apparent that his relationship with Schiano wasn't a good one early. However, he clearly has enough talent to make things happen. He's also young enough that, if he latches on to MIN's offense and can revive some of his 2010 form, Minnesota may have found their QB. Remember, he's still only 25.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I would have to agree. But not so much with Rudolph since TE's in Tampa Bay never really shined with Freeman under center. But I could just be remembering that part wrong.

Either way, that definitely makes everyone on that offense a little more relevant. Tough to say how high the ceiling is at this point.

 

[RoboticDreams]

If throwing 3 yard dump-offs makes the Vikes competitive, I will be shocked.

 

[TREFF]

If throwing 3 yard dump-offs makes the Vikes competitive, I will be shocked.

Given that both Jackson and Williams have had plenty of big plays the past couple years, I'm not sure where your coming from on this one.

 

[TREFF]

I would have to agree. But not so much with Rudolph since TE's in Tampa Bay never really shined with Freeman under center. But I could just be remembering that part wrong.

Either way, that definitely makes everyone on that offense a little more relevant. Tough to say how high the ceiling is at this point.

I sure wouldn't say he shined by any means, but Kellen Winslow wasnt too terrible under Freeman. I do think Rudoloh had the ability to be better than Winslow was, (during his time in Tampa..maybe equal to his days in CLEV?)..so maybe? But I wouldn't rush out to trade for him either. Maybe a viable match up option instead of a desperation play??

 

[wilwhite]

I'm not excited about the Vikes' WR prospects regardless. I'm not even sure Freeman can hold on to the starting gig. But as long as he does, his legs will help AP (as if he needed any more help) and vice versa.

 

[RoboticDreams]

Given that both Jackson and Williams have had plenty of big plays the past couple years, I'm not sure where your coming from on this one.

Are you going to provide some tangible evidence to support that claim? I have seen him play several times and haven't once been impressed. If he were a good QB, he wouldn't be in this situation. I'm not buying all the BS that it's the coaches fault.

 

[TKOSpikes]

well, it probably can't get worse....

oh wait, yes it can! (see Thad Lewis, Jeff Tuel and the Buffalo Bills!)

 

[TKOSpikes]

Are you going to provide some tangible evidence to support that claim?

WTF? Look at the stats for evidence man. It's there.

 

[wilwhite]

Are you going to provide some tangible evidence to support that claim?

Quarterback Air Yards - 2012 NFL Season Statistics

His problem isn't throwing downfield - it's bad decisions, a drop in accuracy, and bad leadership.

 

[TREFF]

Are you going to provide some tangible evidence to support that claim? I have seen him play several times and haven't once been impressed. If he were a good QB, he wouldn't be in this situation. I'm not buying all the BS that it's the coaches fault.

Well first off, I'm not trying to claim Freeman is going to be a savior by any means, jsut a step up from Ponder and Cassel which will HELP..not solve, the Vike's passing game issues.
But if you desire evidence..I'll provide a little

Jackson's first year in TB, with Freeman at Qb, his yard's per catch (19.2) were the second highest of his career. it could be considered his highest, since his rookie year numbers (19.7) were generated by only 3 catches.

In those 16 games with Freeman last season, Jackson had long catches of 21, 41, 29, 54, 19, 95, 26, 64, 31, 24, 40, 19, 46, and 27. With 1 200 yd game, 4 100 yd games, and 2 others over 90. And 8 touchdowns

Mike Williams isn't quite the big play threat that VJAX is, but he's always been over 11 yds per catch under Freeman (until this season). And he had at least 6 catches over 40 yards last year, just going by his game log and longest catch line..possible he could've had multiples.

 

[TREFF]

Quarterback Air Yards - 2012 NFL Season Statistics

His problem isn't throwing downfield - it's bad decisions, a drop in accuracy, and bad leadership.

wow..where'd ya dig that one up WIll?? interesting

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Well moving to a dome is probably a plus and there aren't many coaches worse than Schiano when it comes to x's and o's so it should in theory be a postive move all around.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Well moving to a dome is probably a plus and there aren't many coaches worse than Schiano when it comes to x's and o's so it should in theory be a postive move all around.

Well put NastyM - I think Freeman could hold on and be the starter in MIN the rest of the season, once he gets the playbook down. If anything, MIN needs a QB that can heave it downfield to Patterson to keep defenses honest vs AP.

Freeman can do that. He is also good at turning around and handing the ball to the RB, which is a big part of the gameplan where he's at now. let's not forget, MIN doesn't need or want Freeman to throw 40+ times a game. They want a threat at QB, and I think Freeman will do well enough to get at least 1 WR to become fantasy relevant, just not sure which one of the three it will be. I do not see Rudolph being much more than a redzone target, personally.

 

[wilwhite]

By the way, the guy with the lowest % air yards last year was... Mr. Ponder.

 

[TKOSpikes]

oh wait, yes it can! (see Thad Lewis, Jeff Tuel and the Buffalo Bills!)

I'm officially on the Tim Tebow watch clock. Shant be long.

 

[The Foot]

I always thought of Freeman as a solid fantasy play in 2 QB leagues. I think Rudolph will be productive and Simpson could turn into a semi - must start option going forward at least until Patterson learns the playbook. But back to Kyle Rudolph for a second. I dont think you can compare apples to apples here when judging how Freeman thrown to TEs have faired in the past because circumstances as compltly different. In MIN Freeman will be trying to learn the system and should be looking for the safest shortest routes to insure early success. Even though there have not been any elite TE in TB under Freeman I think Rudolph will emerge as one this year. Rudolph to me right now is the best pass catcher on the quad and provides the biggest and safest security blankit to Freeman while Freeman learns the playbook. If Freeman wants to succeed early on he will figure it out while learning the system that Rudolph is his best option for now.

 

[TKOSpikes]

Will Freeman be starting by Week 8?

 

[wilwhite]

My guess is yes, and my guess is that he'll be supermotivated. But he quit on Raheem Morris and Schiano couldn't deal with him, so my long-term expectations are pretty low. Third coach is the charm?