Josh Freeman has at least one fan in the NFL and if he is lucky it will lead to a job. The quarterback was officially released from Tampa Bay on Thursday and is sitting on waivers waiting for an interested team. The Buccaneers could not find a trade partner for Freeman while he was with the team, making it unlikely he gets pick up. However, one coach is praising his abilities and hinting at a possible job?
Former Buccaneers coaches are coming to the defense of Freeman after Tampa Bay essentially created a smear campaign against their former starter. First, current Green Bay Packers running back coach, former Buccaneers quarterback coach, said he loved his time working with Freeman and praised him as both a great player and leader. He is not the only one.
Former Buccaneers assistant, current offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders, Greg Olson said the same kind things of Freeman after he was released. Olson spent three years with Freeman before departing the team and credits that experience as nothing but positive.
"I've always been a fan of Josh as a person and a player," Olson said, via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. "It was unfortunate, for me, to watch what happened in Tampa really over the last couple of years. I've always had the utmost respect for him. I think he's a great player. I feel bad for him and the entire situation and how it's played out. I just found out myself coming off the field that he was released. I don't think there are any winners for anybody in that situation."
The Raiders have a starting quarterback in Terrelle Pryor and he is proving to be an excellent talent. Pryor could be the quarterback of the future in Oakland with how quickly he is developing, but there are some lingering questions as to who will play his backup. Pryor was injured one game this season so far and Matt Flynn stepped in and lost the game. Dennis Allen essentially blamed the veteran for the loss, leaving his future up in the air.
When asked about a change at the backup position for Oakland, Allen simply said, "I don't know." So, Flynn should really be feeling confident right now, right? The door appears to be open for Freeman. However, that door likely not as wide open this season as it might be next year. Freeman comes with $6 million-plus baggage in the form of a large contract. Right now, the team is still dealing with the large salary they gave Flynn to sit on the bench and is not looking to take on anymore money.
The Raiders could make some moves quickly once the offseason hits and offer Freeman a job as Pryor's backup. There appears to be little chance of this happening in 2013, but 2014 could see the quarterback part of Raider Nation.
