Josh Freeman: A Quarterback's Gridiron Chronicle
An analytical exploration of Josh Freeman's journey through professional football, examining his collegiate achievements, NFL career, and subsequent transitions.
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Career Overview
Drafted Prospect
Joshua Tyler Freeman, born January 13, 1988, emerged as a prominent quarterback prospect. After a distinguished collegiate career at Kansas State University, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (17th overall pick) of the 2009 NFL Draft. This selection marked him as a significant investment, expected to lead the franchise.
Buccaneers Tenure
Freeman quickly established himself as the Buccaneers' starting quarterback during his rookie season in 2009. He went on to break several franchise passing records, demonstrating considerable potential. His 2010 season was particularly notable, leading the team to a 10-6 record and earning recognition as a FedEx Air Player of the Week multiple times. However, his performance declined in subsequent seasons, leading to his release midway through the 2013 season.
Subsequent NFL & CFL Stints
Following his departure from Tampa Bay, Freeman had brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Indianapolis Colts. These periods were characterized by limited playing time and instability. He also played in the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) for the Brooklyn Bolts and later signed with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2018, before retiring from professional football later that year.
Collegiate Foundation
High School Acclaim
Freeman displayed significant talent at Grandview High School in Grandview, Missouri, setting numerous school records for passing yards and touchdowns. He was recognized as a highly-rated four-star prospect by major recruiting services, indicating his potential for collegiate success.
Kansas State Wildcats
Freeman committed to Kansas State University, becoming a key player for the Wildcats. As a freshman in 2006, he set a school record for passing yards by a freshman. He continued to develop, setting single-season records for pass attempts, completions, and yards in 2007. His collegiate career concluded with school records for total yards and a significant number of touchdowns, establishing him as one of the program's notable quarterbacks.
Honors and Recognition
Freeman's collegiate performance earned him significant accolades, including national player-of-the-week honors after a notable game against Texas in 2006. He was also recognized as the Big 12 Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week and received honors from publications like USA Today. These awards underscored his status as a top collegiate quarterback.
Professional Career Trajectory
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-2013)
Selected 17th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, Freeman signed a five-year contract. He became the youngest starting quarterback in franchise history. His early career showed promise, setting franchise records and earning player of the week awards. However, inconsistency and team performance issues led to his benching and eventual release in October 2013.
Minnesota Vikings (2013)
Freeman joined the Vikings shortly after his release from Tampa Bay. Named the starter for Week 7, his performance was notably poor, marked by a low completion percentage and an interception. He was subsequently benched due to concussion-like symptoms and finished the season as the third-string quarterback.
New York Giants (2014)
Freeman signed a one-year deal with the Giants in April 2014. However, his tenure was brief, as the team released him just over a month later in May 2014, before the start of the regular season.
Miami Dolphins (2015)
Signing with the Dolphins in April 2015, Freeman was released and then re-signed later that summer. He played in the preseason finale but was ultimately released again in September 2015.
FXFL & Indianapolis Colts (2015)
Freeman played briefly for the Brooklyn Bolts in the FXFL in late 2015. He then signed with the Indianapolis Colts in December 2015, starting the final game of the season due to injuries to the team's primary quarterbacks. He was released by the Colts in March 2016.
Canadian Football League (2017-2018)
In 2017, Freeman attended workouts with the Montreal Alouettes and signed a two-year contract in January 2018. However, he retired from professional football in May 2018, citing his position on the depth chart.
Career Statistics
NFL Performance Metrics
Freeman's NFL career spanned parts of six seasons across multiple teams. His most extensive playing time occurred with the Buccaneers. Below is a summary of his key statistical achievements:
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | TB | 10 | 9 | 3โ6 | 158 | 290 | 54.5 | 1,855 | 6.4 | 10 | 18 | 59.8 | 30 | 161 | 5.4 | 0 | 20 | 102 | 10 | 2 |
| 2010 | TB | 16 | 16 | 10โ6 | 291 | 474 | 61.4 | 3,451 | 7.3 | 25 | 6 | 95.9 | 68 | 374 | 5.4 | 0 | 28 | 195 | 8 | 3 |
| 2011 | TB | 15 | 15 | 4โ11 | 346 | 551 | 62.8 | 3,592 | 6.5 | 16 | 22 | 74.6 | 55 | 238 | 4.3 | 4 | 29 | 164 | 9 | 5 |
| 2012 | TB | 16 | 16 | 7โ9 | 306 | 558 | 54.8 | 4,065 | 7.3 | 27 | 17 | 81.6 | 39 | 139 | 3.6 | 0 | 26 | 161 | 10 | 2 |
| 2013 | TB/MIN | 4 | 4 | 0โ4 | 63 | 151 | 42.4 | 761 | 3.6 | 3 | 4 | 53.1 | 13 | 44 | 3.4 | 0 | 8 | 51 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | IND | 1 | 1 | 1โ0 | 15 | 28 | 53.6 | 149 | 5.3 | 1 | 1 | 65.9 | 8 | 24 | 3.0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 62 | 61 | 25โ36 | 1,179 | 2,048 | 57.6 | 13,873 | 6.8 | 81 | 68 | 77.6 | 205 | 946 | 4.6 | 4 | 112 | 690 | 39 | 13 |
Note: Statistics include regular season games only. Career totals reflect combined stats for Buccaneers and Vikings in 2013.
Awards and Honors
Collegiate Recognition
During his time at Kansas State, Freeman received multiple honors, reflecting his standout performance:
- Multiple National Player-of-the-Week selections (e.g., Cingular All-America Player of the Week, Walter Camp Foundation Offensive Player of the Week) in 2006.
- Big 12 Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week (September 2, 2008).
- USA Today College Football Player of the Week (October 15, 2008).
Professional Accolades
Freeman earned several accolades during his NFL career:
- NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 5, 2010).
- FedEx Air Player of the Week (multiple times in 2010).
- NFC Offensive Player of The Week (Week 17, 2010).
- Ranked 86th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011 list.
Personal Background
Family Ties
Josh Freeman's father, Ron, was an accomplished athlete inducted into the Pittsburg State University Athletics Hall of Fame and played professionally in the United States Football League (USFL). His brother, Caleb, also played college football for the Missouri Tigers.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI model and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on data sourced from Wikipedia and may not reflect the most current or complete information available. The analysis and presentation are designed to provide an academic overview suitable for higher education students.
This is not professional sports analysis or career advice. The information provided herein should not be considered a substitute for professional consultation regarding athletic careers, performance analysis, or financial planning. Always consult with qualified professionals for specific advice related to sports careers or personal finance.
The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.