Free Agency 2014: Sleeper Signings For The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Rob Clement
Josh Freeman Back to The Buccaneers??? Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks
Josh Freeman
That’s right, that Josh Freeman. Let’s rewind about 12 months when Freeman was set to make the leap and cement himself as the guy in Tampa Bay. General Schiano, a faulty alarm clock, a weird Michael Jackson photo shoot and a terrible situation in Minnesota later, Freeman has no talent?
Now I saw the games you did, but I refuse to believe that #5 is a lost cause.
Jeff Tedford is supposed to be some kind of quarterback guru. Lovie Smith took a leam led by Rex Grossman (also a free agent) to the Super Bowl. And Josh Freeman is a 26-year-old former Pro Bowl quarterback with 14 Franchise records and likely a very big chip on his shoulder .
If anything could get Freeman motivated to turn back into the 2010 version of himself it would be taking the reigns back from Mike Glennon.
Would most of the fan base freak out? Yes. Would he be a worse option (at probably $2 Million) than someone like Grossman or Josh McCown?
No way.
He may not be the A-Train, but the sounds of “Kuuuuuuuuhnnnnnnn” would sound great at Raymond James. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Running Backs
John Kuhn
The Buccaneers need two things in their backfield. A solid fullback to replace Erik Lorig who will likely be a hot commodity as he test free agency, and a viable option on third downs to help spell Doug Martin.
John Kuhn provides both as he not only is an above average run blocker, but does great in pass protection and as a receiver. Additionally, Coach Smith has familiarity as he saw Kuhn first hand as a divisional opponent in Green Bay. Smith has also mentioned how he was very close to Aaron Rodgers. If anyone could vouch for what kind of player Kuhn is, it would be Rodgers.
Not only would Kuhn be a bargain, but I expect this move to happen early on for Tampa Bay.