Josh Freeman to the Raiders? Sure Sounds Like a Possible Fit

Josh Freeman, like other QBs in the dreaded Class of 2009, has had a strange career arc. Freeman was bad early – 18 interceptions as a rookie – then rebounded for an impressive sophomore campaign that saw him toss 25 TDs against just six interceptions. The Bucs went 10-6 and the future looked promising.

Once expectations rose, Freeman fell – precipitously – in year three before rebounding for 4,065 yards and 27 TDs in year four. But Tampa stunk, and the coaching change didn’t help. Freeman clashed with Greg Schiano, and in October, the Bucs released him. Days later, he signed with Minnesota. In limited time with the Vikings, Freeman looked terrible. He’s almost certain to be cut by the Vikings, who have a new coaching staff.

Where will Freeman land? Oakland appears to make the most sense. It’s a logical fit, according to CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair, because the Oakland’s new offensive coordinator is Greg Olson. He was Freeman’s offensive coordinator for three years in Tampa. Oakland is going to be in the market for a QB after Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin played well at times last year, but both were woefully inconsistent. Pryor absorbed 31 sacks and McGloin completed 55 percent of his passes. But the young QBs did have below-average skill position players – that will definitely be an area the Raiders seek to improve in free agency and the draft.

A trio of McGloin, Pryor and Freeman is serviceable, but this is definite – if they draft Sammy Watkins 5th overall, whoever wins the job is going to occasionally look really, really good.