NFL: Ranking Quarterbacks who were one-hit wonders
By Nick Villano
NFL: Ranking Quarterbacks who were one-hit wonders: 14. Josh Freeman
Josh Freeman was one of the many “quarterbacks to save the Buccaneers” that just never came to fruition. It all started with Vinny Testaverde and it was a long list of failures all the way to Jameis Winston. Freeman was a first-round pick in 2009, and he got his first professional start in November. He won his first game against the Packers, ending an 11-game losing streak and really getting some excitement for Bucs fans. Things were a little rough, as Freeman was an interception machine as a rookie, but at least there was promise.
In his second season, Freeman looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He threw for 25 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. He turned the Bucs record around, winning 10 games in Tampa for just the second time since winning the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. The Bucs thought they had one of the next great quarterbacks, and the stats showed it to be true.
The next season, something went wrong, and the interceptions flowed once again. He threw more picks than touchdowns, and the Buccaneers record tanked with each turnover. 22 interceptions is just not a number anybody wants from their quarterback. It was better the next season, as Freeman threw for 27 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, but there was never another season like 2010.
Things went from bad to worse in 2013. He seemed like the obvious starter, but rifts in the locker room and with the coaching staff led to him being cut in the first month of the season. He was picked up by the Miami Dolphins, but he never found success again. His issues just took away from his talent, and he was out of the league with quickness after it unravelled in Tampa.