A few years ago Josh Freeman was anointed as one of the “Next Great Quarterbacks,” not only by coaches, scouts and commentators, but even his fellow NFL players according to the NFL Network’s annual Top 100 list. Now, just a handful of seasons later Freeman is barely hanging on, signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins to be their third-string quarterback.
#Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey on WQAM says he had QB Josh Freeman in to throw to WRs they were evaluating. Then they ended up signing him.
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonFL) April 3, 2015
Freeman’s fall came fast and hard and is emblematic of a problem I see all too often in the NFL, especially with quarterbacks. Teams give up on players too soon and once a player like Freeman has that stench of failure on him, it’s hard for him to get rid of it.
Freeman’s career seemed to be on the right track, even when Tampa Bay made the unconscionable mistake of hiring former Rutger’s stiff Greg Schiano as its head coach in 2012. Freeman had a decent season, throwing for 4,065 yards and 27 touchdowns with 17 picks. His completion percentage was too low, at 54.8, but there was room to grow there. Three games into 2013, Schiano had given up on him completely and cutting him on October 8, 2013. Freeman ended up in Minnesota and played in just one game. In 2014 he did not end up on an NFL team.
Josh Freeman wants to be like Kurt Warner http://t.co/3mNpgOOhZp
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 3, 2015
Freeman is a former first-round pick, and that in itself is not enough to keep him in the league, but as a starter for the Bucs he was never terrible and, at times, was even good. How does a guy, who’s healthy, who threw 27 touchdowns two years ago not get a job? Does Ryan Lindley or Matt McGloin really give you a better chance to win than Freeman? I don’t see it.
Are the Dolphins the best place for Freeman? Maybe. Miami offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is one of the better young minds in football right now. He could very well end up being the guy that resurrects a promising, if snakebit quarterback’s career.
Sammy Watkins reportedly had hip surgery
ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported Friday that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins had surgery on an area near his hip at some point before the Super Bowl. Watkins hurt his hip in a Week 13 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Watkins continued playing even with the injury, appearing in all 16 games for the Bills and leading the team in receiving with 65 catches for 982 yards and six touchdowns. The hip injury was just one of many for Watkins in his rookie campaign. He battled broken ribs in the preseason and a groin injury midway through 2014.
Bills WR Sammy Watkins had surgery in the area of his hip before the Super Bowl. (via Josina Anderson) pic.twitter.com/ysMLdfmnPQ
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 3, 2015
While it’s unknown whether Watkins will be ready for organized team activities on the horizon, no one seems worried he’ll miss any real playing time. Watkins should benefit from some tremendous updates in Buffalo’s offense with the addition of LeSean McCoy to the backfield along with Percy Harvin on the other side at wide receiver. If E.J. Manuel can’t get the job done the Bills traded for Matt Cassel and will also be looking at possibly adding a quarterback in the second round of the upcoming NFL draft. The Bills are without first and fourth round picks this year, using them to trade up to get Watkins last season.
Broncos add defensive tackle Antonio Smith
Just three days after being released by the Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Antonio Smith has found a new job in the same division. The Denver Broncos added Smith to their depleted defensive line for a one-year, $2 million contract.
Smith will reunite with his former head coach with the Houston Texans Gary Kubiak, as well as his defensive line coach Bill Kollar.
Despite his lack of production in 2014, Smith drew interest from multiple teams including the Texans. Last year Smith recorded 20 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble.
Joseph Morgan out of the doghouse and back with Saints
The New Orleans Saints cut fourth-year wideout Joseph Morgan back in December for undisclosed reasons, but evidently made peace with the former Walsh University wideout. Morgan signed a one-year deal with the Saints Friday. Plays like this one in the Saints’ Tweet below tell you why they aren’t ready to give up on the former undrafted free agent.
#Saints sign WR Joe Morgan (@jmthegreat) to a 1-year deal: http://t.co/B6AC5JNnwx pic.twitter.com/m80WVvp5Ap
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 3, 2015
Morgan has played in only 19 games in his four-year career and just five last season, catching four passes for 92 yards. Morgan was suspended by the Saints for two games last year.
