Turnout Solidifies Freeman as Bucs' Leader

Quarterback Josh Freeman and more than 50 teammates arrived on the grounds of IMG Academies on Tuesday for the first of a three-day Tampa Bay Buccaneers minicamp that may prove to be more beneficial for the franchise than any of the other 31 teams embroiled in the NFL lockout.

The 6-foot-6, 248-pound Freeman, who has started 25 of the Buccaneers’ last 32 games since he was selected by the organization in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, is just 23 years old. One would think that he would have plenty of time to realize the potential he displayed during last year’s Pro Bowl season, but Freeman realized a team, especially one that went 10-6 despite being the youngest squad in the league, was susceptible to idle time the longer the work stoppage lingered.

Throughout the lockout, Freeman has worked with some of his receivers in unorganized sessions away from the prying eyes of coaches and team personnel. Although he tried to deflect some of the credit for being the ringleader of the Bucs’ unsanctioned and unofficial minicamp, it was Freeman who made countless phone calls and worked with 2000 Heisman Trophy winner and current IMG Madden Football Academy Director Chris Weinke on organizing the sessions and lining up IMG personnel to serve as position coaches.

In the process, Freeman demonstrated to the Tampa Bay and national media that he has only strengthened his bond with his teammates during the lockout.

“(The minicamp’s turnout) just says that we have a hungry team,” Freeman said. “Going out and winning football games next season is really important to all our guys. There are a couple of guys who are unsure of the contract situation and were advised by their agents to sit it out. We got a lot of passionate dudes taking time out of their schedule to be here and get on the same page.”

Freeman would like everyone to believe that it is the team captain and starting quarterback’s duty to attempt to organize his team. Wide receiver Sammie Stroughter feels it extends beyond simple expectations with Freeman.

“Josh is a great leader, and you’re starting to see him grow every day,” Stroughter said. “With me coming in at the same time that he came in, it was really good to see him take off. It has inspired me to become a better person on and off the field.”

Stroughter, a former Oregon State wide receiver, feels that Freeman has commanded his teammates' respect and that there is more accountability associated with this minicamp than any other he has experienced since being taken by the Bucs in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Players such as wide receiver Maurice Stovall and defensive back Aqib Talib, along with the team’s young superstars in Freeman and defensive lineman Gerald McCoy, have become more like player/coaches without the presence of head coach Raheem Morris or any other member of the Tampa Bay staff.

“It’s the camaraderie and the high standard that Josh holds us to,” Stroughter said. “He also holds himself to the same high standard. He’s going to push himself to the utmost, and he expects the same thing from us.”