Excellent post about QB Josh Freeman written by this week's guest write-in winner Danny Bamber

After reviewing several entries, mostly very interesting opinions, we have chosen Danny Bamber's entry as this weeks winner of our Guest Write-In contest. Congratulations Daniel. Here's your entry:

Entering his rookie season, Josh Freeman was somewhat waiting in the wings for his opportunity despite the Bucs trading up to get him. Newly acquired QB Byron Leftwich started the season and lasted only 3 weeks as the regular season starter, as backup QB Josh Johnson made his first career NFL start @ Washington in week 4. Shortly after another stint of disappointing starts Josh Freeman found himself under center against the New England Patriots @ Wembley stadium in the UK. After a bye week, Freeman made his first career NFL start at home against the Packers. After the Bucs made an impressive rally to come back and defeat the Packers, the question was, why didn’t we start Freeman week 1?  Freeman went on to finish the season as the starting QB and finished with 10 TD and 18 INT. Freeman’s impact was more than visible.

Entering his first full-season as an NFL starter, Josh Freeman showed why the Bucs traded up and picked him 17th overall in the 2009 draft. He was throwing the ball to WR's Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn and Sammie Stroughter. At that time they were two rookies and a sophomore. Freeman and the young offense showed maturity well beyond their years. He quickly established himself as one of the best young QB’s In the NFL. He broke and tied franchise records. He broke the Buccaneers franchise record for the highest quarterback rating in a single season as Freeman posted a 95.9 QB rating in 16 starts. He also tied Doug Williams franchise record for the most 4th quarter comeback wins in a single season at 5. His tremendous play got recognized and he was named a pro-bowl alternate as he lead the Bucs to a 10-6 record.

2011 was a struggle to say the least. Freeman and the rest of the team’s play regressed and the youth of the football team really showed. Why did Freeman and the team’s play regress? Well this was a young team ready to make a jump to the next level and become a playoff team and having no offseason really hurt the Bucs. The Bucs played a harder field of opponents than the previous year and the offense became very predictable as Blount’s play had limitations and the Bucs were always behind and playing catch-up. Another reason why the Bucs regressed was because Freeman had a sprained right thumb for several weeks; and despite denying it affecting his play, it clearly did as Freeman’s accuracy was very inconsistent. A disappointing season after showing all that promise in 2010. Freeman said all the right things and blamed himself for the team’s poor season as he held himself accountable. It was very unfair to blame Freeman for all the disappointments in 2011.

What will we see from Josh Freeman in 2012? I think he’s in for a big rebound-type of season. Freeman has come into the OTA’s (organized team activities) 20 pounds lighter. In his short pro career this is by far the best personnel Freeman has been surrounded by. Newly acquired pro bowl WR Vincent Jackson is going to have a big impact on Freeman. Jackson is a go-to receiver who can stretch the field and make others around him more effective. The Bucs also acquired pro bowl OG Carl Nicks who bolsters the O-line. The Bucs now have two of the best Offensive Guards in football which will make the running game more effective; which also makes the play action fake more effective. The addition of Doug Martin also really helps Freeman. Josh knows he has a 3-down back who he can depend on, both as a runner and as a receiver. Freeman is also surrounded by a very high character, intelligent staff; and maybe the biggest reason why Freeman is ready for a bounce back season is because of new OC Mike Sullivan. Coach Sullivan comes from a winning background and was a big reason why Eli Manning had a bounce back season and got his name mentioned along with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees, as one of the best QB’s in the league.  I think Freeman is in for a big season. He has the talent and skill-set to be a franchise QB in this league. With Freeman in the best shape of his life, and now with some new toys to play with, and a very intelligent and structured coaching staff to work with, I’m expecting big things out of number 5 this year.