Tampa Bay Buccaneers Search Philosophy: Isn't This All About No. 5?

Let's take a quick timeout and talk about what this coaching search for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is supposed to accomplish.

You've seen an array of names with varied resumes. Offensive guys, defensive guys, old guys and plenty of them.

What is the real underlying theme for this franchise? Mark Dominik has already told us that:

"It's all about [No.] 5," he told us a long time ago.

That is an important mantra at One Buccaneer Place. It is all about Josh Freeman. Freeman was drafted with the belief that he is a true "franchise quarterback." Look around the league and you know what that means.

Here's where things get sketchy. There are some questions popping up, especially after this horrible, horrible season we just witnessed, as to Freeman's true potential, his true capacity to be that "franchise" quarterback.

The good news is that he has shown signs of true brilliance, as he did during the 2010 season. The bad news is he looked the way he looked in 2011.

When you look at the guy from a physical standpoint, he's exactly what you would draw up—6'6", 260, good arm, can make throws. But the haunting question remains: Is Josh Freeman the next Ben Roethlisberger or the next Joe Flacco?

Basically, the Buccaneers bet their future on Freeman, at the urging of former coach Raheem Morris.

If Freeman is more Flacco than Roethlisberger, then this franchise is in trouble for a long time.

Which brings us back to this ongoing interview process over there at One Buccaneer Place.

Mike Zimmer's in today. But does a guy like Zimmer have the ability to bring in someone to help No. 5?

The Bucs have asked for and received permission to speak with Packers QB coach Tom Clements. And when you look at his body of work with the most important position on the field, you've got to think a guy like that can do a world of good for No. 5. At the worst, he would be able to find out if No. 5 can hack it or not, if he's a Roethlisberger or a Flacco.

The Bucs have also asked to interview Joe Philbin from Green Bay, but you have to wonder if his mind and heart are truly in to all of this right now, considering the recent tragic loss of his son.

Whatever happens, the Dominik-Glazer rock-turning expedition continues. They're turning over a lot of stones, that's for certain.

You can't help but wonder what they're going to find.

But in the end, isn't it all about No. 5?