Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bench Josh Freeman and Hope for Answers

Another week. Another loss. The questions—and doubts—raised by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 0-3 record resulted in quarterback Josh Freeman landing on the bench, according to CBS Sports. The Mike Glennon era has begun.

The heat just turned up under Greg Schiano.

Freeman's play under center this year was abysmal. Not even his strongest supporters can argue that he played like the franchise quarterback he is expected to be. He looks lost before the snap, misses his receivers and simply could not make the plays he needs to make.

Freeman's benching nailed the coffin shut on his distinction as the Bucs' quarterback of the future. He is damaged goods. Coming out of Kansas State in 2009, Freeman was a raw prospect. Unfortunately for him, he did not have a Harbaugh, a Payton or a McCarthy to develop him. Instead, he had Raheem "Youngry for Anything but Discipline" Morris and Greg "When Do I Get to Run a Victory Formation" Schiano.

ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas believes the Buccaneers should trade Freeman. Good luck. Benching an impending free agent quarterback who owns the worst stats in the league gives Freeman the trade value of a tackling dummy. If general manager Mark Dominik manages to get anything for Freeman, he should reconsider careers and become a hostage negotiator.

The Mike Glennon Mob, such as they are, is no doubt pleased with this turn of events. Unfortunately for them, they are likely in for a rude awakening this Sunday.

In case anyone missed the preseason, Glennon is not ready for the NFL. In the preseason, he completed 47.1 percent of his passes and threw three touchdowns and three interceptions. He wilts under pressure, cannot read defenses and is as mobile as a quarterback sitting on his couch. Does this sound familiar?

The problem is: Freeman is not the (only) problem. Wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams developed a case of the dropsies over the offseason and have a hard time staying healthy. There is no receiver depth behind them. Running back Doug Martin struggles to get going behind a line featuring a guard with a bum knee, a guard with a bum foot and tackle Donald Penn, who looks like he is on a severe downslide.

I won't mention the tight end position, but only because it appears no one at One Buc Place has either.

Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan looks like a one-trick pony. He calls an offense that is better suited for XBOX. Stopping the Bucs requires only that a defense sell out on the run and make the receivers beat them with jump balls on every pass play.

In benching Freeman for Glennon, Greg Schiano is now on notice. He gets to play his guy, but now its on Schiano. There will be no assigning blame to Freeman for what is shaping up to be a dismal season. The Buccaneers spent the last four years building a decent roster packed with eight Pro Bowlers and more than a few future stars.

Greg Schiano is out of excuses. He needs to win now, or his tenure in Tampa will be a lot shorter than he expected.