NFL Fact or Fiction: Buccaneers' Josh Freeman Will Be Next Ben Roethlisberger

Josh Freeman is beginning to grow into his own down in Tampa. No small feat given the QB's massive size (6'5" 240 lbs).

He's drawing all sorts of comparisons in his third year in the league, but a more popular thought is he resembles Ben Roethlisberger more than anyone.

So is Josh Freeman becoming the new Ben Roethlisberger a fact or fiction?

By the Numbers

Freeman has a better completion percentage, thrown less interceptions, thrown for only 12 less touchdowns in eight less games started, and had the same amount of fourth-quarter comebacks.

However, Roethlisberger was better offensively in nearly every other offensive statistic in his first three years.

He also won a Super Bowl ring, something Freeman is years away from winning on the Bucs.

Roethlisberger averaged more yards, completions and touchdowns in his first three years.

The fourth-quarter comebacks stat is where you can really see the resemblance. Freeman remains cool under pressure, and is always ready to lead his team to victory. The game against Minnesota earlier this year is a prime example of Freeman's comeback ability.

Moveability

Both men are surprisingly mobile for being 6'5" 240 lbs.

Freeman is more of a pocket passer than Big Ben was in his early years. Roethlisberger was, and still is, excellent at extending plays and making something out of nothing.

Freeman's running ability is more focused on escaping pressure and scrambling around the pocket. He has the ability to rip off first-down runs like the one against the Colts on Monday Night Football, but would prefer to sit back and fire from the pocket.

College Careers

Both men come from less than spectacular college programs.

Roethlisberger came out of Miami of Ohio, and Freeman played for the Kansas State Wildcats.

Roethlisberger put up the better passing stats, but Freeman had more rushing touchdowns. Both men set records at their respective schools, and were highly touted coming out of college.

While Roethlisberger was already viewed as NFL ready by most pundits, Freeman was considered more of a work in progress.

Off the Field

This is where Freeman's and Roethlisberger's career fork in the road.

Roethlisberger has had his fair share of off-the-field issues such as the motorcycle accident in 2006 and sexual allegations in 2008 and 2010.

Freeman has been as quiet as possible away from the game. Even when presented an opportunity to be more vocal on national television, he remained stoic.

Just like the Bucs team he plays for, Freeman puts up solid numbers while flying under virtually everyone's radar.

Body Language and Attitude

Just as their off-field paths differ, so do their attitudes on the field.

I'm going to attempt to relate this in a family-style analogy. Roethlisberger is the fun uncle that takes you to sporting events and lets you try a beer at the game. Freeman is the calm and collective dad waiting to yell at you without raising his tone of voice when you get home.

The word, "cool" is often used to describe Freeman when he's on the field, and he acts like he's a modern day Iceman. Roethlisberger will jump and high five anyone he can find, while Freeman heads to the sidelines to talk to the offensive coordinator.

I don't mean to say one method is better than the other, but just to point out the differences in how each man carries himself on the field. Roethlisberger is the more vocal leader, while Freeman would rather his play do the talking.

Supporting Cast

Ben Roethlisberger's supporting cast was undoubtedly better than what Josh Freeman finds himself surrounded by.

Roethlisberger had all-pro Jerome Bettis to run the locker room as well as punch the ball in the end zone. He also had Willie Parker to eat up yards on the ground.

Freeman saw the Bucs play musical chairs with RBs his first year, and is finally getting a solid No. 1 option with LeGarrette Blount.

In the air, Roethlisberger had future Hall of Famer Hines Ward to toss the ball to.

Freeman had a good connection with Mike Williams, but Williams has fallen off the face of the earth. Recently, Arrelious Benn has emerged as the No. 1 target for Freeman.

Big Ben also had three pro bowlers on the defensive side to hold off other teams' offense. The Bucs defense can barely manage to keep the same starting cast week in and week out.

Verdict?

It's really a matter of how you look at it. Freeman has done a lot considering the players he's surrounded with. The Bucs have built their franchise around him, and as Freeman goes, so do the Bucs.

Roethlisberger has a ring from his second year and put up better numbers but you can't argue that the Steelers teams of 2004-06 weren't better than the 2009-2011 Buccaneers teams.

Moving forward, hopefully the Bucs can become a title threat in the NFC. If they hope to achieve that goal, Freeman will need to put up numbers like his 2010 campaign while other players need to step up and help him as well.

LeGarrette Blount has proven to be a reliable back, but will need to work on his blocking if coaches are going to give him more carries.

The WRs for the Bucs need to be more consistent to give Freeman a solid No. 1 option. Mike Williams had disappeared, and Arrelious Benn needs to build upon his recent success.

Freeman certainly could grow into the next Ben Roethlisberger, but the talent around him needs to get better so he can put a ring on it.