Josh Freeman Needs to Right the Ship in Tampa Bay to Contend for Playoffs

In the NFL, whichever way the quarterback goes, the team goes. Such the case with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Josh Freeman.

Freeman, the third-year pro out of Kansas State, had a solid season last year, throwing for 3,451 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions while being sacked 28 times.

This season—much like his rookie campaign in 2009 in terms of touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio— has been a little less than stellar. It's been good but it could be better.

Through the first eight games, Freeman's amassed 2,004 passing yards, but his completions are down. He only has eight touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions. Lucky for him though, his offensive line has kept him upright, surrendering only 10 sacks.

So what seems to be the issue with the Bucs? This team was on the cusp of making the playoffs last year. (Insert Jim Mora "playoffs?!" quote here). It's simple. Where the quarterback goes, the team goes.

The Buccaneers sit comfortably in third place after today's 27-16 loss to the New Orleans Saints. They're at .500, which is good for this point in the season.

The bottom line is Josh Freeman needs to reel in his team and re-gain that stellar 2010 form he showed last year. Mike Williams can help out with that too.

Williams' sophomore slump is obviously having an effect on him. If Freeman and Williams can re-gain that rhythm they had—coupled with a little help from Atlanta and New Orleans—Tampa Bay can once again be the dominant team they once were.

Freeman is the unquestioned leader of his team. When things go wrong, they fall predominantly on his shoulders. His teammates are his and the coaches' responsibility. Generally, the team tends to play like their quarterback. Freeman is better than this and he knows it.

Freeman is a solid quarterback and as we saw last year a great leader too. Now it's time for him to start acting like it and right the ship in Tampa. Otherwise that ship will sink, and fast.