Josh Freeman

Freeman during his tenure at Kansas State.
No. 5     Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1988-01-13) January 13, 1988 (age 24)
Place of birth: Kansas City, Missouri
Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) Weight: 248 lb (112 kg)
Career information
College: Kansas State
NFL Draft: 2009 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17
Debuted in 2009 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Career history
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
College awards and honors NFC Player Of The Week (Week 5 and 17, 2010) FedEx NFL Air Player Of The Week (Week 16 and 17, 2010)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011
TD–INT 51-46 Passing Yards 8,898 QB Rating 79.0 Stats at NFL.com

Joshua Tyler "Josh" Freeman (born January 13, 1988) is the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was selected 17th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State.

High school career[link]

Freeman passed for over 7,000 yards at Grandview High School where he was a four-star rated prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. As a sophomore, he threw for 1,946 yards and 24 passing touchdowns, leading Grandview to a 9–3 record and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Class 4 playoffs. In addition, he set 10 school records during his career at Grandview, including career passing yards (7,175), passing touchdowns (78), attempts (809), completions (385), yards passing in a game (404) and touchdowns in a game (6).^[1] As a junior, he topped 2,400 yards through the air with 23 touchdowns. As a senior, he was the #4 pro-style rated quarterback in the country by Rivals.com as well as being ranked as the #92 overall prospect in the nation by Rivals and the top player in the state of Missouri. He was the #9 quarterback nationally. He led Grandview to a 7–4 record, a district title and a berth in the sectional round of the Missouri state playoffs. He also completed 151-of-286 passes (53%) for 2,622 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2005. He also earned first team Class 4 all-state honors from the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. Freeman was selected to the Kansas City Star All-Metro team and was the 2005 Thomas A. Simone Award winner as the top player in the Kansas City metro area.

College career[link]

Despite being a highly-recruited quarterback prospect, at least one major program wanted the 6' 5" 225 lb. Freeman as a tight end, which his African-American father saw as a racial slight. Freeman said he "didn't see it the same way" at the time, as the school already had a QB recruit from his class. Nevertheless, Freeman was not interested, as his longtime goal was to become an NFL quarterback.^[2] He originally committed to the University of Nebraska to play for former head coach Bill Callahan, but the newly hired head coach at Kansas State, Ron Prince, convinced Freeman to enroll at Kansas State instead.

As a freshman in 2006, Freeman appeared in 11 of 13 games that season, including starts in the final eight contests of 2006. He took over at quarterback during the second half at Baylor and directed the Kansas State offense the rest of the season. He passed for a Kansas State freshman record 1,780 yards on 140-of-270 passing (52%). He became the first true freshman to start a game at Kansas State since 1976. Additionally, he had consecutive 250+ yard passing games against Colorado and Texas, marking the first time a Kansas State quarterback had done so since Michael Bishop in 1998. He attempted a Kansas State freshman-record 47 passes against Nebraska, completing 23 for 272 yards. He earned his first career start against Oklahoma State and led the Wildcats to a comeback win. He finished the game 10-for-15 passing for 177 yards and ran for a game-winning 21-yard touchdown with 1:11 to go in the game. In 2007, he set new single-season school records for pass attempts, completions and yards after throwing for 3,353 yards and 18 touchdowns on 316-of-499 passing. In 2008, Freeman was 224 of 382 passing for 2,945 yards and 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season for a passer rating of 132.9. The 14 rushing touchdowns were the fourth-most in a single season by a Wildcat quarterback.^[3]

In his three year collegiate career, Freeman completed 680 passes for 8,078 yards and 44 touchdowns and 34 interceptions in 35 career games. He accumulated a school-record 8,427 total yards and joined Ell Roberson as the only quarterbacks in Kansas State history to score at least 60 touchdowns.

College statistics[link]

^[4]

College awards and honors[link]

• Earned honorable mention freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News (2006).
• Earned three national player-of-the-week honors after a win over Texas in 2006, including Cingular All-America Player of the Week, the Walter Camp Foundation Offensive Player of the Week and the Master Coaches Survey Player of the Week.
• Big 12 Conference Co-Offensive Player of the week (September 2, 2008)
• USA Today College Football Player of the Week (Named on October 15, 2008)
• 2008 honorable mention All-America selection by Pro Football Weekly.

Professional career[link]

2009 NFL Draft[link]

Freeman was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (17th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He entered the 2009 NFL Draft with one year of college eligibility left.^[5] The Bucs later agreed to terms with Freeman on a five-year, $26 million contract, a deal that (if Freeman achieves his incentives) could balloon to as much as $36 million.^[6]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers[link]

2009[link]

On November 8, 2009, Freeman started his first professional game at home against the Green Bay Packers. The Buccaneers won, ending an 11-game losing streak. He completed 14 out of 31 passes for 205 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 1 INT, including a fourth down touchdown pass to rookie Sammie Stroughter to take the lead, 31–28 late in the game. Freeman became the youngest quarterback in Bucs history to start and win his first game. On December 27, 2009 he led his Buccaneers to a 20–17 overtime win over the 13–1 New Orleans Saints preventing them from clinching the 1st seed in the playoffs for 1 more week.

2010[link]

Josh Freeman began the 2010 season as the starting quarterback. He started all 16 games of the season, the first since Brad Johnson had done it in 2003. On December 26, 2010, Freeman completed 21 of 26 pass attempts for 227 yards and 5 touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks, matching a franchise record for touchdowns in a game. On January 1, 2011 Freeman completed 21 of 26 pass attempts for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns against the playoff-bound New Orleans Saints. Both performances won him the FedEx Air Player of the Week. He was awarded NFC Player Of The Week on Week 5 and 17. He led the team to a winning record of 10–6, barely missing the playoffs. He was also named as an alternate for the 2011 Pro Bowl.

Statistics[link]

Buccaneers franchise records[link]

• Highest quarterback rating in a single season - 95.9 (2010) (in 16 starts)^[8]
• Most 4th quarter comeback wins in a single season- 5 (2010) (tied with Doug Williams)^[9]
• Most game winning drives in a single season- 5 (2010)^[10]
• Most touchdown passes thrown in consecutive games (2010)^[11]

Personal[link]

His father, Ron, was a hall of fame linebacker for Pittsburg State University and also played in the United States Football League with the Pittsburgh Maulers (1984) and Orlando Renegades (1985). Freeman's brother, Caleb, was recruited to Missouri to play linebacker in 2008. He was red-shirted.^[12]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Josh Freeman Football Camp
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bio
• Kansas State Bio

Raheem Morris (born September 3, 1976) is the defensive backs coach for the Washington Redskins. He has served as head coach and defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was hired by the Buccaneers as head coach on January 17, 2009 after previous head coach Jon Gruden was fired after seven seasons.^[1] Morris was fired on January 2, 2012.

Coaching career[link]

Early years[link]

Morris graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in physical education in 1998 after playing safety at Hofstra from 1994 to 1997. That same year he began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Hofstra University, where he was responsible for coaching the offensive scout team, developing scouting reports and handling video breakdown and computer input and analysis. In 1999, he was hired by Cornell University as their defensive backs coach and special teams assistant. After 1999, he went back to Hofstra to be defensive back coach. Also, in 2001, he spent time as a defensive minority intern with the New York Jets.

First stint with Buccaneers[link]

Before the 2002 season, Morris was hired by the Buccaneers to become their defensive quality control coach, where he helped them have the top-ranked defense and win the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl, beating the Oakland Raiders 48–21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. In 2003, he became a defensive assistant. From 2004 to 2005 he was the assistant defensive backs coach. After 2005 he went to Kansas State to be their defensive coordinator.

Kansas State[link]

Morris spent one season with the Kansas State Wildcats in 2006, as defensive coordinator under then-head coach Ron Prince. He helped improve the defense in several statistical categories including total defense, scoring defense and pass defense. He helped the Wildcats upset the #4 Texas Longhorns during the 2006 season.

Second stint with Buccaneers[link]

Before the 2007 season, Morris returned to the Buccaneers to be their defensive backs coach, replacing Greg Burns. After the teams pass defense fell to 19th in 2006, Morris helped the pass defense achieve the league’s top ranking in 2007.

Head coach[link]

In December 2008, it was announced that Morris would take over as defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers for the 2009 season after Monte Kiffin announced that he would be leaving the team to join his son, Lane Kiffin, at Tennessee.^[2] Just a month later on January 16, 2009, head coach Jon Gruden was fired by the Buccaneers and Morris was named the team's head coach.^[1] Morris had also interviewed for head coach with the Denver Broncos before being hired by Tampa Bay.^[3]

After starting the season 0–7, Morris earned his first victory as a head coach in week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. On November 24, 2009 Morris took over defensive coordinator duties after relieving Jim Bates of his duties.^[4] He finished his first year as the head coach, leading the team to last in the NFC South with a 3–13 record. In his second season, the team finished 10-6, barely missing the playoffs. That seven game turnaround was the best in franchise history.

In 2010, Morris became the first coach since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger to start at least 10 rookies and finish with a winning record.^[5]

During Week 13 of the 2011 NFL season, against the Carolina Panthers, Morris banished defensive tackle Brian Price from the sideline after Price shoved Panthers guard Mackenzy Bernadeau well after the end of a third-quarter play in which Cam Newton was sacked for a four-yard loss. Price was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Morris was incensed because the sack would have forced the Panthers into a 3rd-and-14 situation. However, the resulting 15-yard penalty gave the Panthers a first down, allowing them to complete a touchdown drive that put the game out of reach (the Panthers won 38-19).^[6] After the game, a visibly angry Morris called Price's actions "foolish" and "selfish." The move drew comparisons to then San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary banishing Vernon Davis from the sideline after a personal foul in 2008.^[7]. On January 2, 2012, Morris was fired as head coach of the Buccaneers after a 4-12 season, including losing their last ten games.^[8]

Washington Redskins[link]

On January 11, 2012, Morris was hired by the Washington Redskins to be their defensive backs coach.

Head coaching record[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. It includes attribution to IMDb, which may not be a reliable source for biographical information. Please help by adding additional, reliable sources for verification. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (November 2008)

Oliver on Philadelphia Eagles sideline at 2009 NFC Wild Card Game.

Pamela Donielle "Pam" Oliver (born March 10, 1961) is an American sportscaster known for her work on the sidelines for various NBA and NFL games.

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Oliver was born in Dallas, Texas. With her father being in the U.S. Air Force, Oliver and her family moved several times during her childhood, Texas, Michigan, Washington, California and Florida. Instead of watching children's shows, Oliver preferred watching sports.

Education[link]

As a teenager, Oliver lived in Niceville, Florida, where she attended Niceville High School. In high school, Oliver excelled in tennis, basketball, and track and field. After graduating, Oliver enrolled at Florida A&M University, where she continued her track endeavors, becoming a college All-American in both the 400-meter and the mile relay. Oliver earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and graduated in 1984.

Professional career[link]

Oliver began her broadcasting career at WALB in Albany, Georgia in 1985 as a news reporter. The next year, Oliver moved to WAAY-TV in Huntsville, Alabama. After that stop, Oliver moved to WIVB-TV in Buffalo, New York in 1988. Two years later in 1990, Oliver moved to WTVT in Tampa, Florida, where she began her career as a sports anchor in 1991. Oliver moved to KHOU-TV in Houston, where she continued to be a sports anchor. In 1993, Oliver joined the sports television network ESPN. In 1995, Oliver joined Fox Sports, where she worked as a sideline reporter at NFL games. In 2005, Oliver joined TNT as a sideline reporter for their NBA Playoffs coverage. Pam Oliver also has her own dressing room at the new Cowboys Stadium with her name on a star on the door.

Awards[link]

• Ebony magazine - Outstanding Woman in Journalism - 2004

References[link]

• http://sports.rightpundits.com/?p=125

External links[link]

• Pam Oliver at the Internet Movie Database