Vikings and Raiders Are Front Runners For Josh Freeman

Sep 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) slides for a first down during the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

The developing Josh Freeman saga just keeps developing, much like the headache I am getting from endlessly refreshing Twitter. But enough about my problems, here’s the latest on Freeman. According to Jay Glazer, four teams – the Bills, 49ers, Raiders and Vikings – are interested in Freeman. And right now the two front-runners are the Raiders and, yes, the Vikings.

Earlier, Chris Mortensen reported that the Vikings are “intrigued” by Freeman but “have questions” about him. Those questions could be character-related or they could simply be related to the drop-off in Freeman’s production since his great season in 2010 (please don’t throw out his 4,000-yard passing total from 2012; his completion percentage was dismal and his QB rating was mediocre). It’s a question that needs to be asked. Did Freeman regress because of his own work habits and/or mechanical flaws or was it simply all the turmoil with the coaching staff and organization that held back his progress?

The Vikes are evidently in the process of finding out those answers. Of course there’s another possibility that has to be thrown out there: could the Vikes be sending out reports of their interest in Freeman as a way of lighting a fire under Christian Ponder? Ponder knows Matt Cassel is a short-term solution at QB and not a threat to him when it comes to his long-term prospects. But if Ponder thinks the Vikes are looking at other potential long-term QBs? That sends a strong message to him about his future. Namely, that he won’t have one unless he cleans up his decision-making and mechanical issues.

Of course that begs another question: If Ponder still needs that kind of motivation in his third year, maybe it’s just hopeless with him. So many questions, so few actual answers. Just lots of speculation to liven up an otherwise dull no-Vikings Sunday.

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