Josh Freeman is a free man: Might Raiders be interested?

Just off a season in which Buccaneers quarterback, Josh Freeman, threw for over 4000 yards and 27 touchdowns, he has been released. The relationship between Freeman and the Buccaneers went sour very quickly. He lost his starting job last week in favor of rookie quarterback, Mike Glennon, and now several leaks have sprung of his involvement in the league's drug rehab program and news of at least five team fines this season. Talk about being thrown under the Bucs (I'll be here all week. Tip your server.)

The fifth year quarterback was once seen as the future of the franchise. He led the team to a 10-6 record in his second season with 25 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions - basically the equivalent of Robert Griffin III's dynamic rookie campaign. The following season, things were not quite as good - basically very much like RGIII's second season thus far.

The connection to the Raiders is through Greg Olson who was Freeman's offensive coordinator for three seasons from 2009-2011. Freeman was the every day starter all three seasons. Olson's final season there, the team went 4-12 with Freeman throwing 22 interceptions to just 16 touchdowns.

Things looked up again for Freeman last season and the Bucs rebounded to a respectable 7-9 under first year coach, Greg Schiano. Now Freeman is out and free to sign anywhere he likes. He doesn't have to clear waivers because he is a vested veteran.

The Raiders went from having a QB controversy in the off-season to realized they have no solid option behind Terrelle Pryor when Matt Flynn stunk it up last Sunday against the Redskins. As a result, Flynn is now buried on the depth chart and undrafted rookie Matt McGloin is the first guy off the bench should something happen to Pryor. Not an ideal situation.

Whether the Raiders could be interested or Freeman be interested in them has to do with a couple factors:

First off, would Greg Olson want to work with him? Olson was asked about this fact and he says he is a big fan of his former quarterback.

"I've always been a fan of Josh's," Olson told media following today's practice. "I have a lot of respect for hinm as a person and a player. It was unfortunate for me to watch what happened in Tampa here, really, over the last couple years. He's a great player."

Secondly, does Freeman think a starting job will open up elsewhere as opposed to coming in as a backup in Oakland with a chance to compete for the starting job eventually.

The answer to the second question may have more to do with whether Freeman were to come to Oakland than the first.

Freeman doesn't have to sign anywhere immediately. He could wait for a job to open up ala Jason Campbell's injury in 2011 that brought Carson Palmer to Oakland. We all know too well what kind of deal a player can get from a desperate team.

Freeman is a hot commodity on the market for a team in need of an emergency fill-in. Remember, before the Raiders traded for Palmer, they looked to sign David Garrard before he revealed he had a back injury that required surgery. And Freeman is a heck of a lot more enticing to a team in need than David Garrard ever was.

So, while I think adding Freeman would be a valuable thing, it doesn't seem very likely to happen. Now, if Pryor becomes that player who goes down with injury, leaving the Raiders desperate (again), we have a different story. We'll cross that bridge if/when we come to it.

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