Looking for a fresh start with a new team after time spent under much duress with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quarterback Josh Freeman will get his first start for the Minnesota Vikings under the bright lights of Monday Night Football against the winless New York Giants in Week 7, according to head coach Todd Frazier.
"Our anticipation is he will play well," Frazier told ESPN.
Freeman was released by the Bucs after a rift occurred between him and coach Greg Schiano that eventually led to Freeman being relieved of his starting duties. Freeman was also stripped of his team captaincy due to reports that circulated claiming he lost the locker room after showing up late to a team picture and his falling out with Schiano. The team took away the 'C' from Freeman's jersey after a vote.
Freeman's rocky relationship with Tampa Bay reached its nadir when he was forced to watch a game at Raymond James Field from high atop the field in a skybox after he was demoted from No.1 starter to No.3 starter and wasn't suited up for the game. Rookie Mike Glennon took over the starting role and Freeman was eventually released.
Then, Freeman's participation in the NFL's drug program was leaked to the press; the NFL has been looking into the Bucs organization to see who leaked the information to the media and invaded the fifth year quarterback's privacy.
Now, it's a new turn of the page for Freeman as he hopes that his clean slate from the Vikings will lead to some success on the field. Christian Ponder, who was sidelined with a rib injury, will back Freeman up in Monday's game. Matt Cassel started the last two weeks in place of Freeman but will now be relegated to third string.
Minnesota has just one win on the year to bring its record to 1-4, and is hopeful that a change under center could lead the team to some success.
Minnesota picked up Freeman following his release, and the former first round draft pick will get his first chance to shine against the 0-6 Giants in prime time. Through three starts with Tampa Bay before his demotion, Freeman went 43-for-94 (45.7%) for 571 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Following his demotion, Freeman acknowledged that a change of scenery would be good for him.
"The bottom line is, if you want things to change, something has got to change. At the end of the day, yes. I think that moving forward that might be, that is going to be probably the best option," Freeman said last month about ending his time with the Bucs before he was released.
On Monday night, Freeman gets that change he's been striving for so when the lights are on and the national TV cameras are rolling, it's up to Freeman to see what he can do when given a fresh start.
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