Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Six

By: Matt Harmon

Vikings Sign QB Josh Freeman

• We do not have to use this space to discuss what happened with Josh Freeman in Tampa because I have already written extensively on that subject, but just getting out of that toxic situation will be good for him. What is important is that we examine how Freeman is going to fit with his new team. First off: while I do think Freeman will need a few weeks to learn the offense, you would be kidding yourself if you think Freeman is not starting for this team soon. Also, Bill Musgrave is not exactly running a real complicated offensive operation up there in Minnesota. Unless this signing lights a fire under Christian Ponder and he experiences a revival, Freeman will be under center in a few weeks at most. Freeman has the big arm and athleticism to create a lot of room on the field for Adrian Peterson, and he is coming into an offense that has some weapons to work with. If Freeman still has the burning desire it requires to be great and is willing to put in the work, this move has all kinds of upside for both player and team. Freeman is only signed for one year, so if he goes out and plays well to help the Vikings win some games, he will be set up to cash in big time in the offseason, and if he plays to his potential the Vikings could turn their season around, and could finally have an answer at this position. I wouldn’t bet my money on Freeman suddenly turning into a good player, but he is still very talented, and has just been dropped into a very favorable situation. Let’s just hope he recognizes that and seizes the opportunity. 
  

Falcons Could Potentially Lose WR Julio Jones for the Rest of the Season

• I don’t need to tell you how devastating of an injury this is. I told you all before the season that the passing game was about the only thing right for the Falcons and Jones was having an All-Pro season and was second in the NFL in receiving yards. The team is still sending Jones for a second opinion on his injured foot, but Jay Glazer reported that they are not optimistic about his chances. This is just a killer injury to a team that has already taken a major step back from their Super Bowl hopeful standards. Without Jones, and with Roddy White still hobbled, teams can feel free to use that bracket-bump coverage we have seen on Tony Gonzalez (man he has to be regretting coming back to this mess) and Atlanta really does not have anyone else defenses need to worry about in the passing game. Amid horrific pass protection, I already thought Matt Ryan was having a sub-par season, and now without one of the best receivers in the game at his disposal, he could get worse from here. Atlanta is going to fall way short of that 9-7 record I predicted for them, and without Jones on an already bad roster, a six win season would not surprise me. Atlanta has had a great run under Mike Smith and Matt Ryan, but this team looks in need of a serious reload at the very least. Ownership was already very frustrated with the lack of playoff wins by this team heading into last season, and you have to wonder how Arthur Blank will feel about this team’s fall from grace and if there will be major consequences. It seemed impossible to consider any of that going into this season, but this previously great organization has let this roster fall apart.