When Buccaneers left tackle Donald Penn said Tuesday, “It's like they're really trying to bring [Josh Freeman] down," maybe he was on to something.
With as much has been leaked about Freeman in the last week, Sports Illustrated had more to reveal Wednesday evening, writing the Freeman had been fined by the Buccaneers twice in the past month for conduct detrimental to the team and that Tampa Bay was considering a suspension for its now No. 3 quarterback.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that the fines totaled $31,500, including $10,000 for giving ESPN that unauthorized interview last week. The team also reportedly fined him for missing a team meeting.
Freeman reportedly has appealed those fines.
“The fine potentially sets up a scenario under which Tampa Bay can suspend Freeman without pay,” SI’s Jim Trotter writes. “That would allow the team to attempt to trade the fifth-year QB while not paying a portion of his salary.”
In other words, things in Tampa Bay still aren’t good between the team and Freeman.
Wonders a former Buccaneers operations employee:
Somebody is really out to torch Josh Freeman's reputation. More stuff keeps leaking. Why would people keep doing this?
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) October 2, 2013
At this point, it can't be the Bucs can it? I mean it kills any trade value they have. So why keep letting stuff like fines on him leak?
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) October 2, 2013
Right now, the answer is awfully murky.
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