Mike Williams says Josh Freeman wasn't on the same page with the wideouts in terms of route adjustments last season. The Bucs were breaking in new OC Mike Sullivan's offense. "The big problem last year was we couldn't get on the same page, knowing when to break our routes off," Williams said. Now entering their second year in the scheme, the entire organization is expecting Freeman to take a step forward in terms of efficiency. "We know this offense," Williams said. "It's a knowing instead of reacting to something."

Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan recently gave Josh Freeman a vote of confidence. Even though Freeman set franchise records in yards (4,065) and passing touchdowns (27) last season, head coach Greg Schiano is asking him to compete with third-round rookie Mike Glennon. The Bucs have also declined to engage in contract negotiations even though Freeman is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Sullivan is singing a different tune. "Josh Freeman is our quarterback, and he's a heck of a player," he said.

Bucs coach Greg Schiano reiterated Monday that Josh Freeman will face competition from third-rounder Mike Glennon. Schiano and GM Mark Dominik were attempting to claim that they haven't lost faith in Freeman, but Schiano couldn't resist putting Freeman's feet to the fire once more. "I try to tell (the media) the truth that I believe in Josh Freeman and he's our starting quarterback," Schiano said. "But I believe in competition." In the NFL, anything less than an unequivocal endorsement should be construed as a lack of faith. The Bucs are going to make Freeman work for his job, plain and simple.

According to ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas, there have been "rumblings" that Josh Freeman isn't "as intense" or as much of a "rah-rah leader" as coach Greg Schiano would like.

Bucs third-round pick Mike Glennon is considered more of a threat to backup Dan Orlovsky than Josh Freeman. The third-round quarterback selection confirms the Bucs' concerns about Freeman's long-term viability, but he's not entering a camp battle. Reliable Bucs website Pewter Report considers Glennon "two years away" from pushing to start and believes he must add 15 pounds to his long, lanky frame. Freeman is in a contract year, but he doesn't have much to worry about from Glennon.

Josh Freeman insists he has a good relationship with coach Greg Schiano, who has said he's "not married" to Freeman as his quarterback.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, just about everyone within the Bucs is on board with Josh Freeman except coach Greg Schiano. Schiano joined the Bucs last season, three years after the organization used a No. 17 overall pick on Freeman. He's consistently waffled on the quarterback position in the media, saying he wants to bring in competition. However, the only "competition" the Bucs have actually signed is incumbent backup Dan Orlovsky. Even if they use a middle-round pick on a quarterback,Schiano appears content to let this be a make-or-break season for Freeman.

NFL Network's Albert Breer reports the Buccaneers were in on Matt Cassel before he signed with the Vikings. Perhaps it was just for a clear-cut backup role, but we'll take it as another sign of the Bucs' shaky confidence in Josh Freeman. They haven't approached him about an extension in a contract year, and coach Greg Schiano hinted at a camp competition just after the season. We wouldn't be surprised if the Bucs drafted a quarterback on the second day. They have the 43rd and 73rd picks.

Josh Freeman's agent had a "really positive" meeting with the Bucs at the Combine. "They said they definitely believe in Josh, that he is their guy, that they want to reach their goals with him and that they know he is capable of doing the job and are committed to him," Freeman's rep said. It doesn't appear the sides discussed a new contract for a player going into the final year of his rookie deal. Freeman is going to be on the spot in 2013.

Coach Greg Schiano issued a vote of confidence for Josh Freeman Thursday. Immediately following the season, Schiano said Freeman does things that "frustrate" him and added that he planned to bring in competition. Now he's signing a somewhat different tune and saying those remarks were taken the wrong way. "Josh Freeman is our quarterback," Schiano said Thursday. "And I believe that Josh Freeman -- with Josh Freeman -- we'll be able to accomplish our goals." Freeman is entering the final year of his contract.