Gerald McCoy defends Josh Freeman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is sick of the media and fans bashing quarterback Josh Freeman.

McCoy says he is sensitive to the bashing of his quarterback because he “got it for two years.”

“They talked bad about me for two years,” McCoy told JoeBucsFan.com. ” So, it’s like, I don’t take to well to it when they talk about my teammates.”

Freeman had another up-and-down season the Bucs in 2012. He had a career-high 4,065 yards and a career-high 27 touchdowns, but completed just 54.8% of his passes. Freeman led the Bucs to a 6-4 start, but was awful during a six-game losing streak, which included  back-to-back four interceptions games in a 41-0 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints and a 28-13 home loss to the Saint Louis Rams.

McCoy, however, doesn’t seem to think Freeman struggled.

“He had a real good year,” McCoy said.  “People give him so much scrutiny.  I’m like, ‘Man, you all got to relax.  Like, calm down, man.’  They just, I think he gets treated unfairly a lot.  Like I said, to me, it’s a sensitive area because, you know, I got it for two years.  Actually still get it.”

Entering the season without a contract situation could be very telling in regards to the way the Bucs view Freeman and his future with the team. Plus, they selected North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon in the 2013 draft. 2013 is considered a “prove it year” or a “make or break season” for Freeman.

Well, call it whatever you want, but he better be good if he hopes to remain with the team beyond this season.