Various national and local media keep pushing a line of thinking that Greg Schiano and Josh Freeman have a lukewarm relationship.

Joe, however, has heard from multiple sources that Schiano and Freeman are actually tight and respect each other very much.

Freeman addressed his relationship with the Bucs head coach yesterday on the WDAE-AM 620 “Sports Page” show.

“Actually, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Coach Schiano’s office [this offseason], talking with him around the facility,” Freeman said. “Just, you know, getting to know him better, talking about aspirations, what we’re trying to do with this team, you know, the direction. I actually feel like my relationship with coach Schiano is probably the best of any coach. I got to know him extremely well. . “Like with anybody, the more you get to know them, the more you find out what they’re about, their morals, just what they stand for. And you know Coach Schiano is all about doing things the right way. It’s been an awesome relationship.”

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None of this Freeman-Schiano love and bonding surprises Joe, though Joe doesn’t think it will be much of a consideration when the coach evaluates Freeman’s play in 2013.