NFL

Josh Freeman eager to learn from Eli Manning with Giants

Josh Freeman arrived on Monday, signed his one-year contract with the Giants and became the fourth quarterback on the roster, arriving mainly because Eli Manning is coming off arthroscopic ankle surgery and won’t be doing much of anything for at least another month.

I’m definitely excited about being a part of this great organization,” Freeman told giants.com. “Obviously, it’s a chance to go play quality football, learn from some great coaches, learn from a great quarterback in Eli and just be a part of a great organization. The atmosphere is great here, great facilities. Everyone I’ve met has been awesome. Yeah, I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Freeman was on hand as the Giants gathered for the first day of the offseason workout program. Freeman is the 15th free agent added by the Giants who played for a different team in 2013. He arrives with a different sort of resume. He’s a former first-round pick of the Buccaneers, a player who looked to be an ascending quarterback in Tampa but is now looking to resurrect his career.

The last time he played in a game, last Oct. 21, Freeman started for the Vikings against the Giants less than two weeks after signing in Minnesota. His performance was a nightmare. He completed only 20 of 53 passes for 190 yards and one interception as the Giants, 0-6 at the time, gained their first victory of the season. Freeman left that game with concussion symptoms and did not play again in 2013.

“When you’re in the thick of things you want to be a competitor, you want to play,” Freeman said. “But at the same time you want to have a chance to learn the system and things of that nature. As a competitor, it’s just another experience to learn from. I took what I could from it and am moving forward.”

Freeman is the fourth quarterback on the roster, joining Manning, Curtis Painter and Ryan Nassib. If possible, coach Tom Coughlin prefers to keep only two quarterbacks on the final roster. The Giants kept three quarterbacks on the regular-season roster last year for the first time since 2007.

Freeman, 26, will receive work once the Giants hit the field in Phase 2 of the off-season program, as Manning will not be able to run for at least five more weeks. The Giants play five preseason games this summer, meaning they will need at least three healthy quarterbacks until the start of the regular season.

“Today, having the opportunity to sit in meetings and be around the guys in the room, from Eli to Curtis, Ryan, it’s a great group of guys,” Freeman said. “I’m excited and am looking forward to learning about everybody and getting to know the team.”

Freeman started the first three games last season for the Buccaneers before he was released. His stay with the Vikings was not successful.

“Last year was rough all around, but I’m happy to get a new start here and have an opportunity to be there for the Giants and see where it goes,’’ he said.