If Luke McCown ends up with some lead in his ass, it might just be his own fault. You could even say he asked for it.

In the fresh-faced McCown’s first attempt to stick his flag in planet Starting Quarterback, McCown said Tuesday the No. 1 QB job is his to lose and only a loaded gun will take it from him.

“Absolutely,” McCown said. “This has been a long time coming for me and I’m not letting anybody take it from me. And it’s the first legitimate opportunity. Say what you want about getting three starts at the end of a season.

“But this is my first real opportunity to be the starter, to be the guy. And I look at it as mine and you’re going to have to shoot me.”

Let’s hope Plaxico Burress isn’t friends with Byron Leftwich.

Joe applauds young McCown for throwing some gas on the quarterback competition and talking like a leader.