Bucs Offering Starting Lure To McCown?
February 25th, 2014
NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport is often gifted the inside track on many breaking stories, and yesterday he pounced on buzz out of the unimpressive free-agent market for quarterbacks.
Rapoport Twittered the Bucs, Bears and Jets are hot in the pants for 35-year-old journeyman Josh McCown.
Now McCown is seen as a potential savior by some Bucs fans. Why? Because he became popular in the fantasy football community posted career numbers last season, with 13 touchdown passes against one interception in just five starts for injured Jay Cutler in Chicago. The Bears were 3-2 in that stretch.
That was McCown’s most significant action since Al Davis and Lane Kiffin handed him the ball for nine starts with the Raiders in 2007, keeping the seat warm for then-rookie Jamarcus Russell.
McCown played for two seasons under Lovie Smith in Chicago, and likely is a marginally better, smarter player than Mike Glennon. Much like Glennon, McCown was a tall, skinny third-round pick with limited mobility.
Joe wonders what the sales pitch would be to McCown when the free agency bell rings in two short weeks. Will they try to lure him by telling him he can win the starting job? Will the Bucs outbid their competition?
Dangling an honest shot at a starting job is likely the Bucs’ best shot at McCown. Otherwise, why would he leave a situation in Chicago where he’s clearly respected and comfortable in the offense?
There’s always a chance the Bucs are angling for a two-year contract, one that would ensure they have a savvy, experienced backup in place to mentor a rookie first-round pick. Joe sure hopes that’s the mentality at One Buc Palace.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:00 am
No, no, no. We need Luke, not Josh. Luke lost out to Leftwich in camp years ago. There’s no way he can win the job from Glennon, but some might think he’s just the “competition” we need…
February 25th, 2014 at 10:03 am
Sign McClown, draft a qb with the 1st pick. Address the d line thru free agency
February 25th, 2014 at 10:03 am
Lovie probably will make a run at him. I hope somebody else gets him.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:25 am
Luke McCown was a good QB; should’ve never let him go. That idiot Raheem somehow thought Leftwich was better.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:27 am
I’m OK with Josh McCown (not Luke) like the lil’ flintstone said. The Glennon Mob has no problem with competition. I’m not so sure McCown could win it on athletic ability. Maybe on knowledge but mentally Glennon is strong also and absorbs things very fast.
How about this camp battle?
Josh McCown
Mike Glennon
Derek Carr or Jimmy Garappolo
Mike Kafka
As long as no-one is gifted the job outright (including Glennon or McCown) and their is legitimate competition in camp, I can speak for myself and comfortably for other Glennon Mobsters, that this is all we have wanted. What do you say MG8 Mob?
February 25th, 2014 at 10:31 am
Carr had a good Senior Bowl and combine. Ran right with Johnny Football. Demonstrated the good athlete trait Lovie covets. And the Tedford connection.
Add in Lovie’s remark that a QB worthy of the seven pick will be there. One way of looking at that is he considers 4 quarterbacks in this draft worthy of the 7th pick.
Could be Josh for the starting job with Carr and Glennon battling it out for the future. Be nice to have a vet to work with Glennon or whoever, something Freeman never had.
Or not….
The above might be accomplished by trading down.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:34 am
Josh McCown???? NO!!!!!
The man had a few good games and suddenly he’s the toast of the town? He’s been in the league FOREVER and only has a few good games under his belt.
A waste of a signing if it happens.
Vick would be too.
Wait for Schaub or Sanchez.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:35 am
Are we really ‘hot in the pants’ for McCown?
February 25th, 2014 at 10:36 am
Eric Says
“Carr had a good Senior Bowl and combine. Ran right with Johnny Football. Demonstrated the good athlete trait Lovie covets. And the Tedford connection.
Add in Lovie’s remark that a QB worthy of the seven pick will be there. One way of looking at that is he considers 4 quarterbacks in this draft worthy of the 7th pick.”
I don’t put much stock in the combine myself, but you make a valid point. Your reasoning out the 4 QBs thing is sound.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:37 am
i would feel good if we went into the season with mccown and glennon and used the 1st rounder or 2nd rounder on a wr with speed.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:38 am
Patrick Says
“Luke McCown was a good QB; should’ve never let him go. That idiot Raheem somehow thought Leftwich was better.”
I also felt that way about Luke. I thought that if he had the coaching commitment he would have developed into a very good starter. But by the time he was cut, too much damage was done.
The proof is in the pudding. He did nothing after he left.
But I think that was because of the early coaching. Sometimes good players can be ruined permanently by bad coaches.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:39 am
I would expect Schaubb to be higher on the list than McCown if they are truly bringing in competition to push Glennon.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:40 am
i love mcown’s story but cmon he shouldnt be the guy we sign the guy is back up qb. he is not a starter i honestly wouldnt like the move at all makes no sense to me. i rather sign vick and let him compete against glennon
February 25th, 2014 at 10:42 am
What a joke.
Schaub is a better option than McCown.
I’d rather go 2-14 with Glennon than go 4-12 with McCown.
At least we’d have a shot at Winston.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:43 am
This is how far we’ve fallen, folks.
We’re talking about offering McCown the starting job to lure him away from his BACKUP QB position in Chicago.
Jesus, this is depressing.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:48 am
McKown YUCK
February 25th, 2014 at 10:52 am
McCown is backup, period. The ONLY reason we should sign this guy is to groom out new QB, our draft pick who should either be Manziel or Garrapolo. The chance of us dropping down into the early picks to grab Manziel is slim, but still possible. The more likely scenario is to draft Jimmy Garrapolo in the 2nd round. McCown would be a decent guy to show him the ropes and teach for a few games. If we are winning let McCown play, if we are losing in comes the rookie. Glennon is more than welcome to get water or hold the clipboard, but he may not play.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:52 am
Wow my typing was awful.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:55 am
These type of scenarios make doing what it takes to get the most exciting QB prospect in 20 years even more appealing.
Anybody ready to run down to the ticket office to watch McCown?
Wonder what Jeff Fisher thinks of Revis?
February 25th, 2014 at 10:57 am
no thanks
February 25th, 2014 at 10:58 am
I agree with Macabee, wait for either Sanchez or Shaub.
I think a change of scenery, like a trip to Tampa, might do either of these 2 guys good.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:00 am
Relax
McCown would be an upgrade from Dan O…..it probably means we wouldn’t pick a QB in round 1…..pick a QB in later rounds likd Garropolo or Murray….we would have 3 solid QBs in camp and good competition for Glennon.
Save our 1st pick for a trade down or Clowney/Mack/Watkins
February 25th, 2014 at 11:19 am
@BamBam
LMAO, no Luke might win out. The MGMers want real competition. I know Jamarcus Russell is available as a FA…
February 25th, 2014 at 11:22 am
The promise in Glennon was evident when he scored in the hurry up offense against the 49ers, he ripped them apart when they used it
February 25th, 2014 at 11:23 am
I’d like Murtsy or Garropolo too. It’s a shame we don’t have a 3rd round pick to get either.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:23 am
@Bonzai
@Eric
“…One way of looking at that is he considers 4 quarterbacks in this draft worthy of the 7th pick…”
That would be assuming the analysts are right in that Teddy, Johnny and Bortles are all worthy of top 5 picks. It could also mean that Lovie thinks one of these guys will fall. Who knows?
February 25th, 2014 at 11:24 am
Agree with tbbf. McCown is an upgrade of Orlovsky.
I’d like to see a good run at Matt Schaub when the Texans release him.
NO to using a #1 on a QB! NO! NO! NO!
Andm Joe, I take issue with your assessment of how McCown is a “smarter player” comment about Glennon. I have ONLY read and heard about the very high intelligence of Glennon as a great trait for him as a QB. Heck, he has a Master’s degree!
February 25th, 2014 at 11:25 am
I agree that McCown is an upgrade over Danny O. I’m just at a whatever with the QB situation. If Tedford is the great QB guru they say he is. Well then any QB should be just fine as a starter, even Glennon. I’m just going with flow on all this QB talk. Whatever happens, happens. Guess we get to wait and see
February 25th, 2014 at 11:29 am
@harry,
I agree. Or he’s disseminating false info……..and has zero intention of taking a QB at 7.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:34 am
I think some of you are reading too much negativity into this. We NEED a reliable vet in the line up. My personal opinion (not that it matters) is that McCown and Cassell are our best choices. I am not big on Vick (he will get hurt) and I think ButtFumble and Schaub might have lost their confidence, but I could very well be wrong about that.
Now here is something to watch. By the time the draft rolls around, we will have one of the above Vets and Glennon on the roster; so, what does it say if the Bucs also draft a QB, whatever round they draft him in? No faith in Glennon as they want to work with someone else who better fits there mold? And of course the opposite is true too. If they don’t draft one, MG8 is the man in the coaches eyes.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:51 am
I don’t think we will get a first round QB, as there won’t be one left that is better than the other options at 7.
McCown is an upgrade over our current backup, but Shaub, Cassell and maybe even potentially Sanchez would be an upgrade in competition for Glennon.
McCown is almost done with his career. Let Tedford see what he can get out of the other three and McCown.
AS for the draft, I like the Georgia, Alabama and LSU QBs over Garropolo. I saw a scouting report that while he has a quick release, he actually melts under any kind of pressure, which he didn’t see in a lower conference in college. So he won’t translate to the NFL.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:53 am
“…The Glennon Mob has no problem with competition…”
Just as long as its not really hard competition, don’t want Mikey stressing out there. So NO to better QBs that we might get in the 1st rd.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:55 am
@FB
Garrapolo may have played in a lessor conference than the other guys. But he put up video game numbers in that conference, which is exactly what he should do. The kid is a winner.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:56 am
I don’t care who plays qb. If not all of the offensive line or at least most of them are not replaced you could have a repeat of last year.Glennon was pressured more then 40% of the time, the most in NFL,the running game was terrible most of the time.That tells me one thing, and one thing only, offensive line problems.Address the problem in free agency and the draft, the offensive line is the glaring weakness.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:59 am
I disagree to point on that Harry. If they draft 1 in the 1st, then we know where they stand with Glennon. If 2nd or 4th, then not so much. It’s a toss up in my eyes
February 25th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Lets just stop the hanky panky and get Blake Bortles.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
I’ve been saying that for awhile Aubpierce. Totally agree with you on that one. Doesn’t matter who’s under center if they have no time to throw. And if they can’t block you also have no running game, which in turn, opens up the pass
February 25th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
@Mike Says:
“…If they draft 1 in the 1st, then we know where they stand with Glennon. If 2nd or 4th, then not so much…”
You think so Mike? I was not wanting them to waste a draft pick in later rounds on a QB partially bc we only have 5 picks- either take one in the 1st, or not at all. Then I started thinking that if they did spend a later pick on a QB, doesn’t that mean they like the potential in that player? Which to me translates into they like the potential in that player better than what they have in Glennon. Conversely, If they don’t use a draft pick on a QB, McCown/whoever is just a steadying influence eventual backup, so Glennon is the man for the immediate future. Still disagree?
February 25th, 2014 at 12:08 pm
McCown, Vick or anybody else from the shallow QB free agency pool will not be the long term solution. They might provide an upgrade to Glennon, but the Bucs would still have the 4th best QB in the division. Bringing one of them in for competition and a stop gap until the right QB is drafted/developed is fine, just not the long term answer.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
I don’t believe ONE WORD that ANY coach or GM says for the next 10 weeks. Zero. Nada.
All smokescreens ad baloney sammiches…
And without significant OL upgrades and play and an actual running game, NO QB will bring enough wins to make the playoffs. That should be the #1 offensive strategery right now.
Trenches. Give be quick, fast, strong, smart beef in the trenches-both sides. The rest will take care of itself.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:14 pm
A few blogs on here have mentioned Sanchez. While I respect everyone’s opinions, I do not get that one. All I have ever seen from him is failures. Please respectfully enlighten me on the merits of getting Sanchez. I would not even consider him based on what I have seen and heard about him.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:16 pm
@Aubpierce, @Mike;
I am not putting it all on him, but MG8 also held the ball way too long on many occasion, thus increasing the pressure on him, IMO
February 25th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Mike you and I and a few others have talked about the offensive line,but it seems nearly every one thinks replacing the qb will solve all the problems.Point is on a good football team the qb should be handing off 50% of the time and is not nearly as important as the offensive line is collectively.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
OK be honest……..How many of you Glennon haters had a wet dream just thinking about this story??
February 25th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Josh McCown is way too old, with way too little success in his past to believe that at his age he can repeat what he did in that 5 or 6 game stretch last year. He’d make a terrific backup, but putting him in as a starter would be a colossal mistake.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:33 pm
I dont think McCown would excite anyone. If your looking for a new starting QB, you should be trying to trade up.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Eric thinks that Manziel is the most exciting QB in the draft in the last 20 years.
And some people call the MGM delusional.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Boy am I glad nobody takes our advice here! Sheesh!
February 25th, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Love that last one 87! And Harry…. I said I disagree to a point. Your point is taken, but my point is that if we take a QB in 2nd or 4th round is that there really isn’t any good vets out in FA right now.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
So why not get another good backup/starter with a draft this deep?
February 25th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Two points.
First, there are not four qbacks that our staff wants in the first seven picks. Tedford can work with many players, but they are not interchangeable and he is only in love with one of them. If you are a JF fan, you don’t want Carr as a #7 consolation prize. If you do love Carr, then Bortles is not an valid alternative.
Second, while we do not yet know Tedford’s scene, there are some qbacks that fit and others who do not. In particular, Vick is not and has never been a pocket passer. He may be good, maybe better than MG8, but he is not going to prosper in a disciplined drop back system. So for some prospects, we either change the system or pass on the player.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
I don’t think Clowney, Manziel, Watkins or Bridgewater will be available at #7. In that case, I think they should trade back to a team that is desperate for Bortles.
They can trade back 5 to 7 spots, pick up a 2nd or 3rd rounder and still get Mike Evans from Texas A&M who will be a star in this league. Evans is the 2nd WR that will be drafted but he might be the best. He’s very big, great hands and very fast. He made JF look better than he was.
That will let them pick up an OG (DE) in the 2nd and a QB in the 3rd. I’m going back to my original QB pick, Murray.
Murray is smarter and more athletic than Glennon.
I think Bortles is a bust like Gabbert or Ponder. Looks good in shorts.
Mayock is pimping Kahlil Mack at the combine but the dude simply does not have top ten skills and he’s a 3-4 LB.
I like Emcee Licht, there will be a learning curve, but he seems bright.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Too true Aubpierce! The trenches is where everything starts. Hike the ball and who wins? If you’re OL is better then their DL then it’s gravy. Other way around and your mobile QB gets put on ice. It’s really that simple
February 25th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
I don’t think that drafting a QB or a FA signing will say one thing or the other with regards to Glennon. He’s here and will compete. The Bucs HAVE to upgrade the position. You can expect a veteran FA signing in conjunction with drafting one.
I do not envision anyone being handed the starting job.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Mike, I couldn’t have said it any better.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
@Clowney well said! I have a ques. to some of the guys bringing up the oline, could the bad performance be a reflection of the off. scheme? Just maybe if Tedford brings a better scheme, the oline my not be such a problem? Any thoughts?
February 25th, 2014 at 1:18 pm
No interest in Sanchez or Schaub–both big time losers. If Lovie has comfort with McCowen by all means get him because we could trade down for a third pick and lose out on Carr and Garappolo. We could still get Ga.’s hurt QB in the fourth but we’d need a QB to step in when Glennon continues his losing ways. Talk about melting under pressure that is Glennon every fourth quarter not Grappolo, who played just great against the big boys in the Shrine Game and scored a TD in the Senior Bowl in case you missed those games. However, if Bortles is still there at number 7 TAKE HIM!!!
February 25th, 2014 at 1:18 pm
No Joe, We would not be looking at McCown as the “savior.” But at the same time, If we dont want to draft any of these top QBs, I would be all for bringing in McCown on a 1-2 year deal. You people calling him a career backup? thats fine but I bet that career backup beats out Glennon for the starting job.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
I totally agree with needing to upgrade the O-line and D-line. There are a few stud DE’s available in free agency and possibly the center from Cleveland. Like QB, there are few great OT’s ever available in free agency. OT is not an exciting pick but very important non the less. If a top tier OT is available when we pick then I would strongly consider grabbing one. Unless one of the QB’s is still on the board. I like upgrading center in free agency and moving Zuttah to guard since I think Nicks won’t be able to return. Then Draft an OT, QB, WR and TE on offense and LB or CB on defense not in any particular order. Just the best available when we pick in each round. How much cap space do we have currently prior to releasing any current free agents that we choose not to retain?
February 25th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Bring in a vet like McCown or Schuab or Henne (but no guarantee of the starting job) and draft Aaron Murray in the 4th round. Let them battle it out with Glennon and the winner will start!
February 25th, 2014 at 2:03 pm
@Mike
I am one of the biggest advocates of drafting a QB. But I would prefer to do it in the 1st rd to get someone with a high ceiling.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:09 pm
IMO. there are NO “franchise” qb’s in this draft. No Peyton, Eli, Rivers, Luck, Rothlisberger, or even Stafford type Qb’s in this draft. with only 5 picks in this years draft, it’s imperative that you draft, on positions where risk in minimal(ie. LT risk lower than Qb risk). Remember, Mark Sanchez was the Qb for the Jets in 2 AFC championships, because of outstanding defense, o-line and running game. Also, Glennon was the Rookie QB of the Year, so to spend a high draft pick on a Qb, who IMO, is not clearly a “franchise” guy is a huge risk, on many levels. The guy deserves a chance, AND, we will have a full compliment of draft picks next year to make a trade up, and there will be at least, a couple of truly “franchise” type QB’s in Mariotta and Winston, let alone the ones we haven’t even heard of yet. I don’t think we’re in position to take big risks, as IMO we’re on the verge of having a solid foundation. I think both lines should be addressed this year, especially offensive line.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Harry, I’m not against drafting QB. My question to you is, how do you know Glennon doesn’t have a high ceiling?
February 25th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Brett Favre and Gil Brandt agree with me.
February 25th, 2014 at 4:43 pm
I can’t believe you would scoff at McCown and then suggest Sanchez…
lol Disgusting.. Utterly DISGUSTING smh lol
February 25th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
buccanAy says:
“IMO. there are NO “franchise” qb’s in this draft. No Peyton, Eli, Rivers, Luck, Rothlisberger, or even Stafford type Qb’s in this draft. with only 5 picks in this years draft, it’s imperative that you draft, on positions where risk in minimal(ie. LT risk lower than Qb risk). ”
It’s not just your opinion, it’s mine as well. I don’t see any QB’s worthy of trading up for. Especially when you only have 5 picks and the team has other holes to fill, but that’s not the main reason. The main reason is there is no QB worth trading up for in this draft.
Yep, I’m bored. I have to be bored as hell to be repeating the same stuff I’ve been saying for weeks.
Man, I really don’t like watching baseball. Basketball sucks nowadays with the constant traveling that goes on ( Lebron being the worst offender) without the refs calling it. It truly is going to be a loooooong offseason.
February 25th, 2014 at 7:05 pm
I’m sorry, did you just write that mccown was marginally better than freeman? Why because he had the first good 5 game stretch of his career?
We are talking about a man who has started 21 more games than glennon and just this year gave his career stat line 5 more TD’s than INT, a man whose career comp. % is the same as mike Glendon’s and most of all played in an offense this year that even jay cutler looked good in.
I’m sorry joe, every time I read your mudslinging towards glennon, I lose more respect for your website. I’m not saying glennon is the answer, but no one has ever said there is hope with a mccown as your QB, people do think glennon has a chance.
This QB class draft/free agents is weak. Let glennon play this year with a healthy supporting cast and see what we have, get over Johnny f and now your new love josh mccown
February 25th, 2014 at 7:55 pm
@Mike
IMO, I just don’t see it in his game. People in here like to compare stats from the rookie years of Brees, Manning, etc to back up their opinion of MG8 having a lot of potential. But I don’t see it in his play. I saw it watching Manning as a rookie, and closer to home, I saw it in Freeman. Those plays where you said WOW, and several of them. Of course as rookies they show the other inexperienced side too.
I can point to stats as well, there are many. But stats can be misleading. How much of that was poor coaching, poor scheming, and how much was MG8? I won’t pretend I know the answer to that. Don’t get me wrong. I think we got great value in Glennon for a 3rd rd pick. I think he could be even better with good coaching. But I do not think he has as high of a ceiling as some of the QBs in this draft
February 25th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
I enjoy everyone’s opinion here on joebucsfan.com. I have’nt read any other Buc news site and can’t remember how I came upon this site, but I know I’m glad I did. Thanks Joe(s) for really good articles and fans for all your takes on everything Bucs.
February 25th, 2014 at 9:26 pm
@Mike “I agree that McCown is an upgrade over Danny O. I’m just at a whatever with the QB situation. If Tedford is the great QB guru they say he is. Well then any QB should be just fine as a starter, even Glennon. I’m just going with flow on all this QB talk. Whatever happens, happens. Guess we get to wait and see”
well said.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
This is crazy… If glennon had Jeffries and Marshall to throw to yea he’d put up thos numbers as well