Poor Josh McCown (And Jeff Tedford)
August 10th, 2014
Joe really felt for Bucs quarterback Josh McCown Friday night. And, no, it wasn’t just the pain in McCown’s ribs and his head that Joe was feeling.
Whatever the Bucs were trying to do offensively in the first quarter, you may as well have taken the playbook and thrown it in the St. John’s River, after you threw down a six-pack at the underrated Bud Zone.
(Column intermission: Jags owner Shad Khan has done a masterful job renovating the Gator Bowl. Those two 50-yard-wide HD screens are spectacular — especially when displaying the scantily-clad Jags cheerleaders. Then there are the two pools for the kiddies, various other bells and whistles and the great Bud Zone, an air-conditioned sports bar with an end zone view of the game, both live and on TV, along with other live games. Meanwhile, the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway has a pirate ship, which only select fans can enter).
Whatever Tedford and McCown wanted to accomplish Friday was Pearl Harbored by a trainwreck performance from the Bucs’ offensive line (sans Demar Dotson, who played reasonably well).
This was not lost on Tampa Tribune humorist Martin Fennelly who also felt bad for McCown.
I wouldn’t start the Glennon For Starter campaign, though QBOTF (Quarterback of the Future) followed McCown into the game and completed 11 of 19 passes for 140 yards and a TD pass to Tommy Streeter. I’m just saying …
Jeff Tedford’s offense remains under wraps. Friday, it needed a sheet pulled over its head, at least in that first quarter.
The first-team Bucs defense seemed ready enough, even though all it had to get ready for was Jacksonville starting QB Chad Henne.
What can one expect from a quarterback who literally had to run for his life in a desperate attempt to live to see his children graduate grade school on each and every snap? The Bucs couldn’t run, couldn’t pass, but it seemed McCown called an awfully sharp snap count, about the only thing he could do and not worry about taking an opposing helmet in he earhole.
Lovie Smith is trying to quell a public memorial for his offensive line after one preseason quarter. Fair enough. But let’s not yet judge McCown (or Tedford) until he’s at least able to step up into a pocket without getting leveled on at least two consecutive pass attempts.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:17 am
Dotson wasn’t that good either, and had one very costly holding penalty.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:22 am
We, the fans, have no choice but to wait another week. It’s just not any more comfortable than McCown waiting for a ‘pocket’ to form.
Past performances are no guarantee of future… nevermind.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:25 am
I have to start by saying that those new video boards in Jax are a monstrosity. They’re awful. It is completely unnecessary to have hideous giant billboards mounted on top of your stadium.
I have to finish by reminding folks who think that Glennon played better than McCown…that his line touchdown drive was against defensive players who won’t be on NFL rosters in a few weeks.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:29 am
Sadly, Jacksonville is one of the worst teams in the NFL in terms of talent level. Not so sure the offensive gameplan is such a mystery to nfl defensive coordinators. Mcclown should get another shot he is Lovies “starter”
August 10th, 2014 at 9:33 am
I havent seen that bad a performance since the look out block days..
A combination of Montana Marino and Johnny u wouldn’t have had a chance.
Praying it was unfamiliarity and were not that bad.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:38 am
Glennon, clearly, had an advantage over McCown, in that he got to work with the 3rd/4th string O-line instead of the starters. :^)
August 10th, 2014 at 9:40 am
The worst part of this year will be week after week, Hearing lovie tell the media that old man mcCown is “his guy” when everyone knows what the obvious choice is. Then when the bucs are totally out of it, he will finally cave.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:42 am
Tim Wright was also beaten badly for a sack. It was a disaster. I’m not panicking but I’m disappointed after this first game
August 10th, 2014 at 9:48 am
I’ve already forgot about that game, and I don’t want to be reminded how awful the OL was and is. Think pleasant thoughts, the memory will fade faster. Until next week. Fat chance.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:54 am
I’m not gonna panic just yet…I’ll wait a few weeks until we play the (dress rehearsal) week 3 preseason game… The offense looked really sloppy for 1 (offensive line) in particular…the offensive play calling was also seemed very vanilla…I even saw a hand off to the FB, evidence of Telford sandbagging with the play calling…with that said, I was still very disappointed…I had to pump the brakes on the playoff talk, take a step back and remind myself that this is the preseason…
August 10th, 2014 at 9:57 am
Its very disappointing. For those who think the “offense needs time to gel”, it had nothing to do with the “offense” or Tedford or McCown. It was one aspect of the “offense” – the Oline. They were terrible They were just totally outmatched, as they will likely be week after week. If JAX was bad, imagine Panthers and Rams the first two weeks – the #2 and #1 D in the league last year. For those who think The Cannon is a better answer, that is absolutely foolish. McCown did not have a chance.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:02 am
I’m just now getting to watch the game and it’s downright depressing to watch our O line make Jacksonville’s D look like a group of Pro Bowlers! I didn’t like the Zuttah trade when it happened and now it’s proving to be a big mistake. Even if Dietrich-Smith is a better center. Zuttah is way better than anything we put on the field Friday night at guard! Never thought I’d miss Donald Penn and Davin Joseph this much!
August 10th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Any debate I’ve ever had about who has a better stadium starts and ends with the same question. How many pirate ships does yours have?
August 10th, 2014 at 10:08 am
I get the impression that the only people who think starting Glennon is foolish are those who have vehemently insisted McCown was far better at running the offense and was 100% going to be the starter. I also think those same people are worried Glennon starting would make their off season boasts look foolish.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:10 am
McCown isn´t in Lovies long term plans.
I hope Glennon will get his (second) oppertunity this season.
Then we can all see and agree, that he is okay, but not good enough.
Then we draft well next year.
In order to get good draft amunation:
Try dealing DE Clayborn and RB Doug Martin:
Both are 1st rounders (which gives value for compensatory picks).
Both are replaceable (quite easy)
= good plan (maybe even dealing V-Jacks, since which i would hate, since he is our best WR since a long time; but he probably wont be here when the Bucs can go on a SuperBowl run anyway)
Go Bucs!
August 10th, 2014 at 10:15 am
@meh “Dotson wasn´t that good either”…”costly holding penalty”:
Totally agree + he gives 0, in letters thats: ZERO push on running plays.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:19 am
I’m good with that too louden. If Glennon plays and sucks with a healthy team then I’m on board with drafting a QB next year. I think he’ll pleasantly surprise a lot of doubters if given a chance with some weapons around him. As always I reserve the right to be completely wrong 🙂
August 10th, 2014 at 10:26 am
Sorry but sometimes the OL will suck and that’s not an excuse the throw a pick six and fumble twice.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:35 am
Again….I say this isn’t about Glennon/McCown…….any more than its about Martin/Rainey……..this is about Cousins/Edwards or Meredith/Omameh.
As Joe’s article suggests….you can’t make a reasonablsee evaluation of our offense based on that one snapshot other than we need some improvement with the Oline.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:37 am
I have no problem with old man mcCown starting. But it will be a huge mistake if they don’t let MG8 take some snaps with the first team during practice.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:41 am
I have been in the Pirate ship . . . .there is NOTHING inside except the framework that supports it. NO BIG DEAL……if you sit near the canons it is annoying. Loud as hell . . . .cool to look at but that is about it.
And almost all you can find it friggin Bud Light all over the facility. Hey, Bucs, get some REAL beer choices!!
I prefer to watch (if you haven’t figured it out by now) on a large TV.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:45 am
It did look like our rookie running back and tight end are for real.
Streeter also.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:59 am
Holy crap that scoreboard is huge.
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/7/27/5941601/jaguars-worlds-largest-scoreboards-everbank-field
Puts our jumbotrons to shame. Went to Ray Jay for draft party and it looked like a giant pixel was blown in the form of a red dot on one of them lol. No worries though, Glazer’s sometimes take their sweet time, but when they do finally decide to act, they usually go all out.
As far as the o line, we are just going to have to keep calm and let it play out. I agree with Joe, I think they are going to get the problem solved one way or the other.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:14 am
A good portion of the Offensive Line problems were coaching. Just watched again for the second time and there is absolutely no doubt the Jag’s knew the snap count 90% of the time. Was there something that tipped them off or maybe they continued to use the same snap count on purpose I’m not sure. Having played some offensive line I can tell you there is no way a D lineman can get a jump before the Guard or Tackle can even get out of his stance w/o knowing the snap count. I counted at least a dozen or more times where the D lineman jumped the snap. There were no hard counts or quick snaps to counter any of the defensive plays just to slow them down a little. So they just kept coming. Was this part of a test to see how they would do?
August 10th, 2014 at 11:15 am
Since Joe has access to Jason and Lovie perhaps he can inquire why the Bucs haven’t signed Richie Incognito! Bucs OL needs a leader and an attitude adjuster. What ya say Joe?
August 10th, 2014 at 11:21 am
That scoreboard is incredible. If that is our starting o-line play week one I think I will skip the $400 a game to go. I’ll get pissed off at home.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:25 am
I can only imagine how you would have sounded had the two fumble one int. Two completion game been Glennon!
August 10th, 2014 at 11:44 am
ALEX BOONE – 49ers Guard currently in a holdout. He wants a raise, we have 13.79 million in cap space. Can you hear me JASON LICHT?
August 10th, 2014 at 11:46 am
It’s not so much of “guard play” problems.. I thought Cousins was ok. It’s Merideth that is the problem. He and your high priced left tackle.. You know.. the one that’s never given up a sack? Yeah that fella. His ass gave up a sack Friday though. But Merideth most definitely has to be replaced. He plays really lazy. There is no way Marks should have beaten him that badly on that inside move if he had been doing what he was supposed to be doing. But aye… That’s none of my business..
August 10th, 2014 at 11:47 am
I have been to both and will take our stadium every day of the week. Our Club level is great and sight lines for a game are among the best. Also, I understand beer choices are on their way in addition to more local food options.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:53 am
TO BE FAIR: Collins and EDS were MORE than serviceable at their respective positions. (for atleast the first series or 2) I saw Collins str8 up bearhug his opposing player (couldn’t see a #) dead in his pass rushing tracks. And you could tell EDS knew what fronts he was helping to diagnose (and he never had a problem holding up the center of the line he manned up in GB oh but he wasn’t lined up next to turn-stalls there either). BUT, starting in the 2nd series, PAINFULLY obvious by the 3rd, you saw the three starters Dotson, EDS, and Collins, start to try and pay more attention to the guy next to them then their respective jobs (kinda hard not to when you know the guy next to you is serviceable as a TURN STALL) I think the Bucs O line will be fine with ANYONE ELSE starting at guard and not those who we were warned about being a failure b4 they ever even played a snap in a Bucs uniform because they have always been THAT BAD EVERYWHERE ELSE THEY’VE PLAYED. That is of course provided that Lovie has broken his LONG HELD Chicago belief system concerning collecting chicken sh!t o linemen. IF ANYTHING DERAILS THIS COMING SEASON, IT WILL BE THE O LINE. Lovie said “there isn’t typically alot of good football played in your first pre-season game”…Apparently the Jags don’t see game 1 as an excuse for that COACH.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:54 am
Andrew 1,
It’s funny you mention the pixels being blown out. It seems every game, there are a couple of those out. Very annoying. Can hardly see anything on those damn things.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:54 am
Saw a Good play by play analysis with photos of Josh McCown’s plays
Reinforces what Joe said to a degree. Nowhere near as bad as many would like to believe but room for improvement, which is what preseason is about.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:55 am
Why is this about Glennon or McCown? Some of you are the reason people laugh at buc fans. Our oline sucked Friday night. That has nothing to do with McCown. Did any of you see the Superbowl? Denver’s oline was horrible in that game, hence Manning was too. You can’t have great QB play without at least descent online play. Calling for the non mobile Glennon to start behind that line after one game is stupid beyond belief. Some of you please go and learn the game before posting idiotic comments.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:55 am
Joe, after watching our game and then watching Manziel’s; I can see why you wanted us to draft him……..
August 10th, 2014 at 11:55 am
Toes: If that is true, that the only ones that think starting Glennon is foolish are those that backed McCown as the choice is true, then PFF clearly thinks Josh should have been starting the day we signed him and doesn’t want to be proven wrong as they just gave McCown a higher game grade than Glennon. It’s funny really, some people actually see the truth and others just see what they want to see. Glennon was (at best) inconsistent with much less pressure.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:56 am
Odds of our starting QB making the IR are very high for preseason. MGM is hoping to have this fix before “The Cannon” is called into the game when this happens.
Odds of our 3rd string QB starting against NC are also high this moment. We might loose Pineapple McCown and Glennon “The Cannon” in the next 3 weeks due to our College o-line. I decided to demote McCown at his point until the o-line is NFL quality to Orange McCown. In the next Pro-Bowl McCown looks to be in Florida at this moment.
Lovie and Licht are hopefully busier than ever finding the solution. I’m not panicking just being real.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Interested to see how Licht handles this opportunity to trade for one of the best available Guards on the market – http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11330873/teams-eye-trade-alex-boone-san-francisco-49ers
What an impact a proven starter on the O-line Boone could be. We have 13.79 million in Cap money which is more than enough to sign him. The guy is a beast.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Manziel, just like old man mcCown will never play a 16 games in a season there whole career.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Poor Buc fans……
August 10th, 2014 at 12:22 pm
@ lightningbuc
Yea, they are definatly in need of an upgrade. I’m sure the Glazers will get around to it though. My guess as to why it’s taking so long is that they don’t want to spend all that money on renovations while the fan base is still passive. I think they want to see a consistently packed stadium, or at least a significant increase in attendance, to justify spending all that money. Only way that’s going to happen is if we start winning, so get to it bucs.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Cannon or McCown won’t matter with this OL! Please get someone else to play guard! We made the Jags look like all pros. Yes, Lovie, PANIC has set in!
August 10th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
I decided not to fret over it. Life is too good for me right now to allow football to make me bitter. Bitterness ruins the enjoyment of the game, the enjoyment of life and more.
I realized something the other day. I’ve been satisfied with my life for years, but I haven’t been living a joy filled one.
So, I’m going to try to form the habit.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:56 pm
The_Buc_Realist Says
“Manziel, just like old man mcCown will never play a 16 games in a season there whole career.”
You may end up right, or and up wrong. I do know this…
Saying such a thing at this point is the same as wishing him ill. Someone you don’t even know and who has never done anything to you. Just because you didn’t want him drafted to Tampa.
Says a lot about character.
August 10th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
To me the Bucs and Jags are much alike, in a similiar rebuilding process, but let’s not forget Jacksonville is in year two of Gus Bradley… Both offense’s are the main questions, anybody not expecting Jacksonville’s defense to be quite good this year might be forgetting his prior work with the reigning Super Bowl winning defense.
August 10th, 2014 at 1:13 pm
@Bonzia
Once again you are dead wrong. What I said was based on purely on analysis of what I saw from both preseason games. Manziel was running around and diving head first into 3 defensive players, afterward doctors were checking Manziel for concussion symptoms. And old man mcCown was based on the o-line play. This is no different then watching a running back that won’t run out of bounds taking unnecessary hits while fighting for every yard. Great play, but will not last thru the season.
So please do not insinuate that I wish or hope injury on someone when that is simply not the case. I did not want the bucs to draft Manziel because he cannot read defenses, will run most of the time, and will stare down receivers worst than Josh Freeman.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Enough already with looking backwards at a performance no more important than analyzing a broken raw egg. BUT, what say you all on the spread on the Miami game? Rumors are Fins have a solid defense. Uh oh!
August 10th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
I still like RJS stadium better then Everbank and I stay in Jville RJS does need upgrades tho
August 10th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
Joe has written several times why. Lovie wants nothing to do with the skunk, which is also why Incognito is walking the streets in August while many NFL teams are crying for o-line help.
August 10th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
As has been probably said ten to twenty times above, the problem was the O-line is going to get Mcown killed. First stringers on a decent defense are too much for it right now- but our backups against their backups were moreof a fir fight.
Peyton Manning or Brew Brees would have gotten hit more times and harder. At least Mcown was able to scramble a bit for something positive.
Also the penalties hurt them as well. You stop the dumb penalties and shore the line up a bit more and it will be much better. I still think we will be pretty good on offense this year.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:19 pm
Pro Football Focus has now graded our Jax fiasco and gave Josh a minus .7, mostly for his pick 6. However they graded Glennon a minus 3.0 (over four times worse than Josh) mainly for his poor passing. This just proves that while Lovie is a defensive genius, he is deficient in making offensive judgments. No other NFL Coach would have elevated Cleveland Bust OL, Cousins, to a starter at Guard, especially when he has been terrible during our practices. Of course Cousins got PFF’s worst rating on the Offensive Line while our RT got the highest rating on our OL. Cousins should be cut immediately to save cap space. Lovie’s biggest mistake was not taking a QB with his first pick. Bortles was the best QB in the Jax game and will be their Franchise QB while we are stuck watching Albatross Glennon lose again and again! The Bucs can still have a good season with an excellent Defense and Josh and an OL switching our starting tackles with Dotson at LT and Collins at RT where he has prior experience from the Bengals, and Omameh and Daniels at Guard and keep our starting Center.