McCown Paving Path For Mariota
December 15th, 2014
It really is this simple: Josh McCown is not Lovie Smith’s kind of quarterback. He really isn’t.
Oh, Lovie sang hosannas over McCown — a guy he cut in Chicago — as if he was the second coming of Roger Staubach. Anyone with a sober mind and a sense of history thought this was a hard sell, you know, that car was only driven by an old lady who took it to church once a week.
Well, turns out McCown is who we thought he was: a journeyman quarterback prone to mistakes. Lovie had it right in Chicago when he cut him. He’s not Lovie’s kind of quarterback.
Lovie likes to play close games. Let the defense keep you in the game. Problem with this philosophy is you must rely on chance (turnovers), and you also have to play nearly mistake-free football. Any little error can gum up the whole works.
Not only don’t the Bucs play error-free football, McCown is a turnover machine. He is playing so badly that veteran sports columnist Gary Shelton believes McCown is doing his best to see to it the Bucs draft Marcus Mariota, so he wrote on GarySheltonSports.com.
Say what you want about Marcus Mariota and his inaccuracies or Jameis Winston and his list of controversies. But can either of them play the position any worse than the Bucs are playing it? Frankly, you can bring back Jack Thompson or Trent Dilfer or Josh Freeman, and they would have trouble playing any worse. Okay, come to think of it, maybe not.
Still, those are the levels the Bucs are approaching. Sunday, McCown had two more fumbles, both at the worst times possible, and a game-sealing interception. That’s the thing about McCown. He keeps making these gut-wrenching turnovers, like a backup quarterback who is having too much asked of him.
And sure enough, every week, it seems to get the better of the Bucs. Come to think of it, McCown looks like he might be the biggest Mariota fan in the state. He may have a poster over his bed. What more could he do to get this guy to town? Pick him up and drive him to town?
You know, McCown does look like a quarterback who is trying too hard. He looked like that Week 1 against Carolina, and he looked like that in Week 15 against Carolina.
Joe is confident McCown will not be the Bucs starting quarterback next year. Oh, he could be a perfect bridge to a rookie quarterback. But could he play any worse than Mariota and/or Winston? Doubtful.
Just something tells Joe your 2015 starting Bucs quarterback will either be drafted, traded for, or signed as a free agent. And a cautionary tale here, folks; NFL teams don’t generally get rid of decent quarterbacks.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:45 pm
But McCown gives us the best chance to win right?
December 15th, 2014 at 6:49 pm
“But McCown gives us the best chance to win right?”
Not this year, but if he gives us Marcus Mariota then he is giving us the best chance to win down the road.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Mariota!
December 15th, 2014 at 6:51 pm
BEst chance to win the #1 pick, and that’s what matters.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:56 pm
McCown is paving the way for a Chiropractors yacht…airplane…sportfish…whatever his mad money desires
December 15th, 2014 at 6:58 pm
But..but….Lovie said…..Glennon was OUR quarterback of the future ?….Of what do I believe Lovie……
December 15th, 2014 at 7:05 pm
NFL teams don’t generally get rid of decent quarterbacks.
True dat Joe! But certainly not an absolute. And so here’s one for our wise posters.
Did Jim Harbaugh make a mistake when he chose Kaepernik over Smith? Or are they both capable of winning. I think the record speaks for itself. Which QB would you guys rather have. I take EITHER ONE OF THEM!!!
How about the Chargers? Did they screw up letting Drew Brees go to keep Rivers. Again I’d take EITHER OF THEM.
Good QB’s are always hard to find, whether through drafting, trade, or F.A. it is what it is!
December 15th, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Say what you want about him, he hasn’t acquitted himself well…but 2 of the turnovers aren’t entirely on him. The sack fumble near the goal line was bad, he should know to protect the ball better than that…the 2nd fumble, arm was hit as he was throwing…like the RT wasn’t even there..and the INT…any INT thrown in the last 30 seconds in desperation mode by ANY QB is excusable. It isn’t like he threw the pick from the 8 yard line on 2nd and goal with 30 seconds remaining. He had to force a throw to win the game. The dude tries hard, almost too hard. He’s got a ton of heart and decent tools but he would need far better protection for him to do well. A great QB can make up for an inadequate OL… a below average one? No so much. I don’t blame him for his poor performances, he what he has always been, inconsistent, erratic, and turnover prone. Add in the fact that his OC bolted right before the season, his OLine is terrible, and there have been entire games where there were no actual TEs….
This past game, his accuracy on timing throws was way off, he looked like Glennon spraying the ball all over the field… his mobility, always a plus, scored his 3rd rushing TD of the season on a run that Glennon couldn’t have made against middle schoolers… I think, considering the OLine, lack of experience at OC, and all the other issues, McCown probably is the best QB for this team right now.
That being said, I would love for Glennon to get the last 2 starts of the season. Behind our terrible Oline and lack of weapons we should get more of what we should all expect out of either QB, bad play, and then we can lay to rest the rumors that Glennon has a future in the NFL.
McCown will likely be around next season to tutor, inspire, and motivate whomever the young QB is we end up drafting. Personally, I prefer and expect Mariota. I would settle for Winston. Anything to hang my hopes on.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:12 pm
McCown is the man, Lovie asked him to come down here and screw everything up for a season so that we could finally get a franchise guy. Great job buddy. Just like Tedford Mike Glennon wouldn’t play loser ball for a season to better the team. Oh well, we can get a franchise QB now.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Brandon must be a soccer fan.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:16 pm
M&M…. COME ON DOWWWWWWWWWWWN!
December 15th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
They BETTER lose out now.
Seriously… just run the ball over and over.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:30 pm
Brandon = Mikal smith – Lovies son.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:31 pm
Is there a secret code among coaches that makes losing out acceptable? I mean surely if Lovie gave the orders, then fired the OC, you know the OC won’t rat the plan out.
So I wonder if there was a secret code no matter what, you just don’t tell.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Trade Glennon for a 3rd or dump McCown and keep Glennon. Only way we keep McCown is if he is on the bench and we get something for Glennon. Pick hasn’t been decided yet. There’s a chance we beat the saints, if we do and pick in the top 5 I think there’s a better chance we take a lineman and grab a QB in the 2nd
December 15th, 2014 at 7:37 pm
I haven’t been this excited (to get the #1 pick) as a Bucs fan since we went to the Super Bowl! Who we draft (Mariotta!) isn’t even important right now. Our ONLY victory, the only thing left on the table for your sorry band of bumbling Bucs is the #1 pick.
Where’s Stone Cold Steve Austin when you need him?
December 15th, 2014 at 7:39 pm
Oh no!!!!! Not another year of Johnny Football part 2. God help us if they draft a rookie QB just to get murdered. If so, look for us to draft another QB in 2017 by a new coach and GM.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:43 pm
A franchise QB from a spread offense. What a joke
December 15th, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Winston runs a spread option most of the time. Y? Because they are always behind so he throws a lot and is in the shotgun bunch. Know who else runs a spread in the NFL? Breed, Manning, Rodgers, and Brady.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Winston runs a spread option most of the time. Y? Because they are always behind so he throws a lot and is in the shotgun bunch. Know who else runs a spread in the NFL? Brees, Manning, Rodgers, and Brady.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Glennon should be playing.
If we lose out and Lovie doesn’t replace McCown, it should mean one of two things:
1. fired for Harbaugh
And/or
2. ownership is on board with the tank job
December 15th, 2014 at 8:00 pm
You guys rooting for us to lose out can breath a little easier. Carolina was easily the worst team remaining on our schedule, especially with two rookie linemen and a backup QB in the lineup.
Green Bay is going to beat us like the red headed step child. This game will be sooo freaking ugly to anybody without a cheese head! It may lead to the NFL instituting a mercy rule so we don’t have to sit through a 4th quarter of this game. The Packers will be pisssed and desperate after that loss to Buffalo and Aaron Rodgers never has two bad games in row.
New Orleans has sucked this year but it’s all relative. They don’t suck Buccanneer level sucking. It could be a close game but the Bucs will figure a way to choke it away.
So continue your Jameis-Marcus or trade down debate.
December 15th, 2014 at 8:01 pm
Maybe Lovie does like Glennon better than McLown, He keeps putting McClown in the game to get killed behind that dreadful O-line.
December 15th, 2014 at 8:06 pm
If Chip Kelly really covets Mariota, a trade would have to be considered. Multiple first round picks and others. Connor Cook or Garrett Grayson top of the second round, get a left tackle bottom of the first…..just saying
December 15th, 2014 at 8:07 pm
Suck for the Duck!
Continue this Farkas for Marcus!
Give me a reason to say “We’re number 1”. Even if it just means the number 1 pick.
We don’t just suck. Oh no, we BUC SUCK.
December 15th, 2014 at 8:10 pm
Nobody expects the Bucs to have a chance in these last two home games. Has the collapse reached bottom yet?
December 15th, 2014 at 8:24 pm
You know how I know some of you don’t know football? Cook isn’t coming out in the draft and said that a few months ago. However, some of you keep asking for him.
December 15th, 2014 at 8:41 pm
As your imperator,
We will not have to draft a franchise QB because my personal selection Mike Glennon has been groomed for the full time job. However there is a selection I would approve of trading down to the Jets our pick for Dee Milliner straight up/ Just like the awesomeness of the Revis trade two years ago.
Marcus Crassus Dominus Dominik
December 15th, 2014 at 8:52 pm
@RealDrew
I’m with you!!! Is Kelly hot enough after Mariotta to dump some extra picks on us?
December 15th, 2014 at 9:00 pm
Guess I missed that, draft guru Skyline. I can’t live in my mom’s basement and follow every headline. We don’t know football now guys. Players declaring or deciding to return to school is what its about.
December 15th, 2014 at 9:02 pm
McCown is trying to make plays, something that takes extraordinary effort with the blocking the way it is. If he turtles up more, that would only draw other forms of criticism. No QB can be successful with this line and this play-calling. Trade down and build the line. This franchise should have got an OC the minute they learned that Tedford’s heart was the issue. Hearts are pretty important. Dragging out a season without an OC is real baloney. QB is not the problem.
December 15th, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Well, the options are looking like this:
DRAFT: Mariotta or Winston with the first or second pick in the draft.
TRADE: Cutler or RG3.
SIGN: Hoyer
I hope to god that Hoyer is not an option for the Bucs, because he’s basically a younger Josh McCown. Cutler is familiar with Lovie and could be available based on his ridiculous contract, but I think it’s best to stay away. The same can be said for RG3, unless he becomes available for a mid round pick. With the general dullness of this team, the Bucs could use an infusion of hope, and that hope would come in the form of one of the top QBs in the 2015 draft. I’m not sure if it’ll be Mariotta or Winston, but man, it almost has to be one of these guys, if only to get people interested in the team again.
December 15th, 2014 at 9:21 pm
How’s this for a laugh guys? Walter Football has a mock draft up for 2016. Yep not just next year’s but the following year.
And who is the number one pick according to them. The Oakland Raiders tire of Derek Carr and use to top pick to select Christian Hackenberg of Penn State.
We should all just be throwing darts at a board.
December 15th, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Mo to Hoyer, no to RG3
December 15th, 2014 at 9:46 pm
No*
December 15th, 2014 at 9:58 pm
Yes to trading our pick to Jets for that sweet Alabama corner Milliner! Glennon will rule the Bay for centuries and you will all remember the legend that is Dominik, Schiano, Glennon…
December 15th, 2014 at 10:13 pm
Is it true that even if we lose the last two games we may not have the 1st overall pick because of strength of schedule?
December 15th, 2014 at 10:27 pm
P’cola
Sadly it is true. But if we lose out the only other threat comes from the Titans.
So we are guaranteed a shot at one of the Heisman QB’s if we lose out. But we may have the second choice.
December 15th, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Of course we are tanking and McCown is in on it. I’m not angry at all. Once Tedford didn’t come back I KNEW the tank job was in. You all will be in awe with how good we are when Marinelli comes in here and gives us a top 7 D.
I hope Mariota beats FSU so we can get one more look at him against Alabama. Alabama will expose him (with an average secondary for Bama’s standArds) if he’s a fraud. If he’s able to commit very few turnovers and complete 55-60% of his passes then he is legit.
If Mariota struggles then trade back and lets stock this roster with some mean guys in the trenches.
December 15th, 2014 at 10:37 pm
P’Cola Buc: I found this tidbit online:
Pick Team Record Strength of Schedule
1 TB 2 – 12 104 – 114 – 3
2 TEN 2 – 12 110 – 113 – 1
3 JAX 2 – 12 114 – 109 – 1
4 OAK 2 – 12 131 – 93
5 WAS 3 – 11 111 – 113
6 NYJ 3 – 11 123 – 100
7 ATL 5 – 9 105 – 113 – 3
So after tonight (unless the Bears and Saints tie) the Bucs SOS will be 105-115-3 so they have a slight advantage over the Titans but that will be whittled down when the Bucs play the 10-4 Pack and the Titans play the 2-12 Jags. Then the Bucs have the Saints and the Titans have the Colts so lets hope Tennessee can beat the Jags else the SOS between Tampa and the Titans will be a close call….
December 15th, 2014 at 10:41 pm
Hey Macrus Dominik u got way too much time. Starting saving money dude
December 15th, 2014 at 10:54 pm
Thnx St Pete Bucs Fan & Fort Myers Dave
Will be watching Thursday night and rooting for those Titans!
December 15th, 2014 at 11:36 pm
What a pack of tools that post in here. Or as my departed father would say, “dull tools.”
Another rookie QB means one probably two more losing seasons because if any of you idiots think either of these two guys are Andrew Luck your just as stupid as you sound.
I really think most of you guys would score as a dull normal at the most on any IQ test.
December 16th, 2014 at 1:08 am
Heres a thought everyone…..cut all these losers..with the cap space sign nadamahh suh trade our 1st round pick to houston for jadevon clowney… we will win games like the rams with a great dline…..
December 16th, 2014 at 1:48 am
So if the QB prospect is not a guaranteed Luck no team should draft him.
Thanks for the piece of brilliant advice.
December 16th, 2014 at 2:36 am
Jags will likely beat Titans next week, because they don’t have a QB. But Titans and Raiders might win week 17 because the Colts and Broncos may rest their starters. I haven’t researched those scenarios for home field advantage in playoffs. But that would leave us as only 2-14 team if we lose out.
December 16th, 2014 at 10:06 am
The point of drafting a Heisman QB with the top pick is not just to play better than Josh McCown, it’s to lead a franchise. You can’t do that with shotty offensive and defensive lines. Take the Cowboys for example. A mediocre team for a few seasons until they were able to draft 3 offensive lineman, how they have one of the best in the game to go along with their division leading record. Yes, Demarco Murray is also a big proponent of that but who do you think opens the running lanes? Who gives Tony Romo all the time in the world to wait for Dez Bryant to get open? Winning games starts in the trenches. Casual fans might not appreciate this because it isn’t a “sexy” pick, but that’s what it takes to have a successful franchise.
December 16th, 2014 at 10:07 am
Clowney? He has played what 4 games this season. No thanks.
December 16th, 2014 at 10:16 am
I’m leaning towards the thought that Mariota is the QB worth the top pick:
http://vimeo.com/114294382
There’s more to the ‘character’ part of this than feel-good, role-model, face-of-the-franchise concerns. And there’s more upside than just the character part, too.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Trying too hard doesn’t make you slip a guy and then have him knock the ball out of your hands.
He’s just dumb on the field. And I wanted to give him a chance but he’s totally unaware.
He’s got accuracy on the balls to Evans, and that’s the only positive I can see. With any kind of pressure, he turns to mush.
It seems like Lovie watched just one game of all these guys he brought in where they happened to play well.