Mike Glennon Talks About Moving On
January 2nd, 2017
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Mike Glennon sounds like a man who is moving on.
Can you blame him?
After four seasons with the Bucs, Glennon is eager to test the NFL’s free-agent waters, knowing he might receive a lukewarm response.
As Jameis Winston’s backup, Glennon did not take a single snap in 2015 and he threw only 11 passes this season, completing 10. With the 22-year-old Winston entrenched at One Buc Place, why would Glennon want to re-sign here and carry a clipboard once again?
“Let’s see what happens,” Glennon said after Sunday’s 17-16 victory against Carolina in the season finale. “I didn’t think I was coming back to Tampa the past couple of years. I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I’m living my dream to be in the NFL and I’m ready for my next opportunity.”
Greg Schiano had a big hand in selecting Glennon out of North Carolina State in the third round of the 2013 draft.
Schiano was wary of Josh Freeman from the start — and those concerns deepened at the end of the 2012 season after the Bucs had fashioned a 6-4 record. That December, Tampa Bay went 1-4 as Freeman completed only 51 percent of his passes and threw 10 interceptions.
Tape Will Talk
When Freeman went south the following September, Glennon took over with mixed results, going 4-9 despite throwing 19 touchdowns and nine picks.
Josh McCown entered the picture in 2014 at Lovie Smith’s ill-advised request, inexplicably sending Glennon back to the bench.
“Being one of 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL is the best job in the world … being number 33-64 is right there behind that,” said Glennon, who turned 27 in December. “Have I put enough on tape? We’ll soon find out. I’ve got 18 starts (5-13) under my belt and there’s been a lot of guys that have done less and gotten an opportunity.”
Glennon’s lack of mobility remains an issue, but his 30-15 ratio of TD passes to interceptions is impressive and his 84.6 career passer rating is better than Sam Bradford, the first overall pick in the 2010 draft.
Plenty of NFL teams are desperate for reliability at the quarterback position. There are plenty of backups masquerading as No. 1’s and all Glennon wants is a chance to prove he can be a starter.
“My message for my agent is let’s see what’s out there,” he said. “I know I can do it. I’ve had some success in this league and I know I can play.”
When free agency begins, Glennon will ascertain his stock in NFL circles. The Bucs didn’t receive a good enough trade offer for Glennon the past few years, so they kept him as a solid backup in the event Winston was injured.
“Jameis and I had a great relationship,” Glennon said. “We got along really well and it wasn’t an awkward situation at all. Our personalities balanced each other out.”
Smooth Transition
While Winston’s passion and emotion are obvious for all to see, Glennon is more guarded. He’s harder to read, and now it’s time for a new chapter.
“There’s been ups and downs during my time here, but we got better as a team,” Glennon said. “Bringing in Dirk Koetter was a really good move. He’s as good of a coach as I’ve been around. He understands ‘X’s’ and ‘O’s’ and he knows how to relate to players. Dirk’s funny, but he can also be intense. He’s a big reason why we were successful this year.”
If Glennon leaves, as expected, the Bucs will need a new No. 2 quarterback next fall. It won’t be a top priority, like a speedy wide receiver, but Winston’s backup has to prepare like a starter.
Glennon was a true professional from the moment he arrived at One Buc Place. He never complained, even when the Bucs made the foolish move of bringing in McCown.
In retrospect, playing the fool helped Tampa Bay grab Winston with the No. 1 pick the following year.
“There’s no doubt in my mind Jameis is going to be a great quarterback in this league,” Glennon said. “With him and Dirk aboard, the future’s very bright here in Tampa.”
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:30 am
Bye
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:33 am
There is no question that things might be different if Lovie hadn’t brought in McCown…..we almost certainly would have won more than 2 games with Glennon.
Mike Glennon has handled his role at Tampa with great class. He can’t help it if he was drafted by Schiano…..benched by Lovie and replaced by Winston.
All Buc fans should wish Glennon success…..I hope we end up competing against him in a SB one day.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:35 am
Good luck Mike
As crazy as it sounds I expect him to sign a contract at approximately $15MM a year.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:37 am
You have handled the situation with the utmost Class Mike. Good luck to you and I hope you find the right spot for you.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:43 am
He is destined to fail. He’s had two years to work under Koetter. He had preseason games and limited action to show how much he had improved by being coached by a quarterback guru.
I watched his every move. The only thing that had changed was that he had a quicker release in a few instances. Everything else? His weaknesses were still there.
He’s not a fast thinker. He doesn’t read defenses quickly enough.
He has the potential to become the highest paid backup in the league…not much else. Cowboys are going to pay a backup around $5 mill per year.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:47 am
Mark my words, glennon will shock us all.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:47 am
He has handled his time with Winston admirably but will never be anything but a bottom tier QB. Hopefully bucs get to play him frequently
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:49 am
He’s been nothing but a classy, character guy who came in and performed when we needed him to since Jameis got here. Even when he was the starter, it’s not as though he was necessarily set up for success. So, if he finds himself in a better situation, he might be a pretty serviceable QB. Either way, if he gets picked up somewhere, best of luck to him. If he doesn’t get picked up and comes back to the Bucs on a deal that is reasonable, I’d love to see it. I think the play for the Bucs, though, is to grab someone in the middle to later rounds and let them sit for a little while. Maybe we’ll get someone who we can groom and trade.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:55 am
A big thank you to Ira Kaufman for this season! His hiring by JBF was one of the better free agent moves of the offseason. It’s a pleasure to read your stuff. I only wish Glennon had performed better during the preseason. He had an opportunity to really raise his value and didn’t capitalize.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:04 am
Wish you all the best Mike hope you have a great career!
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:13 am
Mike Glennon’s a class act and like most here, I wish him all the best in finding a new team with greater opportunities. How well he performs in the future will most likely depend upon how good a supporting cast he has … coaching, OLine, RBs and receivers. Given the proper coaching, adequate protection and effective weapons to work with, I think he can do very well.
Don’t understand your comment Joe about Bucs needing a new 2nd string QB. I thought that’s why we’ve kept Ryan Griffin on the roster for the past 2 years as the 3rd QB. Granted that he’s a retricted FA right now, but I’d expect the Bucs to re-sign him quickly since his tender is only $550,000 it looks like.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:22 am
I don’t think Glennon’s market is gonna be as robust as people think. NFL teams are getting smarter about avoiding 8-8 purgatory, and that’s what I think his ceiling is as a QB.
Just look at his potential options. Buffalo isn’t throwing big money at a mediocre QB two years in a row. The Jets have twelve Mike Glennon’s. Cleveland has the #1 pick. Denver just went 1st round for a QB. Houston just threw huge money at Osweiler who was in almost the exact situation as Glennon. Chicago probably wants to draft their guy and start over. Same with San Fran. Arizona will likely have their eyes set on Romo.
Romo is going to be the most sought after QB available. Seriously, am I missing something? Where is Mike G going to go for $15mil/year?
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:29 am
Nobody loves you till you’re six feet in the ground. What it is, what it is, what it is.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:31 am
Glennon – best 5-6 yard sideline passer in NFL…that’s where it ends – nice backup and probably 2017’s Brock Osweiler but not one of the 32 he speaks of
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:31 am
Glennon is going to make more than Winston next year. lol
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:36 am
We should try to keep him. I don’t think anyone is going to offer him a shot to be a starter if they have really watched the film. He is a guy that you might be useful and need a back up for a game or two. Not sure where all the Glennon love comes from. Everyone in Tampa wanted a new QB when we had that number one pick. We all knew Glennon wasn’t the answer. This year will have a lot of lower tier QBs available that are better than him. GMs would take one of them or draft a guy with more upside is my guess.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:38 am
When the Bucs are say, at 5-3, at the middle of next season, and Jameis goes down for a few weeks with say, a concussion, the Glennon-haters out there will eat their words. Every NFL team needs a quality backup. Look at the Raiders right now.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:41 am
Seminole, what are you talking about. I think most Glennon haters, myself included, agree that he is an ok back up. We just don’t think he is a starting caliber QB.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:56 am
Seminole Bill
Glennon is not a proven backup. Glennon has only entered 2 game as a backup in his career and has played 1 series in 2.5 years… Hardly proven. Proven means that you have experience and success at a task or job. Glennon is not proven. His piss poor play two preseasons reduced his market value and I highly doubt he will ever be a successful starter given his personality and lack of passion for the game.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:13 pm
I will never write off a QB until he have hung his cleets. People wrote off Jim Plunkett, and all he did was go to the Raiders and win 2 Super Bowls. In order to win in the NFL, a QB needs more than his ability to perform. He also need a good supporting cast, good coaching, positive atmosphere etc.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:29 pm
He is destined to fail.
———————-
Oh yes. You should know Because YOU are a great QB evaluator. Bonzai, go head and show us your spot on Winston scouting report again. I havent seen such an accurate assessment in quite some time. LMAO
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:32 pm
At least he’s not a massive turnover machine with poor accuracy like Busteis. Busteis might already be out of the league if not for Mike Evans. Mike Evans is a QB savior, first Manziel and now Busteis. They owe him huge money really.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:38 pm
BusteisWinston
your dumb-ass must be a relative of glennon or that fragile broken mariota. If America’s Quarterback is such a bust and so inaccurate why has he set so many records in only two seasons at a very young 22. He will go down as the greatest buccaneer of all time in only a few short seasons. Get used to it fool!!!
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:54 pm
Good luck Glennon going to miss the long neck.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Glennon is a serviceable if not a great QB. If he was starting in Dallas right now he’d have a winning record….in Cleveland he’d lose just like the rest.
Glennon is not going to carry a franchise…but he’s not going to deep six one either. He’s a decent game manager with a decent arm and zero mobility.
He’s gifted academically and is very smart. He’s never going to be Mr. Right but he does have the potential to be Mr. Right Now with the right team.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:22 pm
Kid played his string all the way out with the Bucs. Never heard him complain or say anything bad about the team or his position with it. He has conducted himself with straight up class. A fresh start elsewhere will probably do him good. You never know, he could be one of those career backups who eventually starts somewhere and sticks. I wish Mike Glennon the best of luck wherever he lands.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:47 pm
I hope he finally gets his chance, did everything asked of him here. Lot of spots to land….Buffalo, SF, Jets, maybe even Arizona are possibilities. Good luck Mike.
January 2nd, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Classy Giraffe.
I wish you well yoyng man.
January 2nd, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Wish Glennon the best.
He helped make us a better team while he was here with his play, and helping Jameis adjust. I seem to remember that nearly every time he has played with us, we usually had less than adequate O-line protection for him.
Hopefully he lands in a situation where he wouldn’t be pressed to carry the team on his back, like Denver for instance, I think he will have a successful career in the league.
January 2nd, 2017 at 3:54 pm
tmaxcon,
We ALL get it you do not like Mr. Glennon.
But Who The F are YOU, a scout, a former player, a GM in moms basement behind the keyboard. Or maybe just maybe your nothing but a blowhard who gets his jollies on being a double douche bag to Buc players.
I do not know, but I do know we have enjoyed having a QB with experience playing behind our current QB. Just in case something where to happen to our current QB.
I wish Mr. Glennon the best and thank him for his loyal service to our cause. I am probably one of the few who hope we are able to sign him for our long term stability as a franchise. Good luck Mr. Glennon.
tmaxcon, good luck in life blowhard. I have tried to let your BS go but it gets to me worse than Kobe and BIG HOG’s ranting, I get the feeling you are all the same person. SAD
January 2nd, 2017 at 4:21 pm
We should pick up EJ Manuel to be Winston’s backup. He is the same type player, mostly pocket passer that can scramble, and he and Jameis are already buddies. Perfect match.
January 2nd, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Good luck MG. Thanks for the professional way you conducted yourself the last 3 years and for the help you provided in the development of Jameis Winston.
January 2nd, 2017 at 5:55 pm
RustyRhino – you deserve a standing ovation. It’s impossible for “t(a)m(p)axcon” to get his message across without offering low-blows or bullying, just so he can try to make himself feel like a bigger man.
January 2nd, 2017 at 6:08 pm
I like your idea DiS. Lot of love for Glennon for some reason but watching him in the pocket was a scary thing as seemed to have no awareness and once the pressure collapsed he went down to often for my liking. I think EJ would be a solid back up.
January 2nd, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Hope Glennon gets himself a huge contract. A team like Arizona or Houston would be perfect, heck maybe even Jacksonville, perhaps Buffalo. He’s done a good job of not messing up team chemistry by publicly whining about losing his job for no other reason than someone was drafted before him (altought Jameis quickly proved he deserved it). Glennon is one of those guys who I think will have a long career and will do well when given a chance to play – but will always be kind of dull and teams will want a sexy pick. He reminds me a little tiny bit of a young giraffe version of Steve DeBerg.
January 2nd, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Great article Ira ! You make JBF the class of Buc media !
January 2nd, 2017 at 8:54 pm
I have been a fan of MG8 since he was drafted. Lovie bringing in McClown floored me. That bozo lost several games for us, too. MG8 handled the entire fiasco with class on and off the field. Good luck, Mike Glennon!! You more than deserve it!!
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:15 pm
good luck mike.
You’ll need all the luck gou can get to convince some delusional team to give you millions of dollars to play QB for them. But i do wish you all the best. Classy dude, just not a good qb.
January 3rd, 2017 at 8:19 am
I’ll never understand the hatred some of you have for Glennon. He is a more talented QB than many QBs that have started for this team over the past 40 years.
January 3rd, 2017 at 8:21 am
🙂
January 3rd, 2017 at 8:57 am
Good luck, Napoleon Dynamite! The Bucs seem to be set at backup QB with Ryan Griffin. They’ve carried him on the active roster for the better part of two seasons in anticipation of losing Glennon at some point. Backup QB is the least of Licht’s worries at this point, he should be focusing on WR, RB, OL, and DL depth.
January 3rd, 2017 at 8:58 am
“There’s no doubt in my mind Jameis is going to be a great quarterback in this league,”
And I think you will be too MG8.
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:05 am
So long, and thanks for all the fish!
January 4th, 2017 at 3:42 pm
not a glennon fan, but wish him well elsewhere!