More Gushing For McCown’s Leadership
June 19th, 2014
Yes, the Mike Glennon Mob believes their guy could be the opening day starter. Prominent analysts agree.
But it seems every last person working at One Buc Palace not only raves about starting quarterback Josh McCown’s leadership, but puts it on a Hall of Fame plane.
General manager Jason Licht tossed the latest long stem roses to McCown last night.
“The addition of Josh McCown, legitimately being one of the best leaders I’ve every been around, he got the whole offense on the same page at an early part of OTAs by having his own OTAs offsite. And he had a 100 percent participation, and there were very few mental errors at that first practice,” Licht told Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620. “And it had everything to do with that.”
Now Licht didn’t just arrive from Rutgers. His long NFL history includes working for regimes that had Tom Brady, Dan Marino, Steve Smith, and various superstars, Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers. Licht hasn’t even seen McCown operate outside of underwear football and already he’s declaring him an elite leader.
Also, remember what Jeff Tedford said of McCown early this month: “McCown is one of the truest professionals I’ve ever been around, I mean as far as just an unbelievable leader, so knowledgeable. Puts in extra hours every day, you know, studying film.”
Yes, your 2014 Bucs are McCown’s team — for now.
Joe was thinking about Licht’s history last night and realized Licht saw first-hand how 36-year-old Jeff Garcia rose from the bench — and a dead career — in Philadelphia to lead the 2006 Eagles into the playoffs and win a playoff game. Garcia won six of his eight starts that season, which included two playoff games. Of course, Chucky then came calling and Garcia was a Pro Bowler for Tampa Bay the following season.
McCown has extremely fresh legs and a fresh body for a guy who turns 35 in a couple of weeks. Age is not the issue. The only question about McCown is whether he can play well for a full season, something he’s never done.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:15 am
35 is not too old athletically to have some juice left in the tank. As long as the O line keeps him from getting clobbered.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:31 am
I think I worry about JMac’s arm more than anything. Can his arm last 16 regular season games? He’s no spring chicken and has never gone a whole season practicing all week and playing on every Sunday. He may be the opening day starter but I think he’ll give way to Glennon by the time our bye rolls around, and not particularly because of bad play, but the result of a tired arm.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:32 am
McCown and McCoy are two professionals that act like a mature adults. These guys are focus on getting better and helping their teammates. They have shown to be great students and leaders this off season. Their attitudes along with Lovie and the coaching staff generates cohesiveness among the team. This will definitely help on the field too. Things can come together sooner than expected. We have the right coaching staff and leaders on our team to win now. .500 season is very achievable.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:41 am
35 is just his age. McCown’s body should still feel able and willing. He’s been mainly a backup QB through his career so age is not a factor since he takes care of his body. He is probably in better shape than Gannon was at 35.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:51 am
Not a McCowner here. I will say Kelly Slater, 11 time world champion in surfing(the most by anyone) performed better through out his thirties. He said his body was stronger than his twenties. On the current tour, he is ranked #3 which means he will contend for #1 with Brazillians and Australians who are in their 20’s(Kelly is 42 I think) So age is not a factor IMOl.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:59 am
Those that dislike MG8 dismissed Licht’s “cannon” reference, so should we believe Licht on this or dismiss it as poppycock as well?
June 19th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Much of what we’ve been hearing about McCown’s professionalism is as much a testament to how poor Freeman was in this regard.
This is the upside to Lovie naming him the starter BTW and that decision is having the intended affect. In underwear at least.
June 19th, 2014 at 11:42 am
“didn’t just arrive from Rutgers”
spit my coffee out on that one…….
June 19th, 2014 at 11:45 am
Just curious ….. there are examples like Gannon and Garcia who suddenly caught fire later in their careers and went on to great things but does anyone know of any “journeyman” qb’s who suddenly put together a string of exceptional games during a season but bombed out the following year? Just curious as to what history tells us about McCown’s chances of maintaining his Chicago form this year.
June 19th, 2014 at 11:50 am
If any player on the roster questions his leadership, he can just point to 2010 when he was player of the week for the UFL.
Go hartford!
June 19th, 2014 at 11:51 am
Jeff Garcia? Yes he won some games but I grew soooo tired of watching Buc receivers get behind defenders and then have to pull up waiting on rubber band arm to get them the ball.
Jeff Garcia was truly a gamer who got every last ounce of ability from his talent. I respect that immensely. But he is precisely the example that should give us hope for McCown. Mc should easily be able to perform as well as Garcia, he’s a better athlete with a stronger arm and has experience and just as good of a head on his shoulders as Garcia.
I love Brad Johnson, but again this guy was a “football player’ not somebody’s dream of a franchise Q.B.
Ian Beccles loves to point out how many guys he’s seen come into the NFL looking like greek gods with speed to burn who simply were not “football players”.
It’s too early to judge. But so far McCown looks like a “football player”.
June 19th, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Buc_Realist is right! Probably no one else in the NFL can lay claim to UFL player of the week! That’s serious leadership!
June 19th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Only idiots think that Glennon has a shot starting game 1.
June 19th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Bob Says:
June 19th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Only idiots think that Glennon has a shot starting game 1.
___________________________________________________
Hey Bob,
The only “idiots” are those who continue to doubt/hate on Glennon. Glennon was not traded this offseason, and has been labeled as having a “cannon” while also being “the QB of the future”.
Will Glennon start game one, most likely not, but to continue to doubt him would be completely “idiotic”.
Can’t put anything past the Freemanites, there is just no quit in there being “wrong”.
June 19th, 2014 at 1:18 pm
Count me amongst the idiots then 🙂
Look I’m glad the Bucs went out and got a guy who can show Glennon how to prepare at an NFL level. With that said there is to this point nothing in McCown’s resume to definitively show that when the games count that he is the guy for an extended period of time. Maybe this year he will, but until then there is absolutely no valid reason to dismiss the possibility that come regular season MG8 is starting QB in Tampa. It is McCown’s job to loose, but on his NFL career he has yet to show he can step up and fill that role…not hate just facts.
June 19th, 2014 at 1:22 pm
And only idiots think he has no chance.
June 19th, 2014 at 1:24 pm
I really dont understand how someone can convince themselves that a 10 year career back up can suddenly being starting material while also saying a rookie can never get better. Senseless and hateful.
— LONG LIVE THE MGM!!
June 19th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
+1 Couch
June 19th, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Couch Fan: it happens all the time, its called a diamond in the rough my man. Talent that has been on the shelf. If you don’t know that then you are not watching the sport of football.
June 19th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
I find it highly unlikely that McCown won’t start the season…he wasn’t brought in to be a backup.
As far as Glennon having “no” chance……Never say Never…
Isn’t it great that we are even having discussions about which one is best and about leadership after last year’s JF meltdown.
I think our wildcard is Jeff Tedford’s offense….and apparently our draft picks were specifically selected to perform in it. I can’t wait.
June 19th, 2014 at 3:15 pm
“All the time” is an exaggeration. Has it happened before? yes and I never denied it’s never happen but its very very rarely. It just makes no sense how you can say Glennon will never get better and proclaim Josh as our starter when he’s NEVER been good after 10+ years. I don’t consider that 5 game stretch against bad teams last year as good. Let’s see the 34 year old start 16 games before sitting here declaring Glennon has no chance Lol.
June 19th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Couch Fan Says:
June 19th, 2014 at 3:15 pm
“All the time” is an exaggeration. Has it happened before? yes and I never denied it’s never happen but its very very rarely. It just makes no sense how you can say Glennon will never get better and proclaim Josh as our starter when he’s NEVER been good after 10+ years. I don’t consider that 5 game stretch against bad teams last year as good. Let’s see the 34 year old start 16 games before sitting here declaring Glennon has no chance Lol.
——————————————————————————-
All very good points!
In fact, during my study of the 51 QB’s chosen in the first round over the last twenty years, a significant majority (>75%, if I remember correctly…..I’ll post a correction later if that is incorrect) do improve their career QB rating compared with their rookie performance. This seems to make sense to me since they will have more experience with their own offense, as well as at reading defenses too. Another factor is undoubtedly the improvement in the teams drafting first rounders in the first place, i.e. they are likely lower tier teams when they drafted, and would likely improve overall along with their new rookie QB, though this is clearly not a hard and fast rule (e.g. Oakland, Cleveland etc.) So it makes good sense to me to expect a likely improvement
in MG8’s play overall, as he gains experience, and as his surrounding teammates/weapons improve as well.
Regarding your point about McCown, I too am glad to have him on our team, but as I’ve posted previously, he threw for 6 of his 13 TDs in the two games against Minn and Dall……. the statistically two worst defensive teams in the league last year. And his two WRs were Marshall ( #5 receiver overall, and ?#34 in NFL Top 100 players) and Jeffery (# 10 receiver overall). I, too, hope he proves to be our “diamond in the rough”
tickrdr
June 19th, 2014 at 4:12 pm
I think the closest I can find as a comparison to McCown would be Trent Green. He was drafted in 1993 by the Chargers in the 8th round. They cut him the following year, he saw no action. He played in the CFL, but got cut there too (BC Lions). In 1997, he signed on with the Redskins, but only threw 1 pass. Went 6-8 as the starter in 1998 for Washington before moving to the Rams in 1999 where he was injured in preseason and Kurt Warner took over. At the age of 31, in 2001, he moved on to KC where he became the starter. In 2003, at the age of 33, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl after leading the Chiefs to a 13-3 record, his first winning record in the NFL. He again made the Pro Bowl at 35 years of age. His career declined after that due to several severe concussions, not so much because of declining ability.
And, although Vinnie Testeverde was a starter most of his career, he is a decent example of a QB having more success in his later years. Having 7 seasons without a winning record, he finally went 9-7 at 31 years old. Made his first Pro Bowl at 33 and 2nd at 35. He had more winning seasons (3) age 35+ than he did pre-35 (1). Vinnie played in the NFL until the age of 44.
All that said, I don’t care which QB starts the season, finishes the season, or whatever… I just want the team to win. If we change QB for any reason other than injury, it means we aren’t playing well, so I want the QB that starts the season to finish the season. That would mean the QB play is good enough or that the staff feels neither QB is an option and we will know we need to draft one next year. Play the man that gives us the best chance to win.
June 19th, 2014 at 4:13 pm
He’s a man on a journey, not a journeyman.
June 19th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Old Man McCown better come out guns blazing or he might not have many opportunities left.
June 19th, 2014 at 4:52 pm
“McCown has extremely fresh legs and a fresh body for a guy who turns 35 in a couple of weeks. Age is not the issue.’
I believe McCown will be the opening day starter, but I disagree with this statement.
It’s easy for a 35 year old QB to look fresh through a few games. It is entirely different to do it 16 games. His age will be an issue…especially with the pounding he will be taking behind our oline.
For what it is worth, I believe McCown views this as his last chance to shine and he is going all in. I believe he knows his limitations and is trying to get Tedford to keep them in mind.
I also think he is the better option over Glennon. At least presently.
I love McCown’s leadership. I love that Glennon is seeing the right way of doing it. I just wish we had 2 QBs competing for the #2 spot, because I don’t think Glennon has done enough to earn it without true competition.
Maybe Glennon is the next Tom Brady. We thought Chris Simms was too. I hate that we don’t have true competion at #2 and we’ll have to hope MG works out.
June 19th, 2014 at 8:21 pm
McCown is a winner in every way. As statistics have shown from Glennon’s combine he is NO CANNON, and has a below average arm compared to most of the other NFL prospects. In fact even Kafka outclassed Glennon by throwing passes 3 mph faster than Glennon at his combine. This preseason Glennon better be looking over his shoulder at Kafka, who should be the backup once Glennon is traded! Glennon is a loser, whose real value to this team is as trade bait. And no I am not a disgruntled Freemanite either, but I knew Glennon was a sack magnet right away!
June 19th, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Hey owly there have been a lot of guys who have been combine cannons that are no longer playing in the NFL. Jamarcus Russell comes to mind when I sincerely say to you combine don’t mean sh!t in determining who the real deal guys are
June 19th, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Owlykat,
You’re a Freemanite.
June 19th, 2014 at 8:52 pm
OK I don’t want to compare these two but really there are examples of QB’s who blossomed late. Kurt Warner ring a bell. Undrafted out of that powerhouse Northern IA he of course made his bones in the Arena league before the Rams finally gave him his shot.
BTW Notice how Warner starred with the Rams…cooled with the Giants…and then exploded again with the Cards.
Football can be a fickle sport. How many times has it broken our hearts? Maybe this time we’ll get lucky.
June 19th, 2014 at 9:07 pm
I like both of our QB’s and they’re work ethic and chances of succeeding on this team. I don’t think it matters. They both want to win. Glennon may look goofy as hell, but he has the want to play. So does McCown. Thats what is most important. We haven’t had a QB with that attitude in a long time. It’s a breath of fresh air for me at least.
June 19th, 2014 at 9:12 pm
@owlykat said,
from Glennon’s combine he is NO CANNON, and has a below average arm compared to most of the other NFL prospects.
_______________________________________________________
Hey smart guy, did you know that Glennon made all his throws at the combine. 100%, not one miss, and not one receiver dropped the ball. Did you know that Glennon was asked after the combine about his velocity, and do you know what his answer was?
“Yeah, I decided to take a little off to make sure I was more accurate. There were a lot of receivers out there that were trying to make the pros too, and they were counting on us quarterbacks to make good quality passes. Funny though, I didn’t realize I was throwing the ball that soft.” (big grin)
June 19th, 2014 at 10:02 pm
Don’t forget the Jim Morris story.
Right here with the Rays.
And he was coaching High School baseball before he finally made the Majors.
Sorta like Josh….
June 19th, 2014 at 10:47 pm
I will legitimately bet anyone, McCown will be the starter and keep the job barring injury.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:49 pm
I’ve been saying it for a while now, welcome to the transformation of Josh McCown from journeymen to legitimate NFL Starter.
Glennon will be waiting for a bit.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:51 pm
I am NO Freemanite and I don’t believe Glennon will win this job.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Sure Glennon can get better but he cannot get faster, the guy is like molasses in the pocket.
He WILL get his shot “eventually” but it’s nothing more than a “chance”.
There are no guarantees he will succeed.
June 19th, 2014 at 11:12 pm
Exact same thing can be said for McCown and its more realistic for a rookie to get better than for a 10 year vet to all the sudden blossom.
June 20th, 2014 at 12:29 am
Great quote from a coach who’s always been coaching non professionals.. Remember! Lol
Also, remember what Jeff Tedford said of McCown early this month: “McCown is one of the truest professionals I’ve ever been around, I mean as far as just an unbelievable leader, so knowledgeable. Puts in extra hours every day, you know, studying film.”
June 20th, 2014 at 2:01 am
One must wonder what the new regime will do if Glennon is running the offense more efficiently than McCown by the end of preseason. I also wonder what kind of treatment they’ll each receive during the preseason.
last year Glennon was given a ton of snaps, almost as if they were trying to coach him up as fast as possible, knowing Freeman was headed for an implosion. Possibly this year they give Glennon a ton of snaps in effort to shop him.
if McCown and Glennon see equal snaps then I would take that as evidence that a true competition is what’s taking place. I know the regime has publicly endorsed McCown, but if Glennon performs above expectations he could really put the pressure in. If Glennon is looking like the better QB, but Lovie and co. decide to stick with McCown, he better deliver.
All in all I’m saying that a clear choice between the two needs to be made before the season. We can’t go into this thing with thoughts of possibly switching QBs by the bye week.
June 20th, 2014 at 6:26 am
Poor Josh McCown. He has a nice piece about his leadership prowess and a bunch of people with 19-9 signs show up to pimp their candidate to unseat him. I’ll cheer for whoever lines up under center as I have for 38 seasons. I wish Glennon all of the success he can muster. I would be ecstatic if he rose to elite status and became the face, albeit not a handsome one, of the franchise. It would thrill me if I went to training camp and saw some velocity in his passes that I didn’t see before. I would be amazed if he developed feet and agility to rival Donald Penn. But while the one lonely statistic the MGM holds up as proof of a great rookie campaign is impressive; I can’t get past the other ten that say otherwise. It’s like a tall, skinny, homely, scraggly hair, awkward, deep voiced, spectacled, girl shows up as your blind date and your matchmaker friend tells you about her S.A.T score
June 20th, 2014 at 9:04 am
Regardless of if he lasts the full season or not- his work with the team will allow Glennon to pick up the slack on a much better basis than he was able to do previously. Glennon should have a better understanding of how the offense works.
Aside from that though, Glennon will be able to play with an upgraded offense and an offense that- due to Mccown’s diligence, will be much further along from day 1 in learning the new playbook than they ever have been for this team under a new coordinator.
If he stays healthy though, and continues his run from Chicago then look out. Bucs fans have no idea what they are about to see. I suggest watching the games he started last year. Josh turned a serious corner last year.
He lost a couple games but that was ONLY because the defense was nearly legendarily bad. It was one of those occasions where you hoped the other team would score fast because you knew they couldn’t stop Josh and the Bears offense.
He should have been undefeated in his run in chi-town. He moved the offense continually and scored almost at will. They still had the number 2 scoring offense last year even though Mccown started several games. Jay had a really good year, but despite that Mccown’s performance was so good the fans and media were clamoring for Josh to become the starter.
If they can keep the defense at bay- through the O-line as well as the play calling, he is going to show everyone down here what he has become. And that is one hell of a good Qb.
June 21st, 2014 at 9:42 am
What’s with the name calling? Is that all you got? Proved our point. owlykat, you’re just a hater and a dork.