Josh McCown Gets Downgraded
July 22nd, 2014
Former NFL quarterback turned BSPN film guru Ron Jaworski has emerged with a fresh ranking of starting NFL quarterbacks.
“Jaws” was not kind to Bucs starter Josh McCown.
The introduction to his new rankings, which sit behind an BSPN paywall, explain that Jaworski was busy in the film room before placing McCown a notch below Sam Bradford and a tick above Johnny Football stand-in Brian Hoyer.
25. Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Previously: 22The presumptive starter in Tampa Bay, McCown played really well last season in Chicago after taking over for an injured Cutler. While McCown doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally well, he is fundamentally sound and lets the defense dictate where he goes with the ball. He had a QB rating of 108.5 on third down in 2013 and understands what defenses are trying to do. He’s great in the pre-snap phase, and with a couple of studs out wide in Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans, he should excel in Tampa Bay.
The explanation from Jaws is exciting, wonderful stuff, but then why such a crappy ranking?
That really illustrates how tough it is for a team when it has the fourth best quarterback in its division. The next closest NFC South starter to McCown is Cam Newton, ranked No. 14.
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:10 am
Again, other than McCown, who was available that would have been ahead of Newton? Same tired argument. Also, Jaws evidently believes Hoyer will beat out Manziel.
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:18 am
I love Jaws and have great respect for him. But rankings don’t matter and really don’t mean a thing. It all comes down to McCown’s play on Sunday. Way back when Bucs fans had hope of a real franchise QB, Jaws compared a Bucs QB to Payton Manning:
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=46243
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:23 am
Until Josh proves he can play at last years level for an entire season, he wont get much respect.
I think he will, but then again I thought Freeman was the answer.
But surely we have to catch a break sometime, don’t we? Pretty please?
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:39 am
Rankings are always based on what have you done for me lately. I understand that and I realize past performance can be predictive about future play but the operative word is CAN.
Rankings are always skewed. If we believe all of this about McCown then do we also believe the low rankings given Levonte. Yeah he now gets respect but nowhere near his true impact. That could all change this year for Levonte.
It could also change this year for McCown as well.
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:41 am
Unleash the Cannon on Carolina! 🙂
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:50 am
May be “tired” but until resolved, it is still relevant.
Reminds Joe when he was a kid, Joe got sick of his dad watching the nightly news. Each night, every night, it was nothing but Vietnam and/or Watergate. Beyond tired.
If somehow Joe’s dad let him watch F-Troop instead didn’t mean either issue disappeared.
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:54 am
Wow Joe. Props to you for a great analogy.
July 22nd, 2014 at 11:06 am
In 2002 when the Bucs won the Super Bowl, Brad Johnson was the 17th best QB in the league. I think the bigger issue this year is how well does the Offensive line play and how fast can they all learn a new system.
July 22nd, 2014 at 11:27 am
Ah, the memories Wrangler Jane.
And yes, McCown did string a few nice games together last year and by every account earns accolades for being a consummate pro.
But this question will remain until he had an entire season as a starter.
Is he capable of winning games for us with his arm or just here to manage Tedford’s playbook?
It’s a fair and reasonable question.
July 22nd, 2014 at 11:32 am
I take this analyzer’s opinion with a grain of pepper. Did’nt he get demoted from a higher spot? He excel’s best at running his jaws. The QB position does’nt worry me.
July 22nd, 2014 at 11:35 am
Joe
I find it interesting that a QB is rated before he has played one play with a new team. Since a QB doesn’t, at least I hope he doesn’t, throw the ball to himself, nor does he block for himself, nor does he, for the most part, run for himself, and no one has seen the offensive play selection, how can you say what he is going to do since it is a team effort.
I guess this is why Matty Ice is rated so high even though his team came in last in the division last year, I guess a high QB rating doesn’t mean the team is going to win or a low rating means the team is going to lose, it is just a rating.
I remember when Jaws was the QB for the LOS ANGELES Rams before going to the Eagles.
July 22nd, 2014 at 11:43 am
Jaws wasn’t bad on MNF, it’s more that is Chucky far superior.
July 22nd, 2014 at 11:44 am
So instead of instilling fans with a shear glimmer of hope, you’ll just infer that all is lost, and we should just accept the fact that we have the worst QB in our division? Joe, unless you have a clear cut solution, why don’t we just let it play out before we call him a bust. Your analogy would have made more sense if the McCown situation was a concrete fact. Yes, if you had watched F-troop the Vietnam War, and Watergate would have still happened, but McCown blowing up and being the worst QB in our division this season hasn’t happened yet.
July 22nd, 2014 at 11:59 am
SAMCRO:
Joe just doesn’t believe in throwing all the chips on the table in complete hope. That’s a step above believing in the tooth fairy. If this disturbs you, sorry. Joe rarely relies on the obscure; instead he relies on the norm.
If you were going to, say, lay $1,000 on a quarterback leading his team to a playoff berth, who would you bank on, a quarterback who has already done it, or a quarterback who never has? Joe would feel the same way if Brian Hoyer or Matt Flynn or Ryan Fitzpatrick was the Bucs quarterback.
Joe hopes McCown can do it. Forgive Joe if a career journeyman doesn’t have Joe racing to Vegas to drop his paycheck on that happening.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:00 pm
I am saddened at the lack of snarky digs this article would have had if it were about Glennon’s rank dropping, but as always it’s great keeping up with all things Bucs
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Jaws evaluation seems contradictary to me. Based upon the write up McCown should have graded much higher. Based on “what did you do in your last games” he should grade higher. I just don’t understand the logic that he didn’t play the full season so he he should be graded low based upon his performance in games he didn’t play in????
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:22 pm
Having the worst QB in the division doesn’t mean you will have the worst team in the division. I mean the Jets made 2 consecutive AFC championship games with maybe the worst QB in the conference. So I am not concerned with having the worst QB because it is and always will be a team game. I sure hope some people will realize this.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:44 pm
The question isn’t about his ranking – but whether or not this offense can score with him under center. Can he use his weapons, avoid mistakes and be a solid 2 minute QB? If the answer is yes, then rankings don’t matter. If not, then we won’t be talking about him as a starter next season.
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:08 pm
@Harry
Great memories. Such a waste Freeman could not keep it up.
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Josh McCown’s ranking is fair but I would have rated McCown higher than Matt Schaub. Apart from Schaub most Bucs fans would rather have every starting QB ranked ahead of McCown. One could make an argument for McCown over Sam Bradford and Ryan Tannehill but that’s it. If you’d rather have McCown over any other QB ranked ahead of him then you’re high.
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:43 pm
Solid point, Tiny Tim!
July 22nd, 2014 at 2:42 pm
The QB position will be one of our strengths this year.
July 22nd, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Buc the Haters Says:
“The QB position will be one of our strengths this year.”
I believe you are right, can’t wait to see all the McCown haters choke on their words!
July 22nd, 2014 at 6:56 pm
@Jonny2.3 – Lovie, Tedford and Arroyo would have been great for Freeman
@Buc The Haters & BritBucsince92- I’m with you. The weapons are here for him. I’m hoping Tedford, Arroyo and the QBs have great chemistry together. Go Bucs! 3 more days!!!
July 22nd, 2014 at 7:02 pm
Well, Freeman was/is there for the taking. Guessing Lovie knows why Freeman is unemployed.
July 22nd, 2014 at 7:37 pm
“May be “tired” but until resolved, it is still relevant.”
Just because you keep saying it doesn’t make it relevant…or true even.
July 22nd, 2014 at 8:01 pm
d=money:
You would take McCown/Glennon over which starting quarterback in the NFC South?
July 23rd, 2014 at 12:03 am
Blah with the fourth best crap.
IF McCown picks up where he left off last season your going to have a tough time continuing to pitch that theory lol.