Columnist Not Buying Josh McCown Hype
July 22nd, 2014
Prickly Pete Prisco has not hopped aboard the Josh McCown bandwagon.
To hear Lovie Smith talk, Josh McCown, 35, is the consummate quarterback, both on the field and off. Hearing McCown’s Bucs teammates rave about his leadership reinforces everything Lovie says about him.
Then you look at the numbers, and they are unforgiving. Aside from a five-game stretch last year, McCown has been, to be polite, a marginal NFL quarterback.
This is one of the things that is so intriguing about this season. Which Josh McCown will show up? The five-game wizard of last season or a guy who couldn’t find an NFL job in 2010?
Well, one columnist from CBSSports.com, the one and only prickly Pete Prisco, isn’t buying the McCown hype. And he believes the lack of a quarterback will keep the Bucs in the lower tier of NFL teams this season, ranking them at No. 24 in his preseason power rankings.
They’ve added some nice pieces for new coach Lovie Smith. Now they have to figure out if they have enough at quarterback.
Again, Joe wants to believe Lovie. Then Joe remembers quarterbacks such as Matt Flynn, Rob Johnson and Scott Mitchell. Each subbed for star quarterbacks and shined for a handful of games, only to cash in on their short period of fame with new teams and totally flopped.
For every Rich Gannon, who caught fire late in his football life, there is a Flynn, Johnson and Mitchell.
If McCown can recapture his 2013 five-game magic from last season with the Bears, then the Bucs could have a nice season. If not? Uh, oh.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:12 pm
There is nothing saying a guy can’t get better but I think everyone can agree that Josh hasn’t done anything in the past to make one believe that we don’t have to worry about the quarterback position. Here’s hoping he much better player this year.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Wow… just got out of a meeting… let me just tell you Joe… Lovie doesn’t like you very much.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:15 pm
“If ifs and buts were candy and nuts We’d all have a merry Christmas.” Hang on in there Joe …… we’re nearly there!
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:18 pm
In the times we have talked, Lovie’s been quite kind to Joe.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:19 pm
Phil:
Exactly.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:28 pm
I am just glad we have a quality backup QB…. 😛
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:37 pm
I just hope they go with Glennon if he proves to be the better option during camp and preseason. It would not be fair to Glennon again to throw him in after the 1st QB trashed the season.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:41 pm
If everyone believed McCown was really the QB from 2013 – instead of the other guy from the previous decade – I think it would’ve taken more than a few measly bucks to sign him. We got him cheap for a reason.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Keeping my fingers crossed.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Not sold on McCown but he did have weapons at Chicago that helped him look better. I think there is always going to be someone to throw to in our receiver lineup. Just to many big guys to cover so this should help McCown if he can make quick decisions because our O-line probably isn’t going to give him a lot of time to throw. If Tedford’s play calling can keep the defense off balance it should buy a little more time but it’s a big question mark for sure. I like the possibilities but right now that’s all they are….possibilities not probabilities.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:52 pm
We’ll begin to find out very soon… I’m optimistic. This is an exciting time to be a Bucs fan. I understand McCown’s history, so I don’t expect a Pro Bowl season, but I think he can play winning football. Winning QB play is: (a) consistently deliver the ball to your playmakers when they’re open, (b) don’t turn the ball over, (c) be aggressive downfield when the play is there, (d) take calculated risks, and (e) be a leader and make the plays in crunchtime. You can talk numbers all you want; Joe can kvetch all he wants about “4th best QB in the division”; national writers can raise doubts. Bottom line is consistency as I described. As long as they play defense like we all hope, McCown can be just solid and that will be enough to win 10-12 games.
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Joe, It’s time for you to get on the Glennon team. I can’t wait till you will also be called a “Mobster”. Glennon will be the starter be for game six.
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:10 pm
Bucfan77:
As always, Joe wants anyone who quarterbacks the Bucs to do well. If they do well, very likely the team is doing well.
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:16 pm
And if he flops the QB of the future will become the QB of the present, sleep well and fear not Bucs fan the Cannon will be more prepared to save the day this year if needbe
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:24 pm
MGM!
.
.
.
.
(I’m just a big fan of Metro Goldwyn Mayer studios)
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:26 pm
Rotoworld reporting that Nicks is medically cleared for action…Get on this Joe I want more details!
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:29 pm
No matter what kind of year Josh McCown has he will be the worst QB in the division.
We should all be happy if the Bucs go 7 – 9.
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:34 pm
What do you mean? This was widely reported during OTAs. smh About a month-old, man.
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Pete Prisco is in the top 5 of worst sports columnists. I listen to yahoo sports before I take that guys analysis into consideration. Hell, I might even consider shuan king over Pete!
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Rotoworld reporting that Nicks is medically cleared for action…Get on this Joe I want more details!
What do you mean? This was widely reported during OTAs. smh About a month-old, man.
I believe that all your articles said that it was believed or expected but up to this point had not been confirmed
July 22nd, 2014 at 1:44 pm
LOL!
July 22nd, 2014 at 7:45 pm
I’m always late to the party, so I am reposting this from the last thread.
Just a reminder: during the last 13 games of last year, the Bucs scored 254 points = 19.5 points per game, and that was with MG8 @ QB, and without Evans, ASJ, Sims, Herron, and all the free agents and other draft picks on the OL. So they have to do better than that with Josh McCown and all the new weapons.
These are the average PPG allowed by the defenses McCown played full games against in 2013: Balt 22.0, GB 26.8, Dall 27.0, Wash 29.9, and Minn 30.0!
These are the average PPG allowed by the defenses that MG8 faced in his 13 games:
Atl x2 ~27.7, Buff 24.2, Pha 23.9, Det 23.5, StL 22.8, Mia 20.9, Ariz 20.2,
NO 19.0, SF 17.0, Car x 2 ~ 15.1, and Sea 14.4!
So what’s the point? 4 of 5 of McCown’s games were against opponents giving up ~ 27 ppg or more. Was he that good, or were the opposing defenses that BAD?
On the other hand, 7 of the 13 defenses that Glennon faced gave up less than 21 PPG on average, and five of those games were against the TOP FOUR scoring defenses in the league. Meanwhile, the Bucs defense allowed 25.5 PPG over that same time. Was Glennon that bad, or were the opposing defenses that GOOD? Peyton AVERAGED more than 3 TDs/game last year, but LOST to Seattle. Was he that bad, or was the Seattle D that GOOD?
tickrdr
July 22nd, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Yes it is good that we have one of the best quality back-up QB’s in the NFL, unfortunately he is our starting quarterback.