Lovie’s Goal: McCown In 2015
November 8th, 2014
With the second half of the season here and Lovie Smith returning to his handpicked quarterback with loads of optimism and talking about being “still in it,” one thing is crystal clear: Lovie wants Josh McCown to be his starting quarterback in 2015.
Why else would Lovie go back to McCown?
Yes, Joe’s written countless times since Sept. 21 that the McCown era should be over following three starts that proved he doesn’t protect the football, makes high-school decisions, can’t lead a team to play for him (Bucs didn’t show up in Atlanta on national television), and his own coach took the ball out of hands against the Rams. Remember those eight consecutive red-zone runs?
But Joe’s primary reason to bounce McCown back in mid-September was the Bucs’ 0-3 record with two home losses and three conference losses. That was the end of the season — and the end of the experiment.
But McCown is back. For Lovie, McCown represents his last shot to stay the course, aka win with a low-paid veteran he trusts, versus developing a rookie quarterback, something Lovie has never done.
The easiest thing for Lovie is to have McCown, 35, succeed in the second half of the season with Marcus Arroyo. Maybe the Bucs put up a 4-4 record in the second half, much like Greg Schiano did last season. If the Bucs can move the chains like an average football team and the “Dunkaneers” show signs of life, then Lovie can play status quo and keep building his beloved defense this offseason.
Joe hates the thought of this because Joe does not believe the Bucs have a shot to win anything significant, let alone a Super Bowl, with McCown. He’s a great guy — and a terrific waste of time. Can we please draft a QB with “franchise-QB” potential, like we should have in May?
Regardless, this is Lovie, a guy handing a 1-7 team to his favorite QB, the guy he wants to hand the ball to in April, when the Bucs return for spring practice.
November 8th, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Yes. He will be our QB in 2015 until draft day when Licht says FU to Lovie and drafts one.
November 8th, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Well Winston’s attorney is trying to delay his hearing until after November 17th.. Wonder why? Such a joke if you are not guilty wouldn’t you want this finally behind you? Maybe he wants it delayed until after the 2015 draft.
Is McKown’s contract guaranteed for next year? A 2 year $10million dollar deal isn’t all that bad for a veteran back up QB. I don’t see the Bucs going 4-4 against the teams coming up that are desperate for a win to make the playoffs:
Bengals, Lions, Packers, Saints, Panthers, etc.
November 8th, 2014 at 4:17 pm
So much for the rediculous “Jameis Watch”……….running a daily article about one player who may be in the 2015 draft…..
Running a daily article without even polling your readers I suspect because the poll would probably show little interest in Winston.
Umm, Joe is not a political party that runs polls to determine what to — or what not to — support. It’s a “Jameis Watch,” nothing more.–Joe
Here are the Buc Options:
McCown
Glennon
Winston
Marriota
Someone Else
Lovie has chosen McCown….for now……Winston isn’t an option until after the season when he declares and when we know our draft position and who the other college prospects are…..and we see how McCown performs. (likely may know soon)
November 8th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
How crazy would it be if the Bucs go 3-13 and Lovie doesn’t draft a QB but instead a DE or LT.
And THEN decides to go with McCown at the vet and Glennon as the backup QB of the future… in 2015?!?!?!?!?!
November 8th, 2014 at 4:19 pm
By the way, Joe….its your site and you can certainly run what you like…..so, no need to tell me that…..
November 8th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Just one of the reasons that I think we made a Huge mistake with the hire of this terrible coach!
November 8th, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Doesn’t really matter what Lovie wants at this point. McCown still has to perform and lead the team to wins. We’ll see how that goes tomorrow…
November 8th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
If the Bucs go with McClown in 2015, I quit. Dead serious. That says a lot. I’ve been watching this franchise since they drafted Testaverde.
Done.
November 8th, 2014 at 4:42 pm
Find me four wins for this team. I double dare you. Lovie went to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman. Do you fans really think he is going to draft a rookie QB? Dream on, he was hired before Licht, so just remember who’s calling the shots here. Licht will draft who Lovie tells him to.
November 8th, 2014 at 4:42 pm
I wonder about QBs that have some NFL experience already… Nick foles, Jimmy Garapalo, Kirk Cousins, someone who may have shown signs in games that just need a different system…. If the Bucs can find a really good OC then he might could work wonders for someone like this…
November 8th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Licht saying FU to his master Lovie? Ha!
Lovie has that poor soul chain whipped worse than Schiano on Dom. Lapdog Licht nor Liar Lovie have the stones to take a chance on a any QB other than a washed up veteran. If Lovie starts McClown opening day 2015, I may boycott the Bucs.
Why did Lovie have to turn out to be so bad?
November 8th, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Rob Chudzinski for OC. get it done lovie it will pay dividends n the long run
November 8th, 2014 at 4:53 pm
Does Lovie really think he will have another HC job in 2015…and his next GM will let him sign much less start McClown ?
November 8th, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Why Lovie? Why?
November 8th, 2014 at 4:59 pm
Sad to say it but I have lost all confidence in lovie smith. He has no clue what he doing. You would not expect a veteran couch to make make so many personal blunders.
The offseason signings stink.. the QB situation stinks.. the coaching stinks… the game plans stick ( just look at the punting strategy..) this is a veteran head coach we are talking about.
I think lovie is one of those guys who makes decisions based on the now rather than taking to account the future and the past. sounds like panic moves to keep his job. rather than build for next year..
I hate to say it but I think he should do the decent thing and step down. The glazers really need to get a good coach in here and for me there are only 2 names and that is marty schottenheimer or jon gruden. proven winners. I know people will disagree but that’s what I would do. and I would get bill polian in her as GM. we need some respectability and experience back even if its just for the next 3 years..
November 8th, 2014 at 5:05 pm
@joe
Will this before or after Lovie starts to come in to work with no pants???
November 8th, 2014 at 5:05 pm
Joe you get all hot and bothered when your posters don’t speak the truth so unless you’ve heard from Lovie his self how would you have a clue on who is going to be our QB next year.
You might want to read what’s actually written here, Mr. Gooberville. –Joe
It amazes me how you can decide Mccown is not the answer after the first 3 games when the team just found out about the OC leaving for good, the O-line still learning, and a new play caller that was scared to open the offense up. But somehow after we have seen Glennon for 2 years that he is somehow going to get miraculously better. I do believe that MCcown will be the starter next year but not because of your reasons but for the reason he was hired to begin with and that’s to be a bridge to the new starter that was supposed to be Glennon but who has proven he is not so it will be a new QB that will be drafted.
November 8th, 2014 at 5:12 pm
If the Bucs lose tomorrow, but McCown plays acceptable to Lovie, those two possibilities could happen, Lovie will drum that up as making progress somehow. I can hear him now saying we’re almost there in the win column, hold on a bit longer Bucs fans, McCown will lead us to the promised land of at least one more win. Small potato’s, that’s Lovie for you.
November 8th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
McCown favorite???? Nope
He is the best available. And great to have help develop the next franchise QB.
Go Bucs!!!
In Lovie I TRUST!!!
November 8th, 2014 at 5:16 pm
@gooberville- your argument is flawed as you stated mcown was brought in to bridge the gap to glennon starting which meant that lovie thought glennon was not ready to start this year. so would it not be unfair to say that glennon did a bad job when he was clearly still on ready in lovies eyes.
so the theory here is looking long term now that the season is lost would it not be better to keep playing glennon so he could develop the areas that the coaching staff found him to be lacking in preseason which caused them to bring in mcown.
If not this again proved lovie lied and never intended on playing glennon and also lied to the fans about him been the quarterback of the future.
I am ok with glennon not been the QB of the future but why does lovie have to lie to us fans about it. we aren’t stupid. just tell us the truth.
November 8th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
McCown is cheap.
We could also move V-jax and save some money.
Then we can get volunteers to work the stadium.
That would save money too.
Then we can use all that saved money to….to…..
…….wait……..what do we used the saved money for again?
Go Bucs!!11
November 8th, 2014 at 5:23 pm
McCown gets his second chance tomorrow with this team
No doubt the first three games were a joke in multiple ways with little chance of success and hardly entirely McCowns fault.
I’m anxious to see tomorrow if this whole McCown thing is going to be something or just a mistake.
The rest of the team is much more ready than his first couple of tries so if tomorrow the offense doesnt look good I think it would be on him
Its hard for me to base anything on those first three games since basically everything was bad.
OK McCown-lets see what ya got
November 8th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Have to disagree. I think McCown is a much better QB than he showed early on with a really bad OL. Also if you look at how the Browns dominated a good Cincy team, our Defense did a great job last week so Lovie is getting his Defense shaping into what he needs, and what we expected from the start. We should have listened to Brooks on how long it takes. We now know Glennon is not the answer so they can trade him off next year and get a draft choice for him. If we got a Franchise QB in round one, a pass rusher in round two, a Guard in round three, got Max off the Texans’ Practice Squad to be our MLB and moved Foster to SLB, and switched our OTs, we could make a big difference next year.
November 8th, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Lovie’s goal is to extract as much money from the glaziers before they fire him as possible
November 8th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Joe
QBs under pressure have to think fast, our have proven they cannot, nor can they throw under pressure and on a lot of downs with no pressure they could not hit an open receiver if their livelihood depended on it which it does, so we just wait and watch until we obtain a great QB, who knows maybe Payton or any other of the great ones may want to come here when their contract is up.
November 8th, 2014 at 5:48 pm
My goal: New Head Coach in 2015!
November 8th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
Lovie says some weird stuff man
November 8th, 2014 at 5:53 pm
McCown is clown it was a joke to bring him here he has as many int as he does TD that a joke and a slap in the face to all BUCS fans. They want use to believe in a 35 year old bad back up. If we don’t draft a QB in the first round I don’t know if I can even watch the garbage they keep putting on the field anymore
November 8th, 2014 at 5:55 pm
It’s a “Jameis Watch,” nothing more.–Joe
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I guess Joe will be the first signature on Buc1987’s much ballyhooed petition.
November 8th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
McCown is 35 F-in years old and has sucked for all but 5 games of his professional career. What tutelage can he provide to a young QB other than how to be a backup QB, which is exactly what he is and should be? Veterans that were once starters are whats good for developing QBs, that and an offensive coordinator with half a clue.
November 8th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
The sad part of this all is us fans keep watching regardless and spending money while they strut out this bs every year hoping we return to relevance again. i just hope its sooner rather than later..
November 8th, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Lovie went back to McCown cause he can run for his life. Glennon is a pure pocket passer and this offense can’t protect him.
That’s just silly, Glennon had loads of time the past couple of games. –Joe
So instead of getting Glennon killed, or destroying his confidence, Lovie pulled him until he gets the offensive line settled in and some semblance of a running game. The sky is falling chicken little crap really sucks. I know you’re trying to come up with things for your readers but implying what Lovie will do next year as if it is truth only supplies misinformation to the sheep that hang onto your every word.
Please don’t insult Joe’s readers. –Joe
November 8th, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Have to disagree with you Joe. The Glazers can put up with inept football, but I don’t think they will allow Bucs to yet again pass on franchise QBs of high ceiling just so that we develop other areas on the team and then bring in a young QB only to suck for two more years. Aint happening. I think the Glazers are good owners and I remember when they fired Gruden for mediocrity and never developing a franchise QB. They may not fire Lovie, but I have a good feeling we will even sell the farm if that is what it takes to grab one of those two QBs, hopefully Jameis.
November 8th, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Mach says
Why does lovie have to lie to us fans. we aren’t stupid, just tell us the truth.
I don’t think lovie is lying at all. What he’s trying to say is ” if you like your quarterback, you can keep your quarterback.
November 8th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Just not feeling as much doom and gloom as some.
I think Glennon has shown both his floor, and ceiling.
He ain’t bad, but doesn’t possess the skills to be great, either.
Why not let McCown- with the big arm and mobility- go see if this offense can work as designed? Glennon couldn’t show you that.
Even if we draft Mariota/Winston/whoever, he typically ain’t starting Day one.
Think McCown was handicapped by the whole “Tedford” fiasco.
My big concern isn’t our current QB, it’s why haven’t we hired a new Offensive coordinator? That was not a job our current guy has ever been considered qualified to do! Arroyo is A QB coach!
What are they waiting for? I think Tedford proved untrustworthy. Might as well get the new guy in here
November 8th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
That’s just silly, Glennon had loads of time the past couple of games. –Joe
_______________________________________________________
BS, last game was the first time that Glennon had “some” time, and that was about every other snap.
Please don’t insult Joe’s readers. –Joe
____________________________________
So it’s now an insult for some to believe you?
Dude, go watch the film. –Joe
November 8th, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Lovie is turning the job over to McCowan because he’s a better quarterback than Glennon. Last week’s game was a victory for us if Glennon did his job. He has more protection than McCowan had in his games. I saw what McCowan did for the Bears last year, did you Joe?
November 8th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
I think we’ll improve dramatically next season. I see 3-4 wins.
November 8th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Lovie doesn’t have the luxury of time to develop a QB…he’s 1-7 with a team that spent a lot of money “upgrading” it’s roster. Under those circumstances we are better off with him not drafting a QB because it will be a wasted pick if Lovie is fired….Every coach wants “his guy(s)”…this the reason McCLOWN is starting again.
November 8th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Not buyinng it joe.
No way are the glazers going to let mccown go into next season as the qb and Glennon as backup again. If they want to sell tickets . The glazers are easily influenced by the fans. Once they see those season ticket sales lovie is going to be forced to draft a qb either in the 1st or 2nd round.
So you’re calling the Glazers “easily influenced,” really? These are the owners who were willing to take their lumps with blackouts, unlike other teams that couldn’t sell enough tickets. And they’re the same group that fired Chucky with three years left on his contract to hire Raheem Morris? They’re also the same group that was at the bottom of the league payroll when the salary cap disappeared. No, Joe wouldn’t call Team Glazer “easily influenced” by fans.–Joe
November 8th, 2014 at 7:20 pm
Either way all I hope is we start winning some games soon. I don’t really care what they do in the end as long as they Win consistently. Good management finds a way to adopt AND WIN WITH WHAT THEY. I just hope l and l can find a way.
November 8th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
@MASH
Rob Chudzinski??
GREAT IDEA!!
Hey everybody, listen up.
This fan @mash is smart.
I swear its a great idea. Chudzinski would be a dope hire for OC.
November 8th, 2014 at 7:50 pm
The Silhouettes had a song in 1957 that fits well for Lovie
And when I get the paper
I read it through and through
And my TEAMl never fails to say
If there is any work for me
And when I go back to the bUS
I hear the OWNER’S mouth
Preaching and a-crying
Tell me that I’m lying
November 8th, 2014 at 7:53 pm
just wow! Really?
November 8th, 2014 at 9:19 pm
@Joe
But within the same time period the fans wanted raheem gone. Next year heem is gone. Then the fans want them to spend money the last three years their the tops in fa money spent. Fans wanted schiano fired last year. Then he’s fired. All I’m saying is maybe easily influenced isn’t the word but they def try more recently to be tuned into the fan base. Why did the fire gruden again? His inability to find a young franchise qb. Raheems first draft pick. Josh Freeman. I think they’re more tuned in to the fans then you think Joe just my opinion.
“Tuned in” does not equal “easily influenced.” They’re the same owners who knew Jerramy Stevens made fans vomit, yet he was a re-signed, a marginal player. Joe could give all kinds of counter examples. –Joe
November 8th, 2014 at 11:23 pm
To who ever said we should hire Marty Schottenheimer. Stop it. Dude is 71
November 8th, 2014 at 11:40 pm
Tampa Bay Bucs…NFL laughing stock since 2014
November 9th, 2014 at 12:13 am
Love Smith. Most pathetically stupid and ineffective coach since Bears fans found out he’s much better suited to just be a DC.
November 9th, 2014 at 1:36 am
Well now with “TM” McCown (turnover machine) back in the lineup I can safely say Bucs receivers once again return to being irrelevant in both real and fantasy football….the Falcons secondary will have more catches, yards, and TD’s than Evans, Jackson, or Murphy with MCCown throwing off his back foot panic throws. It’s almost entertaining watching this train wreck on TV because I can’t believe how this team has gone from playing bad to playing Jaguars on an off day bad, but I truly feel bad for you guys spending your hard earned money to go to the stadium and witness Lovie ball.
November 9th, 2014 at 6:21 am
What NFL player would want to come here and play for a coach like this who can’t make up his mind and. Is grasping at straws ,,,?
November 9th, 2014 at 8:04 am
Lovie is delusional. McCown blows. He’s been a career back up for a reason. He should have taken Sanchez in FA. Cheaper younger and better than what we have now.
November 9th, 2014 at 8:49 am
McCown will mentor the QB we draft. Trade Glennon.
November 9th, 2014 at 10:53 am
Who would Lovie rather have as a mentor to his young starter next season? McCown or Glennon? I’d take McCown all day. His skill set is much more similar to whomever we will get (Mariota, Winston, Hundley, Cook) plus he has excelled in the role before. I say we keep Glennon just in case we draft Melman the Giraffe so he can mentor him.
November 9th, 2014 at 11:43 am
I swear if Lovie does the same thing he did this year and start McCown I’m going to puke. Make the same mistake by starting the same worthless mediocre wannabe qb and wasting yet another season. If that’s the plan then please show Lovie the door. Marcus Mariotta needs to be our starting QB with Mike Gleenon keeping the bench warm.