How McCown Learned Of Cut
February 12th, 2015
Lovie Smith tried several times to reach Josh McCown to inform him of his release.
The NFL is such a popular business, pastime and sport, that every tiny move, if someone talks to the right person, is instantly all over Twitter and then breaking news on national television and radio shows in seconds.
Unlike what happens to many players, former Tampa Bay quarterback Josh McCown did not learn of his release from anyone outside the Bucs organization.
In fact, Lovie had tried to call McCown several times Wednesday to tip him off.
Problem was, McCown was nowhere near his phone.
“I was playing in the backyard with my kids, playing a little hoops with my kids,” McCown told Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller, co-hosts of “Movin’ the Chains,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio this afternoon. “I had a few missed calls from Lovie. So I called and we talked it through. I could understand by the tone of his voice and the nature of the conversation” Lovie had bad news.
“I went down there for Lovie. We have a great relationship. I have so much respect for him as who he is as a man and just the way he goes about building a team. So I understood. The relationship [between Lovie and McCown, releasing the quarterback] was a hard thing to do; it was a hard decision to make.”
McCown, class guy that he is, lauded Lovie and general manager Jason Licht and thanked them for releasing him when they did.
By being on the open market Feb. 12, McCown has a month to woo another team before the free agent dinner bell rings on March 10.
February 12th, 2015 at 7:45 pm
Woohoo! We did something right!!
Good luck, McCown.
February 12th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
Have nothing bad to say about McCown. His play speaks for itself but wish him nothing but the best going forward.
February 12th, 2015 at 8:11 pm
What Couch fan just said!
February 12th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
Exactly,
couch
McCown is all class. Good luck Josh!
February 12th, 2015 at 9:10 pm
When it comes to character #TheCreepyCrab is in a cell of his own. McCown,Glennon, and Mariota are outstanding men of high moral fiber. #TheCreepyCrab? Well he’s a #DirtBag
February 12th, 2015 at 9:18 pm
Barry, Winston played baseball at FSU, he was never a Dirtbag.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:21 pm
And good guys have gotten us where exactly?
February 12th, 2015 at 9:49 pm
That’s probably the biggest pro of Lovie is his interpersonal skills – best wishes Josh!
February 12th, 2015 at 9:52 pm
There’s nothing about Winston than makes him a dirtbag…the allegation was nonsense and the rest is silliness. I guess everyone who ever “stole” from a store or shot a BB gun somewhere they shouldn’t is a dirtbag.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:58 pm
Class act, worse QB in Bucs history.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:06 pm
Class act, yes. But he played Qb like Ben Bishop is playing goalie tonight…Turrible
February 12th, 2015 at 10:14 pm
It isn’t McClown’s fault that his offensive coaches were hacks and his O-line was filled with bums. It isn’t his fault that Liar Smith decided to stick with him till the nosedive hit the ground instead of playing Glennon.
He did his best, which unfortunately wasn’t enough. He’s just not a starting QB. He’s a capable backup and that’s all he’ll be. He is a class act and a good person. Good luck to him.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Good guy, got the feeling our fanbase is about to see how much NOT having an offensive coordinator caused the play of the QB to look bad…he’s going to get a shot somewhere, hopefully with a team WITH an OC and and an established o-line.
Classy guy, wish him the best.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:23 pm
Awww, how sweet?
Thanks for shepherding the lowest point in Bucs history since Glazer ownership.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:56 pm
You guys make fun of him All you want in your small psyche’s. The man Played in the NFL for Over a decade and made more money than most of you ever will. You want to bash him? Dude was handed a raw deal as we ALL werel
Kudos to you Josh for being a class act throughout it all no matter what. I will go back to my 120,000 dollar a Year job and MAYBE I will make as much as he did in the next 40 years or so I can match him what he has worked for in his life.
Sometimes perspective about hard work and achievements can be Eye Opening
February 13th, 2015 at 12:31 am
WHAT IF we could get Peat And Fowler Jr. in the First round, And get Perryman at 34? Courtesy of the Browns with their second this yr, first next yr and Alex Mack as the kicker.!
February 13th, 2015 at 12:33 am
With that I am dragging my knuckles to bed.
February 13th, 2015 at 3:58 am
How pissed do you think McCown was after getting that call? This kid took a royal ass whoopin for this coaching staff and this team this past year. Light & Lovie gave him no running game, a limited receiving corps to throw to, a completely over his head offensive coordinator, and NO offensive line protection. This guy spent half of his season holding onto the ball a second too long, and the other half of the season on his backside. McCown is going to have collision aches and pains from hits he took this year for the rest of his life. And he never one time bitched. Not saying he’s the answer. Not saying a bunch of his poor play wasn’t his fault. Just that he stood in there and took a beating that we all watched, and we wondered if that was the hit that he wasn’t gonna get up from. In his mind, you have to think that he figured that the Bucs would draft Winston/Mariota, trade Glennon, and McCown gets to be a QB coach/back up for a couple of years as a reach-around for being mercilessly thrown to the wolves this year. Gotta be big time disappointing for him.
February 13th, 2015 at 8:36 am
The fact is, Lovie took a career backup quarterback and tried to plug him into a team without any offensive line talent, not sure Tom Brady would have done much behind that group of bums….
Still, McCown typically appeared shaken and hesitant. He got mauled and that’s not his fault.
The $5 million was hazardous duty pay and the Buccaneer organization should also pay his relocation expenses.
The sad fact is, he may be the most desirable quarterback on a free agency list that would make anyone shudder.
Simple as that…..
February 13th, 2015 at 9:01 am
Major disappointment on the field, but otherwise a class guy all around.
February 13th, 2015 at 9:07 am
Josh McCown has accomplished more in his life than most of th haters on this page.
At least he cared, unlike that punkass josh freebase.
February 13th, 2015 at 10:12 am
he and his brother were pure class in tampa, even if they never got it right at QB between them. i still think luke was the most worthy starter the year he got hosed by raheem and dominick’s keystone cops offseason. in any case, best wishes to the mccowns, sorry it never worked out on the field, but thanks for the #1 overall pick. hopefully we spend it wisely, it”s Josh’s tampa bay legacy at this point
February 13th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
You know Barry, much could be said of you. It is not your job to judge. That job is already taken, and besides I doubt if you would be very good at it.
If you can’t forgive the man for his transgressions, then just move along with your life.
Remember, to continually disparage a man speaks about your character as well.
February 13th, 2015 at 3:35 pm
You do know hashtags don’t work here, right?
I’m SO tired of people making this comparison.
You know what, i’m going to say that, YES, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and/or Aaron Rodgers would’ve done exactly fine with what we had. Why?
Because those QBs are smart enough and would’ve made checks at the line and made the adjustments necessary. The QBs job is to make those around him better (remember when you all used that argument against Freeman?).