Sure Sounds Like Raheem Prefers Leftwich
August 21st, 2009
Joe’s going to let this Raheem The Dream quote do the talking.
Simply stated, The Dream tells Chris Mortenson, of BSPN, that Byron Leftwich has the intangibles and Luke McCown is “trying to finally get it.”
Morris will name either Byron Leftwich or Luke McCown as the team’s starting quarterback after Saturday night’s preseason game in Jacksonville. Leftwich appears to have the inside track, but Morris didn’t rule out McCown. Morris on the quarterbacks: “With Leftwich, you talk about a guy who’s won some games in this league, has a swagger, has some leadership skills and gets the team concept. He’s been in the fire and he’s not afraid to stare down the barrel and throw a strike down the field. You’re talking about two different guys, both hungry, one trying to get back and one trying to finally get it.”
That’s the biggest glimpse to date into Raheem The Dream’s take on the quarterback competition. And it sure seems like he has his favorite. Joe just hopes Raheem The Dream has a truly open mind entering Saturday night’s game.
While the head coach says he’ll name a starter early next week, Joe would prefer he wait until next Friday after the Miami game on Thursday night, if that’s what it takes to make the clearest decision.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Sorry no excitment, no buzz (and probably no new ticket sales) for Leftwich starting. Probably the best choice currently and this is itself unfortunate. Not sure McCown would generate much either but he has at least been here a while. Actually JJ might create a buzz.
Not sure when but eventually we need to give the keys to Freeman and rise and fall through his learning process. You don’t move up to take a “franchise” QB and not play him quickly…unless you’re Green Bay but then they sort of had a reason 😉
August 21st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Oh, I should say at least if Leftwich wins the job I hope he’s awesome and wins all his starts, just I don’t think that I (or many) will be enthused by his selection or I fear his play. But hope springs enternal!
August 21st, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Yeah, he’s great! That is why The Jaguars cut him after giving him years to get better than what he was playing. That is why Falcons Fans were chanting for Joey Harrington to replace him. That is why he was just a back up in Pittsburg.
Now I know why you call Raheem “The DREAM”. He must be a Dreamer!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:02 pm
“What you talk’n about Willis?”
Sorry, That pick reminds me of Gary Coleman!
August 21st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Well it’s better than Gary Glitter.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hey hey hey it’s Byron Sandwich at quarterback !!
August 21st, 2009 at 10:16 pm
It is nice to have a backup that has experience, but dont look to the future of this franchise with this man at the healm.
I would rather nurture unproven rookies than take sloppy seconds from other teams that have already rejected them.
August 21st, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Joe, I sense the fans already have become Debbie Downers and we have exactly one preseason game under our belt. What gives?
August 21st, 2009 at 11:22 pm
George:
On face value, there really is nothing to get worked up about over this team. For example, name a playmaker on defense. There might be two — maybe. But both (Ronde Barber and Barrett Ruud) have major liabilities.
That said, when the Bucs have their starting 11 on defense (Jackson and likely Talib will be suspended) they could surprise.
Offensively, the Bucs don’t have a quarterback any playoff hopeful team would start. Plus, wide receiver is a massive question mark.
Not a whole lot of optimism there for Bucs fans to get excited about.
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:27 am
The Defense has me excited, looking forward to Black, Rudd, Talib (whenever) and Piscatelli – I think several on the D will shine and be playmakers. The D won’t be as bad as the NFL talking heads seem to think.
The O? Well, when has the Tampa O not been a work in progress?
1979 maybe? When we rode a 2nd year starter QB who did start in his rookie year and had his ups and down…including a broken jaw but he even played with it. We went 5-11 the next year 10-6. Leftwich no excitement in another journeyman stop gap QB.
Excitment, let Freeman start and learn by doing by taking his lumps,
I know Joe does not agree but let the future start soon or next year’s ticket sales will really be a problem.
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 am
OK so let’s say they have a losing season… a very losing season. Who will they pick in the first round? Josh Freeman, Aqib Talib, Gaines Adams, Carnell Williams, Michael Clayton, Kenyatta, Booger, Dunn, Reidel? Davin Joseph, Warren Sapp & Derrick Brooks(same year) are the missing names here that have performed to the level of a #1 Pick. The rest have done OK, some better than others, but History dictates the Bucs would be better off trading away their first round pick for a second and a third or even three thirds. They have had an uncanny ability to draft the wrong guy as the star, and Mark Dominick has been here during that entire period. The jury is still out on Freeman, but he’s no Matt Ryan, that’s for sure. When you think back to the amount of garbage drafted by this team, it was quite a feat getting that Superbowl Trophy, and thank God for FA’s or it would not have happened. They are always about “Steals” and they have had a bunch, but if they could just make their #1’s and #2’s payoff they might find a bus out of Lodi.