Two Starting Quarterbacks?

June 27th, 2014

McCownGlennonSage NFL coaches, and even new ones, know much of their success comes down to quarterback play.

The Rex Grossman types just aren’t good enough any longer in the modern NFL. Questionable QBs don’t land in Super Bowls nowadays.

Former Jets and Chiefs head coach, and ex-Bucs assistant head coach, Herm Edwards, shared some of his wisdom about quarterbacks on 99.3 FM in Fort Myers recently.

It was especially interesting to Joe because Edwards was asked to take a step back and re-evaluate his head coaching career — just like Edwards’ friend Lovie Smith did last year — and say what he would do differently if he got a chance to be a head coach again.

“What I would do, I would make sure that I had two starting quarterbacks. When I had a good one, I was always in the playoffs. When I played with five in about three of my seasons being a head coach, it didn’t turn out real good. That’s kind of how it works,” Edwards said.

Joe wonders whether Lovie Smith had the same revelation last year. Perhaps Lovie looked at Mike Glennon and saw a starter but told himself he wanted two starters, including one that was better than the young guy leading the 32nd-ranked offense?

Regardless, it’s an interesting take from Edwards as it might relate to Lovie.

Bears fans know too well what happened when Jay Cutler went down in the 2010 playoffs, and in 2011, when Lovie turned to not-yet-revitalized Josh McCown and Caleb Hanie.

49 Responses to “Two Starting Quarterbacks?”

  1. SteveK Says:

    Glennon and McCown are two good options at QB.

  2. DallasBuc Says:

    Clearly Lovie did not have any such revelation with tweedle dee and tweedle dumb behind center!

  3. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    When a team has a young QB, what coach does not want an older Qb ( that could possible be better) to compete or push or even win the starting job.

    The last regime made a strong run for Carson Palmer.

  4. biff barker Says:

    Cannon fodder.

  5. Bawlmerbucfan Says:

    Quick…name the number 2 QB in Denver, Pittsburgh, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Carolina….no Googling! My point is, in today’s NFL, having 2 starting QB’s isn’t necessary or even realistic. The good ones do it with one and just hope like heck they don’t get injured.

  6. Bucfan77. Says:

    f he wanted two starters, including one that was better than the young guy leading the 32nd-ranked offense?
    ————

    Another day another attempt to minimize and trash MG8 while trying to close it in seemingly a positive message.

    If Joe wishes to show he believes Glennon is a true starter all he has to do is acknowledge that Glennon was the best rocky last year had good stats while working behind a very porous offensive line.

  7. Mathius Says:

    It wasn’t to long ago that the phrase “if you have two starting QB’s, then you don’t have a starting QB”

    The reality is we don’t have a great QB, so get a couple of good ones. Maybe we can change QB’s every play like Spurrier did in the 90’s at UF.

    Did any one hear about how porous the Tampa line was last year? That horse has been beaten to death.

  8. Buc the Haters Says:

    The MGM is a bunch of overly-sensitive whiny babies… We have 2 good starting-caliber QB’s & either one of them has the ability to take us all the way with the stellar supporting cast we have. McCown is our clearcut leader for the time being and according to teammates, he is just ‘on another level’ above Glennon as far as leadership and execution of the offense. Stop crying and support our guys.

  9. Patrick Says:

    Mike Glennon didn’t lead the 32nd ranked offense.

  10. Louis Friend Says:

    What cracks me up is that we continually gather around like a bunch of old ladies in a sewing circle debating the QB’s as if WE had some kind of ability to affect the coach’s decision about who starts and plays. God I really hate the weeks leading up to training camp.

    No member of the Bucs with decision making power over the roster is reading this drivel, I think I think it’s safe to say.

    But Joe, your hit count stays high if you keep antagonizing either side of the QB ‘debate’. Too bad we can’t start a Coke or Pepsi thread.

  11. SteveK Says:

    Mike Glennon has a cannon. Mike Glennon is our QB of the future. Mike Glennon is battling McCown for the job.

  12. Hawk Says:

    Louis Friend Says:
    June 27th, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    What cracks me up is that we continually gather around like a bunch of old ladies in a sewing circle debating the QB’s as if WE had some kind of ability to affect the coach’s decision about who starts and plays.

    WE DON”T?!?!?! Crap. I’m wasting my time at this site. Which one are the coaching paying attention to? ;^)

    Well said, Louis Friend, but if we pay attention to your logic, there goes the only fun during this football vacuum.

  13. Bucfan77. Says:

    @ Mathius. Next time you post a rebuttal don’t make up your own argument to shoot down. No one said anything about a great quarterback.
    .
    @Buc Your name says it all.

  14. DallasBuc Says:

    We have 2 backup NFL-calibre QBs. Anything else is delusional or hopeful at best until proven otherwise…ON THE FIELD!

  15. Buc the Haters Says:

    Db,
    Both QB’s played at mid-range starter level last year (statistically). So, by definition, your assessment is false. Now, I agree they have to prove on the field that they can do it from this point forward, but everyone in the league has to do the same.

  16. DallasBuc Says:

    Statistically mid-range starter level?…that is some selective statistical analysis! Look, McCown has been a career backup even under Lovie in Chicago and sparking statistically his numbers last year would be considered an outlier when his entire career is considered in totality. Then you have Glennon who won 4 games and led the 32nd ranked offense. People please stop making these guys out to be something they have not proven themselves to be! When they win games I will believe it because they proved it. Until then, wishful thinking!

  17. OAR Says:

    No coke! Pepsi!
    No Fries! Cheeps!
    Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger!

  18. Bucsfanman Says:

    @Louis- Pepsi is the clear winner here, at least in the modern era. Think about it, Coke cannot claim that it ever burned up a King!!! Too early for a Michael Jackson reference?!

    I agree with this philosophy. Think of those teams you named Bawlmerbuc. Can you say with a straight face that if any of those starters go down you have a viable back-up? Panic! It’s the ONLY reason I think that Freeman might still get a shot!

  19. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I wouldn’t call either of our QBs anywhere near elite….they are at the very least good backups with the potential to be adequate or even good starters…..probably not great. Maybe Glennon can be great given time….but McCown has little time left.
    IMO….Our Elite players are McCoy & David with a perhaps going to:
    Jackson, Martin, Nicks, Goldson if these guys play to their potential.

    We can argue all we want about our QBs….but they are the ones we have for now….lets wish them both great success and get on with it.

  20. Buc the Haters Says:

    Db,
    Actually, my statistical analysis wasn’t selective at all. I went by the totality of LAST YEAR’S stats… Here’s a link to the espn list of Qb’s rankings, based on Total Qb rating… McCown was actually #1 instead of mid-tier. My bad, I was wrong…. http://espn.go.com/nfl/qbr

  21. INDYbucsfan Says:

    Pepsi all the way

  22. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Herm is screwed in the head. A team cannot maintain two starting quality QBs. There would be constant QB competition unless your #1 is elite.

    Which, of course, is nowhere near the case in Tampa.

  23. Buc the Haters Says:

    Based on ESPN’s Total Qb rating, we currently have the #1 Qb in the NFL (McCown) & the #27 Qb in the NFL (Glennon). I’d say we’re pretty solid at the QB position overall.

  24. Tnew Says:

    The thing is most people on this site who are willing to give Glennon a shot due to his rookie season also understand the huge value of having josh McCown on the roster to mentor Glennon. That will give him the best chance to be successful. Also, we see that the bucs can win with McCown at the helm.

    The people that seem to be anti Glennon are also anti McCown. It seems like a post draft hangover for those who didn’t get their Bortles, bridgewater, manziel or in my case Carr wish. I’ve moved on. I’m ready to see what the two guys can do. They are our qb’s and I hope one of them has a season that is successful to the point we are looking at the best guard in the draft rather than debating Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston.

  25. Chris Says:

    You mean two back ups right ?

  26. Buccfan37 Says:

    Pepsi or Coke, how about neither. High fructose corn syrup contains mercury. Bad stuff. Caramel coloring is a listed carcinogin and labled thusly in California. Drink up for rotten teeth and potential diabetes. It’s pure garbage.

  27. Tnew Says:

    Continue to make up stuff about Joe and lie .. and continue to see your comment get absorbed into the abyss. –Joe

  28. Buc the Haters Says:

    Chris is gay. (not that there’s anything wrong with that)

  29. Touch_Down_Tampa_Bay Says:

    @ Mathius If we play we two QBs PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let Glennon be the QB in the first half. I would like to see some TDs in the second half! lol

    @OAR Cheezborger Pepesi!

    @ HAWK Oh grab a rocking chair and relax. I’m going to make some sweet tea ;^)

  30. Touch_Down_Tampa_Bay Says:

    @Bucsfanman It’s the ONLY reason I think that Freeman might still get a shot!
    PANIC!!!!! lol

    I think teams will roll the dice with anyone but Freeman. Maturity needs to hit before we see him again. Party > Football and that’s a shame…

  31. BamBamBuc Says:

    My goodness, I think the MGM has this site’s comment section on auto-reply. QB of the future, Glennon has a cannon, MGM rules… more annoying than the ads that aren’t muted until mouse-over and mobile pop-ups…

  32. BoJim Says:

    BamBamBuc Said:
    June 27th, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    “QB of the future, Glennon has a cannon, MGM rules.”
    ______________________________________________

    Finally seen the light I see.

  33. Buc the Haters Says:

    BBB, I try to shut these MGM fools up, but they are quite passionate/overly-sensitive/cry babies who love to say the same things over and over again about how great our back up Qb for the next 2-3 years is. Coming off last year’s statistics, Glennon is the 27th best Qb in the league & McCown. Please show some support for the our starting Qb who happens to be the the best in the NFL, based on Total Qb rating.

  34. Buc the Haters Says:

    Typos… McCown is the #1 Qb in the league, based on TQBR.

  35. Skyline Crew Says:

    Since we have a bunch of new offensive players we don’t have the #32 ranked offense from last year we have an unranked offense that hasn’t played 1 down yet. We have two good QBs, which is more than a majority of NFL teams can say.

  36. Buc the Haters Says:

    Amen, brother…

  37. Alex2013 Says:

    With this questionable offensive line, we will need both to get us through the year!

  38. Hawk Says:

    Touch_Down_Tampa_Bay Says:

    “@ HAWK Oh grab a rocking chair and relax. I’m going to make some sweet tea ;^) ”

    Free refills and I’m there! :^)

  39. IdahoBucsfan Says:

    Hater!

  40. chickster Says:

    Let just see how it all plays out I like how this site has become so trashy its quit embarrassing really and its getting to the point where its not worth reading what joe has to say if I didn’t know better I would think this was a tabloid

  41. Louis Friend Says:

    @chickster

    And yet here you are not only reading but commenting. We all want the season to start. There’s nothing left to write about so Joe and his people are just needling us for the next few weeks until there is something to write about. So relax Francis.

  42. Buc89 Says:

    Yeah Francis relax

  43. Chris Says:

    Buc the Haters Says:
    June 27th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
    Chris is gay. (not that there’s anything wrong with that)

    ____________________________________

    Funny how goons don’t get reprimanded for comments like this joe? I guess it’s bc some here are insecure with themselves.

    Anyways, I do like the team lovie and licht are building. They seem to have chemistry and enjoy working together. Seem on the same page of bringing guys in who fit. The last regime you can see there was disconnect bc the acquisitions were more “flash based” and not what fit.

    I just do not agree with the direction this team is going with the qb position. I just see McCown and glennon the type of qbs that are good back ups to have but they won’t get you to the promise land nor playoffs. People are acting like McCown is going to have a rebirth like Gannon or Warner. I hope he does but let’s be real here. He hasn’t done well under center as a starter and has questionable decision making still. He had 5 starts and went 3-2. He didn’t face a defense ranked higher than 25th and going back and rewatching those games after seeing 6 balls thrown to cowboy defenders on MNF that the DBS clearly dropped, well I had to go back and watch more of his starts and I saw more balls he got away with like that, similar to josh Freeman’s 2010 season.

  44. Buc the Haters Says:

    Chris, fair enough. I apologize for the ‘gay’ comment, but I couldn’t allow u to make such a negative assessment without at least explaining your viewpoint. I still think McCown or Glennon could both lead us to the playoffs with the level of our supporting cast, but I can understand not feeling totally comfortable with that level of optimism.

  45. mpmalloy Says:

    Man,
    We’re really desperate for something interesting to talk about.
    Makes me miss the Johnny Footabll days.

    One month to pre-season.

  46. Bucfan77. Says:

    I like the idea that a lot are now coming around to accepting our two quarterbacks. Let’s just give them both a chance to become the starter and may the best man win. That’s all we ask, is that too much ?

  47. Drew Says:

    @Chris
    You don’t like the way this new regime is going in the qb position? What else could we have done in the offseason, just curious, I’m waiting…………………… still hearing crickets. You look a Josh Mccown, a guy who might have finally got it, just like Rich Gannon. We made the qb position better this offseason, with the only way possible to do it.

  48. Chris Says:

    Drew,

    Like I said. Lovie annointed glennon as the qb of the future. I saw many qbs with better upside then this kid and even surrendering a 3rd for Ryan Mallett would be an upgrade bc that kid is ready to shred the league. He was a first round prospect who got dogged for certain issues he did as a freshman. His talent is unquestioned along with his intangibles. That was a missed opportunity.

    The reason I’m not liking the direction is I don’t think lovie has exactly learned his lesson in regards to having a good qb. I think he still thinks he can get buy with great defense and special teams. News flash. Special teams is changing and becoming non existent anymore. And the rules of the league, you need a great defense to give you a chance but look at Seattle. They did squat at qb 2010 and 2011 and they didn’t make any post season contention until Wilson came along.

  49. Hawk Says:

    @ Chris

    Why do you think that Billicheat would part with Mallet for a 3rd round pick? *I* was not aware that he’s even on the trade block, much less with a price. And even IF he were being offered for a 3rd, what would that tell you about his value? Brady is aging and Billicheat is no fool. It would tell me that Billicheat doesn’t believe that Mallet is a starter.