McCown Feeling Like It’s 2002

July 31st, 2014

josh mccown 0618It was Vincent Jackson raving earlier this week about how Josh McCown is an extraordinary athlete, surprising his teammates at 35 years old. (You can read about that here.)

So today Joe figured he’d asked McCown if he still felt like the same guy who cranked out a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and a 38.5-inch vertical leap at the NFL Scouting Combine back in 2002.

McCown, of course, has low mileage on his body, the result of only 38 NFL starts. He’s in great shape and said he hasn’t lost any of his athletic edge in 12 years.

“I think probably every 35-year-old would tell you that (laughs). No, But I mean don’t feel any different,” McCown said. “So I don’t know; you’ll have to look at the tape and see. But I feel good. My body feels good. It really does. It doesn’t feel a whole lot different than my first few years in the league.”

So there you have it, McCown’s faster than Cam Newton, and more explosive than Newton and Colin Kaepernick, if you go by their pre-draft data. He’s got an array of weapons, too, far more than Newton will have this year.

It feels like the Bucs have a great recipe for success. McCown just has to prove he’s really a new man after five good starts in Chicago last year. That’s probably the story of the Bucs’ 2014 season right there.

21 Responses to “McCown Feeling Like It’s 2002”

  1. Couch Fan Says:

    His body doesn’t feel different because he has not played much since the his first few years in the league. Just sayin… No clue how people can get so excited over a 10+ year career back up.

  2. Buccfan37 Says:

    35 is not that old and Josh should have plenty of energy left to accomplish enough to improve the Bucs with the additional talent added.

  3. Eric Says:

    13 touchdowns one int.

    That is very exciting to me along with the highest qb rating in the league under pressure.

    Add in v jax, muscle hamster, Sims, evans, and our new tight end and an innovative offense and dang right im excited.

  4. Couch Fan Says:

    13 – 1 against defenses like Dallas… Not a single good Defense. Not very exciting

  5. Andrew 1 Says:

    But a 3rd round, 4-12 QB going on only his second season in the league is? smh. The MGM will saying anything.

  6. Couch Fan Says:

    Lol you act like 4-12 was all his fault. I’m shaking my head to. Haters will say anything.

  7. nate Says:

    He was practicing everyday against a bears defense and this year bucs defense…

  8. Andrew 1 Says:

    Nope, you’re right, my bad. Meant to say 4-9. Ah that’s much better. lol Chill man, just messin around. You still don’t believe he will be the opening day starter though, do you?

  9. Couch Fan Says:

    It’s starting to look more and more like Josh will be the starter which is scary but if he’s legitimately better I dont mind it. Just not excited about it. Rather see what we have in Glennon

  10. Andrew 1 Says:

    @ Couch Fan

    Definitely not the end for Glennon. We will see him in due time imo.

  11. Couch Fan Says:

    Yea I know its just the time that bothers me. Waiting 2 or 3 years just to see if he is any good seems like a waste when we could start finding out now Lol. I guess you can say thats Freeman’s fault Lol

  12. Andrew 1 Says:

    Could even pull a Nick Foles. He too was drafted in the third round, but had to kind of grow into the position. I think MGMers are looking at this the wrong way. Nothing could bring out Glennon’s full potential more then him sitting and learning everything he can from coaches and even a vet like McCown imo.

  13. Harry Says:

    Im excited. He is, after all keeping the “QB of the Future” in the future.

  14. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    I don’t think there is any doubt our success is riding on McCown, unless we get a bunch of devastating injuries. This is definitely the most talented team we’ve had in quite a while, and definitely the best coach we’ve had since Gruden. We have a proven great defensive coach, with what appears to be the perfect personnel to play in his defense. We have much better depth than we’ve had in years past. Our schedule is tough, but I believe manageable if we can avoid going 0-3.

    That being said, I don’t think McCown being a game manager is going to be enough to get us in the playoffs. The NFC is way too good. He’s going to have to make plays, and win us a couple games with his arm. If we have learned anything from the Schiano era it’s that you can’t pound the ball play after play and be successful in this league. You’ve got to air it out. With Jackson, Evans, Wright, Jenkins, Myers, etc. we’ve got the weapons. Now it’s just a matter of McCown being a modern day Kurt Warner.

  15. Buccfan37 Says:

    I’m glad the anti Glennon mob is secure that McCown is so much better a player and the designated starter. Some consolation after Glennon stuck with the team to this point.

  16. getaclue Says:

    Have you gone to camp and watched him? he looks impressive and very sharp

  17. ButIt941 Says:

    Even if you believe Glennon is the better QB. Why waste his talents behind a line that is the biggest question mark on this team? I look at it this way. Josh is a true veteran of the game, has had some success, and followed behind some pretty good offenses and QB through out his time in the league which leads me to believe he is a very smart QB. He also has the talent to put it all together and be a great game manager. Which at this point (with all the weapons we have) is all we really need. Someone who wont make silly mental mistakes. Now i firmly believe Glennon is our future. For now nothing but good will come from him learning from a guy like McCown on how to play not just on talent but “smart” .

  18. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Glennon sucks when the pads are on. Until he changes that he won’t get proper from me.

  19. Orca Says:

    Some people refuse to risk their know-it-allness and allow the possibility that McCown could actually have a good year. Who cares if he’s not Brady, Manning, Brees, or Rodgers? He doesn’t have to be. Allow yourself to indulge in a little bit of optimism. Reports from camp are positive. Let’s be hopeful.

  20. scubog Says:

    “Know it-allness”. I love it. Orca, you are absolutely right about those who refuse to alter their thinking by allowing their current observations to dispel their predictions and bias. When watching practice, one must pay little attention to who is making the play and just see who stands out. That’s why after two practices I began to notice Tommy Streeter. Now, everyone else is seeing it. All of the QB’s make good and bad plays and their timing with receivers is still developing. But it’s pretty clear to this observer that #12 is far superior to #8.

  21. biff barker Says:

    Why is everyone so emotional about the QB situation?
    McCown has done a nice job by most all accounts. Many have said he’s a remarkable upgrade compared to Freeman and the offense looks sharp compared to previous camps.
    Give the guy his due.
    BTW, the Cannon fires to the second team WR’s and that OL may just get him killed. He’s never played behind a first string OL in any camp. Just like last season, another second rate line.