Will Glennon Act Like The Starter?

April 7th, 2014

“Stay true to your greatness, my son.”

Mike Glennon started more games last season than Josh McCown has in the last six NFL campaigns.

Glennon was treated by his former head coach as a franchise quarterback on the rise, and Glennon earned the respect of his teammates. And many of those Buccaneers remain in the mix at One Buc Palace, from Vincent Jackson to Tim Wright, Demar Dotson, Doug Martin, Mike James and others.

So why exactly should anyone expect Glennon not to stand up before his team today, when players report back to One Buc Palace, and act like the incumbent starting quarterback?

Why should Glennon be afraid of journeyman McCown? He won’t be.

The  Mike Glennon Mob has got to be confident Glennon won’t put his tail between his legs and get in line behind McCown. It’s not like the Bucs signed Drew Brees, Matt Ryan or Cam Newton. Frankly, if Glennon’s got any alpha dog/franchise QB in him, Glennon will be the most intense guy in the Bucs’ locker room on this historic day.

Joe’s not sure what to expect from Glennon, but Joe would lean toward Glennon forcing a quarterback controversy in every responsible way he can starting now. Aside from the fact most backup QBs tell you they have to approach everything like they are the starter, Glennon’s too smart to acquiesce to his plight.

Seemingly everything Glennon did when Lovie Smith was hired revealed a QB hungry to keep his starting job and win over his coaches. Whenever a coach was hired, it seemed Glennon was pounding on the door. He even started writing on the Internet to help remind everyone how he lit up Seattle’s defense for a half.

As Joe wrote months ago, this tight window between players reporting today and prior to the NFL Draft is Glennon’s best chance to shock his coaches and leave them in awe. It likely his only hope of sticking with the team. Because if the Bucs draft a quarterback, Glennon’s Bucs career is all but doomed.

51 Responses to “Will Glennon Act Like The Starter?”

  1. BoJim Says:

    Still say the Bucs should keep 3 QB’s. Especially if one is a rookie.

  2. Bucfan#37 Says:

    Or the Bucs could have a three way competition for the job. That is a nice branding to be called a fine backup after one rookie season. I hope Glennon stays and his development progresses into an even better QB. That is not a stretch of my imagination.

  3. phattitudes Says:

    I knew it. Joe’s a closet Glennon Gladiator. How to stand up for your man Joe.

  4. BirdDoggers Says:

    Glennon has handled himself as a professional and he’s a hard worker. I don’t think that will change. He’ll continue to work hard and prepare as if he’s the starter and let the chips fall where they may.

  5. Destinjohnny Says:

    Mike josh and johnny !!!

  6. mark2001 Says:

    Fair article Joe…don’t know that Glennon will ever be more than a career backup. But he might be. He will have a fair shot to see what he can do this year, and that is all he can ask for. That third round pick really looks at that position, unless someone falls really as far as the top of the second round.

  7. biff barker Says:

    Both guys will be respected and valued teammates IMO.

    I see McCown as a consummate professional and was given the title of starter based on his seniority.

    Will Glennon roll over? Not a chance. But McCown will have to shoulder the burden of leading an new offense behind a thoroughly revamped front line. Not so easy.

  8. Cannon Fire! Says:

    Glennon and McCown are starting this race dead even, since neither knows the play book. Considering how long it’s taken McCown to have success, I would not be surprised at all if Glennon wins out in training camp. I think the Bucs draft O-line then reciever and maybe a QB after that. Glennon should be our starter come game time, IMO

  9. zam Says:

    I don’t see any way they keep Glennon now.

  10. finishers Says:

    Evans #1
    Murray #2

  11. Mumbles Says:

    I like Glennon, but can he do speed in space? I’m worried!

  12. JeffNYC Says:

    Agree with BirdDoggers. Glennon was put in an impossible situation, talent aside. Fact is he’s young and could improve. To what end is anyone’s guess, but I fully expect him to handle himself with the utmost professionalism and not lie down in the face of competition, if for no other reason than preserving his future NFL career. That in and of itself is a good thing for our team.

  13. passthebuc Says:

    Lovie will not give anything to Glennon. However, Glennon should not be shoved out the door. Let the QB’s go toe to toe and the best man win. However Joe, if Glennon receives only courtesy, then I can only assume the this regime will pre determine the starters at every position and we will never become a winner. We have 3 QB’s in the draft that are predicted to go in the first round. I’d bet that 5 years down the road, Glennon will have survived better than them all.

  14. Bill T Says:

    ok…who wrote this…can’t be Joe! (its too well reasoned lol)

  15. William Says:

    With the release of his Schiano handcuffs and the assistance of Arroyo and Tedford we should see the real Glennon this coming pre-season.

    I’ll still be surprise if his is not the 3rd string QB or sent to the practice squad.

  16. SAMCRO Says:

    So Joe is rallying Glennon to be more vocal. Instead of just keeping his mouth shut and falling in line and letting his play speak for himself, Joe wants to see him take the bull by the horns and either force the new regime to take him seriously or it could backfire and have him find himself on a short leash and possibly traded for upsetting the applecart. If I had to make a bet I would pick the latter scenario is what Joe is striving for.

  17. Tomcin Says:

    If he is sent to the practice squad he will surely picked off by another team. Before they do that they would probably trade him.

  18. nate_tweetz Says:

    …”acquiesce to his plight”… Joe’s using his Thesaurus today!!!

  19. biff barker Says:

    Glennon looked pretty damn good against the Niners going no huddle. Still SMFH over Schiano’s decision to kill it.

    His intermediate passing skills won’t go unnoticed by Tedford. If the speed in space hype is not lip service and we work with a three step drop, I think you are putting MG in the best situation to succeed.

  20. MadMax Says:

    Nicely written except the ending….he wont be doomed if they draft a QB….even though you really want that…smh!!

  21. Barry Says:

    IMO MG8 is as good if not better then Newton and Ryan, and better than any QB in this class and in last year’s class. He’s got some hardware that acknowledge his excellence – ROY and NFL / Team records. What has Mike Glennon done? He’s been a complete Professional Quarterback. I am 100% confident in MG8 as our starting (Franchise) QB.

  22. Jeagan1999 Says:

    This experience might even be good for Glennon. Let’s face it, last year…as a rookie…who did Glennon have to look up to and emulate as a QB on this team….Josh Freeman and Dan Orlovsky! Not exactly Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. While Josh McCown is not exactly in the same league as Brady/Manning, he is a seasoned pro and can show MG8 a thing or two about preparation and being professional. I still have no doubt that Glennon is the starter at some point this season (probably earlier rather than later IMO), but I also believe that a young and talented QB like Glennon can learn a lot from a crafty very like McCown!

  23. Tackleblockwin Says:

    This new regime is sure keeping us fans on our toes…lol. I think it would be unwise to move Glennon. He is very capable as a backup, 0 distractions off the field are assured, will work his tail off, and his contract is no issue. I just hope we add weapons to the O so McCown and or Glennon have a shot.

  24. Bucs fan in NC Says:

    @Barry

    I hope your comment was simply a late April fools joke! Better than Ryan, Newton, and any QB in this class or the next? C’mon man lets be realistic here. I like the kid and don’t want to talk bad about him but if you’re waiting for Glennon to be franchise a QB and return the bucs to the playoffs you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment and we’ve had enough disappointment lately!

  25. joseph mamma Says:

    If he can build on last year and work on some things he struggled with, then he could be a good, not great, starting QB. But also, if McCown can build on what he produced last year, then he also can be a good starting QB. I hope they let training camp decide it who starts. And if we draft a QB early, whoever loses between Glennon or McCown will probably be history.

  26. Mike Glennon Fans!! Says:

    WOW!! good post….
    Glennon should go in head held high and act as if…
    with the new O-line and weapons they should get in the draft Glennon will flourish

  27. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Joe is right. He isn’t suddenly changing his tune either.

    All he’s saying is that if Glennon is the QB the MGM claims he is, he won’t let McCown or anyone else take the starting role from him.

    I agree 100%.

    As I have said often, I’m pro drafting a QB. That doesn’t mean I’ve given up on Glennon. It means no one can be sure, so better to improve our chances of getting a true franchise guy.

    Ironically, Glennon had a better year than McCown.

    I would like to see Derek Carr picked by the Bucs.

    As much as Joe promotes Johnny, he doesn’t fit the mold of what we’re seeing put together here. “Up tempo” is not running the ball a lot. It’s heavy passing.

    So I’m not convinced Johnny is the QB the Bucs are targeting. I think it is Bortles if he happens to fall, but Carr otherwise.

  28. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    joseph mamma Says
    “…also, if McCown can build on what he produced last year…”

    Because QBs in their late 30s often suddenly become good QBs.

    Just to note, those 5 good games McCown had last year? He lost two of them. He went 3-2 as a starter. Barely over .500.

  29. bigpoppabuc Says:

    I hope Glennon has been working on his mobility because it seems to be the biggest concern of Lovie’s. But mobility aside, Glennon will win a QB competition hands down. He already packed Russell Wilson’s bags in Carolina, and he’ll be able to learn the offense faster than any other QB in the roster.
    But I have doubts in Lovie letting it be a true competition.

  30. ToesOnTheLine Says:

    Lovie is setting up the Bucs to be a better fit for Glennon. The Bucs had basically one good WR and a depleted O Line when MG8 took over which after all the cuts and trades is what the Bucs currently have before the draft. McCown was throwing to two of the nest WR’s in the game as well as one of the better pass catching TE’s.

  31. getaclue Says:

    He made Russell Wilson leave nc state so I don’t see why he wouldn’t

  32. Dan Says:

    I am impressed Joe a fair and unbiased article when it pertains to MG what the heck got into you. My only problem is this I like MG because I thought he was very accurate came cheap and we could build him into a game manager like a BRad Johnson type. To be honest JM already kind of fits that model so developing Glennon for a few years knowing his window is probably onlt going to be slightly better than JM it just doesnt make sense to keep him. I would trade him get what we can and roll with JM. To be honest I am a huge Tony Dungy fan got all his books loved him as our coach he made my team good when I hadnt experianced winning as a BUccaner fan before so I was happy when LOvie got hired. However I am beyond baffled at what it is we are trying to build right now. At least under Schiano you new what we where trying to do all these moves dumping guys that where helping us win games I just dont get it. The Mike Williams deal really baffles me I hate to say this but I cant see us bringing all these new pieces and being any good. It seems we are creating holes just to create holes we arent rebuilding we are trying to win now with a roster filled with guys who arent good enough to win now. I hope I am wrong but I am seeing us in the cellar as of right now.

  33. dee Says:

    Mike will not lay down.

  34. Kevin Says:

    I would not mind seeing Glennon win the job. He wasn’t bad last year. I don’t care about the last ranked offense because that is not just a reflection of the QB. We have a very expensive WR that dropped a lot of first down last year, a bad line, bad play calling and a long list of injuries. Whether it’s Glennon, McCown or pretty boy coming here and winning the job they need better weapons. More weapons. One good place to start is a big playmaker on the outside to replace Mr. Williams.

  35. Thunder Sack Says:

    Great post, Joe. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

    As for everyone that keeps saying he is going to be cut or put on the practice squad; Are you all retarded? In what universe do you just throw away a QB that was your starter and did pretty well in his rookie season? At the very least he will be second string!

    :::drops mic:::

  36. Joe Says:

    In what universe do you just throw away a QB that was your starter and did pretty well in his rookie season?

    Same galaxy where you can find Josh Freeman?

  37. bucsfan85 Says:

    lmao are you seriously still thinking glennon will be a part of this team? if we draft a QB in the first he instantly drops to our #3. I still think he will be traded after the draft we would be lucky !!!! to get a 5th round pick. glennon is a career backup that got a chance because of a terrible coach. Tampa bay was the only team in the draft that had glennon as a 3rd round talent he was slated to go 5-6th round per Mel kiper jr. Get over this bum! and no body wants to hear about 19-9 last year who gives a shit he led the worst offense in the league and the worst in the last 10 years for the Bucs oh did I mention we didn’t even average 180 yards a game. one who likes glennon simply has to be a nascar fan /monster truck fan and a part time football fan to even like the dude he sucked in college with one of the worst fumbles for losses in conference history. If you look around the league and believe he could lead us anywhere you should be watching another sport

  38. MadMax Says:

    aw, dont let being wrong about JF scare you from MG Joes…2 COMPLETELY different individuals….Jfro had some speed but Glennon has brains

  39. MadMax Says:

    lol @buccy85, hey I like nascar part time, watching it now on my day off….got a problem with it? Just like you’ve got a problem with the best rookie QB last year in Glennon? Figures! Just maybe you’re the part timer since you failed to mention the stellar O line and WR we had, thats been cut and rebuilt (still rebuilding) quite the genius you are 🙂

  40. ToesOnTheLine Says:

    @ Bucsfan85

    Bet the Bills and Jets both wish they had drafted Glennon in Rnd 1 or Rnd 2 respectively. Mel Kiper Jr’s draft board should really only be used for entertainment purposes only.

  41. BucsFan007 Says:

    …”acquiesce to his plight”…
    acquiesce = to accept, agree, or allow something to happen by staying silent or by not arguing

  42. Mike Says:

    So when bleacher had him rated as one of the best passing QBs, or Gru was talking about how Glennon could make any throw….. Multiple sources from past season talking how Glennon could grow, many made a Flacco comparison. Yeah I don’t watch NASCAR, but I believe you do! And no…. I’m not a MGM, but I will state the obvious

  43. Mike Says:

    And 85 must be a JFro fan cause Glennon has better #s then Free in college. Just sayin……..

  44. Mike Says:

    Just the fact 85 said he sucked in college makes me realize he has no clue

  45. BigMacAttack Says:

    Glennon needs to sit on the bench and watch. He is mediocre on his best day. I hope the Bucs can trade him for an 8’th round pick or maybe a couple burgers and fries. My hopes for Glennon are below zero. He may do okay with 10 or more players blocking for him. Not in this Universe.

  46. BigMacAttack Says:

    Glennon was another wasted draft pick.

  47. Jonny 2.3 Says:

    Did not know Glennon was center bald. That’s worse than bald.

  48. bucrightoff Says:

    bucsfan85 Says:
    April 7th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
    Tampa bay was the only team in the draft that had glennon as a 3rd round talent he was slated to go 5-6th round per Mel kiper jr
    ______________________________________________________________

    Well jeez, now that I know Mel Kiper thinks he was a 5th round talent, we should cut him right away. Lord knows Mel Kiper is always right….

  49. teacherman777 Says:

    Glennon has great vision.

    And he got PUMMELED behind our TERRIBLE offensive line play.

    Davin Josh got manhandled last year.

    Zuttah got zero push.

    And whoever played our other guard spot, sucked 75% of the time.

    Glennon stood in there and took shots last year.

    Glellon wasnt that bad guys.

    I am happy hes a Buc.

  50. Vico Says:

    Nice post. Man, is the Glennon Mob passionate about him!

  51. BoJim Says:

    bucsfan85 Said:

    “Get over this bum! and no body wants to hear about 19-9 last year who gives a shit he led the worst offense in the league and the worst in the last 10 years for the Bucs oh did I mention we didn’t even average 180 yards a game. one who likes glennon simply has to be a nascar fan /monster truck fan and a part time football fan”

    Seems like most people in this thread seem to like Glennon. Count me as one. But you’re entitled to your opinion even though it sucks azz.