The Stats Are In

September 23rd, 2014

statnerdsSo many fans love numbers. Take the “19-and-9” crowd, aka the early members of the Mike Glennon Mob.

These people yelled all around town this offseason about how Glennon was the second coming of Peyton Manning. “With a touchdown-to-interception ratio like that in his rookie season, how could Glennon be anything less than an emerging superstar?” they bellowed.

Well, Lovie Smith didn’t think so.

Yes, most stats can be woven, bent, molded and angled in just about any direction that suits the manipulator. Not all stats, but a good majority.

That 19-and-9 was a great example, considering Glennon led the NFL’s worst offense last season, despite being gifted endless turnovers and field position by the New Schiano Order defense.

Here are new stats to chew on after every NFL team has completed three games” NFL.com rankings of the Bucs offense:

PTS
15.0(29th)
YDS
271.0(30th)
PASS YDS
163.3(32nd)
RUSH YDS
107.7(20th)

The Bucs have played a shaky Atlanta defense, a Rams team that allowed 34 points a game when it didn’t play the Bucs, and the Panthers.

Joe’s not sure how to spin these new numbers. Any ideas?

56 Responses to “The Stats Are In”

  1. ToesOnTheLine Says:

    The Packers are currently somewhere in the mid 20’s in team offense this year, so does that mean Rogers is a QB bust? I’ll take 19-9 from a rookie QB and roll with those dice over a career backup with 5 good games.

  2. billy buckaroo Says:

    The numbers simply show how unprepared this team was when the season started.

  3. Warthog Says:

    In a blender. With ice. And tequila. Lots of tequila.

  4. Patrick in VA Says:

    @Joe – Here’s how you spin them: Throw them out the window. Clean slate. 13 game season from here on with Glennon leading the charge. Woohoo!! Go Bucs!!

  5. The Buc Realist Says:

    Whats to spin??? I O-line that was put together 20 hours before opening day and Old man mccown who did not have to do anything to be gifted a starters job. The fact they are not dead last in every category is amazing!

  6. Bill T Says:

    Come on Joe…19-9 is damn good with a terrible offensive line, 1 WR to throw to and no running game (down to 4th stringer). Add a terrible coach (as you proclaim Schiano was), Glennon deserved at least a chance to compete in training camp. The b/s that McCown outplayed him in training camp is complete fodder.
    This year’s stats show that McCown hasn’t lead by example as his costly picks really hurt. Even though they overhauled the O-Line, we haven’t seen any real improvement. How much we can blame Tedford’s absence is hard to know. Guess we’ll find out if/when he gets back.
    The Atlanta game showed that Lovie isn’t all that if he is the Defensive and Special Teams guru that some say he is

  7. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Our offence is predictable….lacks good playcalling and execution…..we play too conservative……again!!!

  8. BUCTROOPER Says:

    I think it’s funny that the same people who rip on Mike Glennon for his touchdown to interception ratio and dismiss it as irrelevant are the same people who despite Josh Freeman’s troubles will constantly point to his 20+Touchdown season he had in 2010 and how Bucs fans had to be patient and give him a chance to return to form. You’re a bunch of hypocrites..

  9. Patrick Says:

    @Joe

    Once again, Glennon led the 27th ranked offense in the NFL. It’s worst in the NFL if you include Freeman’s three games. Get it right.

  10. Bryan Says:

    At least we are 20th in rushing yards?

  11. mathius Says:

    It looks like the nbees big dog always brings up when bashing Glennon!

  12. Matt Says:

    Rushing yards aren’t in the bottom third of the league?

    We’re only the worst in 1 category?

    Eh…, those still suck.

  13. d-money Says:

    Joe, you’re supposed to be a Bucs fan but it sure does seem like you would like nothing more than to see Glennon fall on his face. Your disdain for Glennon and anyone that disagrees with you about the topic is nearly as embarrassing as your constant ball washing of Johnny Manziel.

    A post that in the end really has nothing to do with Glennon spends four paragraphs bashing him and anyone who has the nerve to think he might be a good QB.

    I don’t think I can remember hearing anyone say that Glennon was the 2nd coming of Manning. I do however remember hearing a certain blogger that masquerades as a football expert saying he is positive that Glennon cannot be a good NFL starting QB.

    Let Joe cut in. Joe’s not bashing Glennon. He performed well for his role, and draft status, and tough situation. Joe’s written that countless times. Joe’s already moved all-in to have Glennon start the next 13 games, so the team can best evaluate him and get a final solid evaluation. Sorry, Joe’s not going to play Girl Scout games and sprinkle fairy dust on last season’s 32nd-ranked offense. Yes, Joe only thinks Glennon is a good backup. There is zero shame in that. So did Lovie Smith entering this season. Hopefully, Glennon gets his shot again right now — and for every game this season — and proves Joe wrong.–Joe

    Just as we can’t tell by 19-9 that he will be successful long term, you can’t possibly tell that he can not by how a team that was awful from top to bottom performed overall. A team BTW whose coach and GM were fired and over half of the players were replaced.

    I do know that he did everything that was asked of him (as a rookie I might) and the new coaching staff had every opportunity to get rid of him and they chose to keep him.

    You are certain that he can’t be successful but the truth is that we saw some very good play from Glennon and some not very good play last year. To say that you can tell from what we saw last year one way or the other is foolish.

    Lets not put him in the Hall of Fame but the kid absolutely deserves the shot he is getting this week and hopefully he does well.

    But hey that’s just my opinion, it isn’t worth much, I’m not a blogger that masquerades as a football expert. (see I can do nicknames too!)

  14. Yar Says:

    It’s the defensive minded head coach meddling in the offense with a run run if we turn the ball over all is lost mentality. Got to let the offense be as aggressive as the defense and score points. Can’t have your QB afraid to do anything.

  15. phreakybucfan Says:

    We are averaging 1 point more per game than the calendar year.
    Do you realise what this means… By the year 2076 we will be scoring 11 touchdowns per game. ELEVEN!!! How’s that for spin? Just saying.

  16. Lynch Says:

    Welp looks like we picked up where we left off last year.

    @joe- could you dig up the defense rankings as well?

    C’mon now. The Bucs just took an historic beating. No need to further abuse the readers.–Joe

  17. blackmagic00 Says:

    Any given Sunday. Well except for us lol

  18. Lynch Says:

    Lmao

  19. Bill T Says:

    Joe says:

    “Yes, Joe only thinks Glennon is a good backup. There is zero shame in that. So did Lovie Smith entering this season”

    Lovie also said McCown was going to be the man to lead the Bucs. Clearly he was wrong. Lovie’s credibility is getting shot down. So I wouldn’t be using Lovie as a source for anything positive. 3 games will soon turn into 6 losses, unless, ironically, Glennon bails him out

  20. gatrbuc17 Says:

    I like warthog’s idea only with more tequila.

  21. johnnytheMOON Says:

    All the more reason to bench McCown as he was the starter …

  22. HailSagan666 Says:

    UR NOT A VERY GOOD GENERAL OF THE MGM, JOE.
    Yeah, we realize the bucs suc this year, but it sounds like this season is driving you schizoid.

  23. Doofus Dan Says:

    I would interpret that as we are 0-3 with the 30th ranked offense. marked improvement over last year.

  24. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Here’s how you spin it: 1) the Bucs have three consecutive coaching staffs and front office staffs that cannot compete at the NFL level, and 2) the Bucs have maybe, MAYBE, ten total players that could compete for a starting spot on other NFL teams. That’s the issue in a nutshell.

  25. BoJim Says:

    Stats can be interpreted either way. Love Glennon or hate Glennon.

  26. SAMCRO Says:

    Yeah we had a defense that could generate some turnovers but could never put a game away. Go back and watch those games Mr. Guru (one who has to ask his readers why?) and you’ll see a defense that could not come up big when it counted. They gave up to many winning scores with just minutes left on the clock that cost them the games. And as far as the offense (we all know what you are implying) we had a rookie QB thrust into the fire, with a crappy offensive line and only 2 decent receiving options that were covered like blankets most of the time. I think Glennon performed admirably considering the circumstances and the fact he was a third round draft pick. Also considering the tight throwing windows while under constant duress and then to finish with a 19 to 9 interception ratio was remarkable no-matter how you try to spin it..

  27. Jeagan1999 Says:

    Cmon’ Joe….. Nobody really said that Glennon was the next Peyton Manning. What a lot of us said was that Glennon showed promise (having been thrust into the starting job as a rookie) and that his stats at the end of the year were comparable to many other rookie QB’s who went on to have good careers (Manning, Brady, Bree’s, Ryan, Romo, Wilson, Flacco, Dalton,Rivers, etc…). The conversation was “Should Mike Glennon be given the chance to start this year, or should the Bucs bring in another WB to start via draft or Free Agency?” A lot of us felt that Glennon played well enough to warrant a shot at the starting job. Lovie and Licht decided to bring in Josh McCown and annoint him the starter from day one. We now know that McCown is not the answer….it’s time to see if Mike Glennon can be! If he plays well, then we can use our draft picks on Oline and Dline help, if Glennon plays poorly, we will probably draft a QB in round 1.

    I applaud you for recognizing that McCown was the wrong move, but don’t try putting words in our mouths about how the “Mike Glennon Mob just knew that he was the second coming of Johnny Unitas, John Elway and Dan Marino combined!” That’s simply not correct or accurate!

    There are plenty of Mob members who have compared Glennon’s stats to the greats of the game and their rookie seasons. Joe’s heard it countless times. –Joe

  28. Nic Says:

    I’m failing to make the connection between Mike’s TD:Int ratio and the Bucs’ first two and a half games that saw Josh McCown at the helm. Mike’s had 1 half of football and he didn’t play all that bad considering he had receivers who just flat out gave up for the rest of the game.

    One positive I will take away is that Mike actually took a couple shots down the field. Two of them should have been caught (one each by V-Jax and Evans). In fact, I remember the throw where the defender should have had the pick but got the wind knocked out of him by the turf… Evans didn’t even attempt to leave his feet on that throw but he easily had the ability to do so. If it was a one score game, I’m 90% sure Evans comes down with that ball.

    All I’m saying is an offense led by Mike will look different this week. I expect a noticeable improvement.

  29. Nic Says:

    I will also add that Glennon’s TD throw came against a defense that was going full speed. They wanted that shutout bad. That drive can’t be discredited.

  30. Bill T Says:

    And now just announced Tedford taking leave of absence…..sigh

  31. Bucs Fan #237 Says:

    Make that offense the Josh McClown offense. Glennon only played a half.

  32. Bucs Fan #237 Says:

    In fact, in Glennon’s 1/2 of play, he mustered,

    17/24 121 yds 1 TD 0 INT 70.0 QBR and 96.0 RTG

    Extrapolate this over 3 games and his numbers are:

    102/144 726 yds 6 TD 0 INT 70.0 QBR and 96.0 RTG

    Which means Glennon is a MUCH better improvement over McClown.

    BTW… look at McClown’s rating from last game 🙂

  33. flmike Says:

    Those numbers prove Lovie is a moron, it’s really that simple, he has no effing clue as to what he’s doing. The Bears were a very good team, their defense was built not by Lovie but by Jerry Angelo, while in Chicago, Lovie was given the keys to a Cadillac Defense and a Ford Offense, which they did try to build upon, burt when your head coach has no clue how to drive a Ford, why would you buy him a Ferrari. Well, once Lovie got them to the SB with Rex Grossman, the powers that be thought maybe he was on to something and gave him veto power over Angelo when it came to player personnel, suffice to say the Bears began their fall form grace on that day, they only made the playoffs one more time under Lovie, 2010, and by 2012 The McClaskey family was done with Lovie, even after a 10 win season. Lovie is what he is, a very good Defensive Coordinator, but only when someone else is buying the groceries. We were sold a bill of goods.

  34. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    I didn’t feel Glennon was any good at all last year, regardless of his stats…which really were not that good anyway.

    On paper, he may look acceptable, but the Bucs have looked good on paper in areas of need for years.

    Last years offensive line wasn’t great, but they were better than the one we have now. The chances of Glennon doing as well this year are slim, given the condition of the team.

    I think the MGM are hoping and praying for him to prove the naysayers wrong, but its tantamount to hoping for a miracle.

    I’ll not be rooting against him though, but don’t expect me to ignore his weaknesses. It’s his job to win people over, starting with the team and then the fans.

  35. Architek Says:

    I can tell you how to spin it: Get A SNICKERS

    These numbers tell the story of the league’s arguably worst franchise outside of the Raiders/Jags.

    I hope Lovie didn’t really think this was going to be a cakewalk or a path to 1999.

    It’s a new NFL and new ownership that does not care about this team.

  36. Architek Says:

    Oh and the Glennon thing – yeah he pretty much is a back up in case anyone ask.

  37. tickrdr Says:

    Pineapple McCown.
    Joe knows quarterbacks.

    tickrdr

  38. Jeagan1999 Says:

    There are plenty of Mob members who have compared Glennon’s stats to the greats of the game and their rookie seasons. Joe’s heard it countless times. –Joe

    Joe, there’s a big difference between comparing stats and claiming someone “is the second coming of Peyton Manning”. The truth is, that Glennon’s rookie year stats DO compare very favorably with many top QB’s rookie numbers….of course that doesn’t mean it’s a gaurantee that Glennon will be successful…just that he showed the same early promise that these other QB’s showed….that’s a big difference!

    The FACT is that Mike Glennon’s rookie QB stats compared very favorably to those of some other rookie QB’s named Manning, Brady, Brees, Ryan, Rivers, Romo, Flacco, Wilson, Dalton, Etc….

    Saying Mike Glennon is the second coming of Peyton Manning is merely an OPPINION that will take time to prove either one way or the other!

    Joe, We know what we said….don’t try and change it after the fact!

  39. Buccfan37 Says:

    I’ve backed Glennon and never mentioned any of his stats. Only a couple have and it’s been run into the ground. Joe, it’s a little disheartening that you’ve moved up to General of the MGM and continue your mantra of criticism that existed before the coup and General takeover. The General of the Army (that’s five stars) wants to see you, something about a demotion.

  40. Buc Fan #237 Says:

    I’m just glad Glennon is getting his chance… win, lose or draw… he is getting his chance.

    The ONLY reason for me to watch future Buc games is to see how Mike The Cannon Glennon matures and progresses as an NFL veteran QB.

  41. Jeagan1999 Says:

    Joe….I remember several discussions and stories earlier in the year about Mike Glennon where many of us talked about how his rookies stats compared to other top QB’s….I even did it a couple times myself, so I know those quotes and discussions exist! However you claim that those of us in the so called “Mike Glennon Mob” yelled around during the offseason that he (Glennon) was the “second coming of Peyton Manning”. I don’t ever remember seeing that, however. If you have examples of “MGM’ers”claiming that Mike Glennon=Peyton Manning, I would love to see it! Otherwise we are talking apples and oranges, and your quote above is inaccurate. Saying Glennon’s rookie stats were comparable to,other good QB’s does not equal “Mike Glennon is Peyton Manning”! Please set the record straight!

  42. Buccfan37 Says:

    General of the MGM? More like Attorney General prosecuting the MGM.

  43. buc4lyfe Says:

    Mgm is so sad making the car for Glennon by comparing him to josh and josh. No man will lead a franchise that’s scared to test a defense upfield and in that regard he’s a coward. He may be the best we got but that ain’t saying much. His timid check down style is what led to worse passing offense last year and as a defensive coach lovie has to see his weakness easily

  44. Mike Glennon Mob Says:

    Does anyone else remember when Bucs fans were critical of Steve Young being their franchise quarterback because he went 3-16 (source: pro-football reference)? Remember when everyone said he was a bust when his TD to INT ratio was 1 – 2 (source: pro-football reference)? The local beat writers were probably saying the same things about Steve Young as they do about Mike Glennon today.

  45. Mike Glennon Mob Says:

    Also, no one claimed Glennon was the second coming of Peyton Manning. The Buccaneers need to see what we really have in Glennon just like the Jets have to see what they really have with Geno Smith. The Buccaneers are not a playoff team, period. We need the rest of this season to make Glennon the future or to close the book on him.

  46. Mike Glennon Mob Says:

    BTW… look at McClown’s rating from last game 🙂

    Right. No one’s rating should be lower than their age.

  47. tnew Says:

    Not sure why Joe would take an article about the abysmal stats of this season and have 90% of the article dedicated to why Glennon’s stats from last season where flawed. I would really like to hear that explanatation.

    At any case, I don’t think even the most ardent Buccaneer fan can ignore the plight that of the franchise. A huge reason for the state of the Bucs is due to drafting for need, over and over. The Lovie Smith, we are going to win now, mantra, really bothered me when he started it. At no point should any team draft 100% on one side of the ball unless the best available keeps dropping to you.

    We have been drafting in the top 3 rounds for need for so long now that the franchise seems to know no other way. For fun go back and look at our drafts from 1998 going forward.

  48. Skyline Crew Says:

    Let’s look at the Defense and yds allowed.

    -2nd most pts per game at 31.7
    -5th most yds per game at 387
    -10th most passing yds per game at 261.7
    -12th most rushing yds per game 125.3

    Not doing to well for either side.

  49. tnew Says:

    If you look at the hits versus misses in round 1-3 from 1998 foward, it is very easy to see why the bucs are where they are. Minimal impact players, if they were, like Talib, we trade them out for way less that we invest in them. So many trade busts that we gave up high draft picks for vet players that didn’t turn out. Like Revis, trade a first round pick for a one year player. That has such long term ramifications on the franchise. The list is full of reaches or never were. These guys are the foundation of the team and other than just a very few it just hasn’t worked out.
    A bunch of bad luck, like Aaron Sears and Brian Price. Then take the case of Mike Glennon. A 3rd round pick, that was solid his rookie season. He didn’t pass my eye test, but I have spoken with a former NFL QB that said flat out, 19-9 can’t be faked, in a rookie year over a 13 game stint. He even went to say that forget the 19 TD’s. They didn’t matter, but less than 1 int per game as a rookie was worth a long hard look.

    By my figuring, this franchise already is moving away from yet another early round pick in Glennon. What has Lovie done, especially on the offensive side of the ball to warrant our trust in his player evaluation? Bringing in Josh McCown. Trading Zuttah, a former third round pick, for a 5th rounder. Cutting Davin Joseph, walking from Penn. Depleting the o-line while drafting a WR, TE, and RB with the first 3 picks. Trading Mike Williams (former 4th round pick) for a 6th rounder.

  50. d-money Says:

    “Sorry, Joe’s not going to play Girl Scout games and sprinkle fairy dust on last season’s 32nd-ranked offense.”

    Fair enough, but why the need for 4 paragraphs talking about Glennon’s stats from last season and the people who think he will be a good QB when the post is about this seasons offense, an offense that Glennon has played only one half in?

    Spin it however you like , 19-9 may not mean he is Payton Manning (it doesn’t) but it sure as hell isn’t a bad thing.

    Always being negative and pointing out a players faults doesn’t make you a good journalist, it makes you Gary Shelton. (not a compliment)

  51. d-money Says:

    “Sorry, Joe’s not going to play Girl Scout games and sprinkle fairy dust on last season’s 32nd-ranked offense.”

    Little known fact: Fairy dust comes from beating dead horses.

    You should have plenty to spare.

  52. Soggy Says:

    How can lovie see anybody elses weaknesses when he cant even see his own, just because lovie thinks somthing does not make it true just ask hester..

  53. AnotherJ Says:

    I’d spin those stats to say Marcus Arroyo isn’t a very good offensive coordinator!

  54. ddneast Says:

    Just listened to you on 620 and would you please tell you pal to lay off Glennon about his looks. I’m no Brad Pitt, but then again neither is your pal. In fact, he’s further away from Brad Pitt than I am and I have that on no less of an authority than my gf.
    it seems the two things your Pal dislikes about Glennon the most is that he doesn’t have Hollywood looks and he took your pals best friends job away from him.
    Well news flash, Josh Freeman is not playing in the NFL. Anywhere. What does that tell you about Freeman.
    Get over your bromance dude and move on.
    One thing an idiot does is judge a man’s abilities by his looks.

  55. Brandon Says:

    19-9 is nothing compared to 25-6… and we know how badly that turned out.

  56. Zam Says:

    TD’s
    Int’s
    3rd Down Rate
    Fumble Rate
    Sack Rate

    2 out of 5 won’t cut it. That’s how Glennon can have 19-9 but still run the 32nd ranked offense last year.

    As for this year, the sample size is way too small yet to extrapolate anything imo.