“I Actually Would Love To”
December 27th, 2014
Matt Hasselbeck might be a better option than Josh McCown to mentor a Bucs rookie quarterback
What if the Bucs don’t want to pay Josh McCown the $5.25 million due him next season?
There might be a cheaper, better alternative to groom Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, and be the Bucs’ starting quarterback until the rookie is ready.
Unlike Josh McCown, Matt Hasselbeck has been a great NFL quarterback. Three Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl, a winning record, these are things McCown only reads about in magazines. McCown is a great guy and likes to lead, but there’s no proof he’s some sort of quarterback-mentoring guru.
Hasselbeck has been chilling in Indianapolis for the past two seasons, parked as Andrew Luck’s backup and trusted advisor. His name has surfaced recently after looking good in garbage time of the Colts’ loss to the Cowboys last weekend. Hasselbeck, 39, was 15-for-21 for 126 yards and a touchdown. Beloved wherever he plays, it seems, Hasselbeck is a favorite in Indianapolis and is a free agent after the season.
The “bridge quarterback” role seems to suit Hasselbeck perfectly, as he told ESPN Radio this week. Asked about getting a chance to start again for a new team, Hasselbeck said, “I actually would love to,” but maintained that his top priority is playing for a winner.
Joe thinks McCown could do a great job as Tampa Bay’s “bridge” QB, assuming the Bucs draft a quarterback and McCown will accept a pay cut. However, Joe’s not going to automatically assume McCown is the best guy for the job. Hasselbeck might be much better. He’s worth talking to.
The Bucs should leave no stone unturned trying to craft the perfect environment for their next franchise QB prospect.
December 27th, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Save money cut McCown, and Start Glennon until the rookie is ready.
December 27th, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Ya Id take Matt over mccown
December 27th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Why do I get the feeling that we are all about to get duped by Lovie again. I can already hear him at the podium after drafting Williams or Gregory instead of a QB……”I’ve said it time and time again, Mike Glennon is the future of this franchise”!
December 27th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
@Bucsqb12
Assuming both Mariota and Winston declare for the draft, I don’t think the decision will be entirely Lovie’s to make. Glennon may make a serviceable starter someday, but the Glazers aren’t going to pass on two potentially elite franchise QB prospects.
December 27th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
I don’t know why Joe jumped off the Glennon waggon so fast, …. Johnny football isn’t as good as Glennon,.. and neither will either of this year’s QBs either!
December 27th, 2014 at 3:29 pm
McCown has NO part of the Bucs next year…..
December 27th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
before they get to the pick they must hire a head coach damnitt.
December 27th, 2014 at 4:14 pm
WHY, would anyone think Glennon should ever be a starting qb??? He can’t throw on the run to his left, never been accurate on the long ball and mobile as a rock. The bucs have to do better at qb then either qb on the team now!
December 27th, 2014 at 4:53 pm
A past his prime midlevel starter over McCown as a clipboard holder? Yes please.
December 27th, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Hasselbeck said over a year ago he’s retiring after this season.
You might want to listen to the current interview linked in the story.–Joe
December 27th, 2014 at 5:30 pm
There are several assumptions made that makes me think you are putting the cart before the horse, not the least of which include losing to a busted Saints team at home and LovieDovie drafting one of the top 2 QBs. I am not convinced at all either or both of those things will occur and see it as almost far-fetched a day south of the last miserable game of this dreadful season and 5 months away from the biggest draft since Sapp and Brooks were taken.
I have a bad feeling one way or another these losers will find a way to screw up.
So what I am saying is who cares at this point!
December 27th, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Maybe Winston And Mariota take a look at the top teams in the draft and say f–k that I’m staying in school. Then all this talk is for nothing. Does anyone know if either one has plans on entering the draft.
December 27th, 2014 at 6:46 pm
If Glennon is made the starter until the rookie AND OFFENSIVE LINE are ready, it might turn out to be a great thing. He’s never had real, young competition. If he is given the starting role temporarily, he’ll have the opportunity to play lights out and keep the job…because if he’s winning a lot, they won’t start the rookie.
December 27th, 2014 at 6:46 pm
AND, if he somehow manages to keep the job through 2015, he would have massive trade value.
December 27th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Road warrior- If one of them goes back to school and the other declares then the value for #1 pick skyrockets. I’m sorry but having that #1 pick secured is too valuable this year and if some GM is willing to give me 3 1s, 2s and 3s I take it.
December 27th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
If you draft a qb with the 1st or 2nd pick you install him as the unquestioned starter from the minute you draft him.
December 27th, 2014 at 8:11 pm
The number 1 pick will not fetch nearly that much value this year.
There is no Andrew luck. There is no flat consensus #1 and #2. That diminishes the value.
December 27th, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Matt Hasselbeck and Josh McCown seem make Joke 🙂 🙂
December 27th, 2014 at 11:39 pm
Wow I think I agree with yA Bonzai… Thing is, can glennon play the mentor role?
December 28th, 2014 at 1:17 am
He said play for a winner – this is not a winning organization!
December 28th, 2014 at 2:35 am
If we spend our first round pick on a QB, he won’t have the luxury to sit, and learn. Especially the #1 pick overall. Also, if we haven’t fixed that horrible OL, people will be quick to start calling the rookie QB a possible bust, and they will want to blame L&L for it all. Even most of the same fans who applauded the pick before, during, and after the draft. We’ve got to lay a good foundation first, and have in place, a strong O-line for a rookie QB to succeed right away.
Something we currently don’t have and the biggest reason why Freeman, Glennon, and McCown failed. Now, what really sucks is that it will still be a huge question mark going into next season. After the first 2 rounds of the draft, most all quality “starting NFL ready” O-Lineman are near impossible to find in the later rounds. The later rounds are mostly developmental players. They are not ready to step in right away, and will get a QB killed in the NFL.
Yeah, every once in awhile you can find a diamond in the rough in the later rounds that can automatically start day one, but it’s rare. AND … it shouldn’t be a gamble. Sure draft Winston … draft Mariota, but when they fail to make an impact right away don’t blame it on the O-line. Blame it on the appeaser with their shortsightedness, that bowed to the squeaky fans who just wanted a new toy. Contrary to what Joe may tell you, QB’s don’t win it on their own.
With both defenses being equal, if you give me an all-pro offensive line and a serviceable decent veteran QB, I will beat the socks off of your crappy sieve for an offensive line with elite QB every single time. Ask todays elite QB’s if their careers were possibly the result of always having the luxury of playing behind elite offensive lines.
Oh just wondering, how many 1st and 2nd round OL do we have on our team? Ok, now how many does Atlanta, Saints, and Panthers have? Again, why do we suck? Hey, how many of Bradee’s, Manning’s, and Wilson’s O-Lineman made the pro-bowl? Out of all those lineman, how many were selected in the 1st and 2nd rounds? It’s imperatively vital that we select offensive lineman in the very early rounds.
Trade down and then select O-Lineman with our first 3 picks. It’s a better investment, plus we gain a lot more picks that can possibly fill a lot of holes. Keep Glennon and bring in another veteran. If Glennon fails after the O-Line upgrade, then we look to draft a QB in 2015. Personally, I think Glennon would be just fine as long as we gave him the protection.
December 28th, 2014 at 2:42 am
Why not?
December 28th, 2014 at 8:38 am
Yay its the first day of the rest of the season!
December 28th, 2014 at 8:47 am
Winston and Mariotta are not set in stone to succeed at the next level. Maybe they will, maybe they wont. The curse of the Heisman winning QB busts comes to mind. But I’ll be happier with either if we go that route….but this crap O line MUST BE FIXED!
Leonard Williams on the other hand is a sure thing! Can provide a fix by himself to our pass rush, and can probably do just as well as GMC if he were to go down again with an injury. Im liking the Williams pick if we go that route. Welcome back Buc Ball on D with this guy! Our D will dominate with him.
December 28th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Matt as the mentor, I like that. The Bucs missed an opportunity in the ’14 draft to land a QB, so they better not miss out this year. The Glazors should demand it.
December 28th, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Cut McCown.
Glennon should be given at least 4-6 gqmes.
Put the pressure on him.
See if he performs.
If he does, keep him in as the starter. Generate interest.
Then trade him and let. Marcus Mariota take over.