Is Mike Glennon a potential franchise quarterback?

He’s missing a key component to get there, says former Bucs quarterback Shaun King.

King, one of three QBs to lead the Bucs to the NFC title game, had plenty to say about the future of the Bucs today during his interview on WDAE-AM 620. King reiterated his take that Glennon is playing ok and as expected given the circumstances he walked into. But King isn’t seeing the basic tool needed to be a premier quarterback.

“He doesn’t have a big arm,” King said of Glennon. He has good velocity on the intermediate to short throws, but when he’s asked to push the ball down the field, he doesn’t have a big-time arm. And that worries me about a guy that can’t move, a guy that’s not going to extend plays. You know, it’s always going to be kind of that methodical dink and dunk. As I told you last week, it’s hard to put 10, 12-play drives together consistently in this league. You’ve got to be able to take advantage of your down the field shots.”

This is something to watch for tonight against the Panthers. Glennon underthrew two deep balls to Vincent Jackson in Atlanta — one was caught.

Pressed to come up with a motivational speech for the Bucs tonight, Bucs icon Warren Sapp was at a loss for words during an interview on NFL Network in advance of tonight’s Thursday Night Football matchup between the Bucs and Panthers. 

Sapp, after saying, “I don’t really think the Bucs believe in what they’re doing,” couldn’t think of what words might inspire the Buccaneers. Then he offered a suggestion.

“Schiano, tell’em it’s for your job. That might help,” Schiano said.

Joe wonders whether that would, in fact, help. Bucs players seem to be playing hard for 60 minutes, not smart, but hard.

Maybe they don’t realize their head coach is on the hottest of NFL hot seats? That can’t be possible.

Joe suspects the Bucs will turn in another strong effort tonight, minus the results. They’re just not good enough, and they repeatedly get outcoached.

Joe always finds it a bit interesting that Bucs fans clamor for attention from national media types. But often when the Bucs get said attention, fans think it’s not good enough.

This season, the Bucs may have set a record for most attention for a winless team. And it’s those defeats, week after week, which are driving the coverage. Enter the notorious Keith Olbermann, who now has Bucs commander Greg Schiano on his radar. Joe posts this without comment, other than readers may want to fast-forward to the 2:05 mark of this BSPN video because Joe assumes few give a damn about Colombian kickball uniforms.

Sapp says McCoy is at least as good as he was but the Bucs don’t know how to use him

Warren Sapp, a man who the Bucs will immortalize in two weeks, continues to pound the New Schiano Order relentlessly. This time on NFL Network.

Ouch. Joe can only imagine what Team Glazer is thinking when it hears this stuff.

Today, Sapp was merciless in his assessment of the Bucs’ defensive schemes. In addition to hammering Schiano on mis-using Darrelle Revis, Sapp offered the highest of praise for Gerald McCoy and said the Bucs aren’t getting the most out of him.

“Right now, they’re wasting Gerald McCoy,” Sapp said. “He’s the exact player that I am, if not better and bigger. So let him swing side to side and let him find the mismatch and then, once it starts up front, now you’ve started a fire that runs through the where defense. And there’s not a better back end in the National Football League than what we have down here in Tampa. And we’re not taking advantage of it.”

Wow! That’s incredible love of McCoy from Sapp.

In the segment linked above, former Bucs QB Jeff Garcia also talks about how the Bucs staff is not maximizing the talent on the team.

Trailing 17-7 in the second quarter Sunday, Darrelle Revis was playing zone defense on the right side of the Bucs defense. Falcons top healthy receiver Harry Douglas, thanks to injuries to Roddy White and Julio Jones, was on the opposite side of the field beating rookie Johnthan Banks for the game-winning touchdown.

Here’s the video evidence.

Douglas was interviewed by Mike Florio on NBC Sports’ ProFootballTalk Live this afternoon and clearly stated that the Bucs didn’t focus on stopping him throughout the game. Douglas, an emerging hero in Atlanta, said he expects more attention in future games after his career day against Tampa Bay. 

Douglas said the Falcons simply did a great job being patient and finding the holes in the Bucs’ defense.

Interestingly, on another bomb to Douglas with Leonard Johnson covering him, Douglas said he believed the play call was a no-call — just Matt Ryan walking up to the line of scrimmage and calling a play after he saw the Bucs’ defense.

NFL Network analyst and former fullback Heath Evans went to the game film to blast Vincent Jackson. Here’s video of the NFL Network segment.

Evans details three instances in Sunday’s Bucs-Falcons game in which Jackson didn’t get the job done — a drop, a should-have-caught ball, and a fumble. (No, he didn’t include Jackson’s inexcusable personal foul in the end zone.)

On the upside, Evans says more consistency from Jackson could translate into a Buccaneers victory.

There is a load of pressure on Jackson. Given the state of the Bucs offense, Tampa Bay almost has to have an extraordinary game from Jackson in order to compete. It’ll be interesting to see if the Panthers routinely double team him tonight.

Time for happy thoughts. Bucs defensive backs icons Ronde Barber and John Lynch share untold tidbits from the Bucs’ only Super Bowl win in this FOXSports1 video.

An NFL.com feature exposes various reports unflattering to Greg Schiano

Joe has written time and again how the Bucs swung and missed worse than a Karlos Pena at-bat when they didn’t re-sign defensive end Michael Bennett in the offseason.

Yes, Bennett, who led the Bucs in sacks last year, was damaged goods. But that was why he was so cheap. And besides, if he couldn’t hack playing in the NFL because of being damaged goods, you cut him, or you make an injury settlement. It happens every year on virtually every team.

Raheem Morris, who as bad as he was isn’t looking so terrible today given the current state of the Bucs, had a famous saying, “I will tolerate you until I can replace you.” Well apparently, Bucs commander Greg Schiano couldn’t tolerate Bennett and he sure as hell hasn’t replaced him.

Bennett, known for candid commentary, was buttonholed by Maoist Michael Silver of NFL.com and completely unloaded on his former Bucs coach.

In a story that is scathing towards Schiano, Silver spoke with former Bucs players from last year and only Bennett, aopparently, was willing to go on the record.

“I think he just wants to flex his power,” Bennett says. “He has small (man’s) syndrome. I still talk to guys who are there, and trust me, there’s not much respect for him in that locker room.”

Bennett recounted a few stories about Schiano and his alleged iron-fisted ways. One was Bennett’s distaste for the Schiano kneel-down and Bennett claims when the Bucs tried this stunt against the Broncos last year, Peyton Manning was so incensed that he had an expletive-laced tirade at Schiano after the game.

“Peyton cussed him out,” recalls former Bucs defensive end Michael Bennett, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent last March. “And I ain’t never heard Peyton cuss.”

According to Bennett, Bucs players weren’t thrilled with Schiano’s legal-but-dubious decree, either.

“People just really hate it when you have to dive at people’s legs,” Bennett says. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to keep going and move onto the next game and try to make a living. Some of these guys (on other teams) are our friends.”

Though Bucs players won’t go on record undermining Schiano for the Schiano kneel-down, it is clear they don’t like it. You want to see Gerald McCoy turn from happy to depressed in an instant? Ask him about the kneel-down.

Now before Joe gets going here, Joe must be fair and point out that Silver, for reasons unknown, has been a harsh critic of Schiano’s before the ink was dry on his contract with the Bucs. In previous articles, seems to have an ax to grind with Schiano. Silver apparently would love nothing more than to dance on Schiano’s NFL grave.

Bennett’s comments, thought, should not distract why Schiano is deservedly on the hot seat. You lose 11 of 12 games and start a season 0-6 with no end to the losing in sight, well, in the NFL, it’s time to start updating your resume and buy moving boxes.

Joe’s pretty confident after this story is out, it is very clear why the Bucs did not retain the services of their sack leader, an area in which the Bucs are woefully inept.

Tampa Tribune humorist Martin Fennelly and Patrick Welter of TBO.com discuss the state of the Bucs in their weekly TBO.com video. Fennelly suggests it is hard for Bucs to decide on a quarterback because they don’t have a head coach.

Joe often takes shots from various sources that claim Joe is too negative. Those cries are fervent now.

Joe offers a simple comeback: If the Bucs weren’t getting beaten regularly, then Joe would be much more positive.

In other words, don’t shoot Joe for being down on the Bucs for losing 11 of 12 games and extraordinarily underachieving. Joe doesn’t coach, play or select players. Like a majority of fans, Joe is happily thinking about the promise and hope for the Bucs’ future — a future that includes a new head coach. That doesn’t make Joe a villain.

Make no mistake, Joe’s hate mail and naysayers don’t trouble Joe at all. It’s ok if people are upset by what’s written on these pages.

In fact, Joe also has taken all kinds of grief for being too positive, such as supporting the ousting of Chucky, to expressing that Raheem Morris was doing a great job in 2010, despite some fans thinking that was a phony 10-6 record, citing nonsense of a lack of “signature wins.” Joe’s also is blasted routinely for sharing positives of rockstar general manager Mark Dominik. Joe took grief for not jumping on the Mike-Williams-and-Gerald McCoy-suck bandwagon a couple of years ago. Joe even is blasted for supporting keeping Greg Schiano as head coach for the remainder of 2013, assuming the team doesn’t visibly quit. Joe could go on.

There are lots of ways to be a Bucs fan. Joe doesn’t tell anyone how to support the team.

As long as you, like Joe, cheer for the Bucs when the whistle blows, then you’re a good fan. If you think Joe isn’t a Bucs fan, then you’re not paying attention.

For those who think Joe somehow benefits financially from the Bucs’ demise, well, that is thoroughly inaccurate and laughable. Yes, a controversial happening will create more traffic here on a given day, but the Buccaneers producing quality football is what truly drives the passion and interest of casual and hardcore fans, and creates new Bucs fans.

A good, beloved Bucs team is what Joe craves. Go Bucs!

Traffic getting to tailgating tonight is going to be the proverbial female dog. Many Bucs fans will drive right into the teeth of rush hour traffic. It is going to be a mess. That’s why it is as important as ever to watch “Road Warrior” Holley Sinn and her traffic tips. The award-winning traffic reporter for Joe’s friends at WTSP-TV Channel 10 has vital information about shortcuts and construction zones both before and after the game. Catch Holley and her traffic updates weekday mornings on WTSP, and via her Twitter handle @10NewsTraffic.

Joe knows the rest of the season is nothing more than a casting call for Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon. At the end of the season, the Bucs will monitor all of his tape and determine if they should go out and get a veteran quarterback, or take a flyer one of the many good quarterbacks available in the 2014 draft.

(Sadly, Joe asked readers and draftniks recently to do some research on Jimmy Garoppolo, yet no reader apparently has. Joe is surprised.)

Tonight could be a big test for Glennon, writes Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com, if Glennon harbors any thoughts of starting for the Bucs next season.

Pick your antidote: In Glennon’s first three starts, opposing defenses loaded the box to try to stop running back Doug Martin. But Martin is dealing with a shoulder injury now, so the Bucs will also have a rookie at running back: Mike James, who is likely to pick up most of Martin’s workload. That could prompt Carolina to go to a different tactic than Glennon’s previous opponents and focus on stopping the passing game.

Prediction: It’s not hard to envision trouble on the horizon. Glennon is not noted for his mobility, and his offensive line hasn’t been playing very well. Throw in the fact that Carolina has two good defensive ends in Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson, and Glennon could be in for a long night.

It doesn’t look good for Glennon and the Bucs offense tonight. Rookie quarterback and rookie backup running back going against an incredibly strong front-seven from the Stinking Panthers. Yikes.

Joe wonders, since the Bucs will be starting Mike James, whether the Panthers will pass on loading the box like teams have against Doug Martin and, instead, try to confuse, jostle, mock and rob Glennon?

In this Panthers-Bucs preview for JoeBucsFan.com, longtime WTSP-TV, Ch. 10 sports anchor Dave Wirth talks about firing Greg Schiano soon, the steady rise of Mike Glennon, and more.

Add likely Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner to the list of respected analysts who believe the Bucs are using Darrelle Revis incorrectly.

Yes, Bucs coaches say Revis is being used on “Revis Island” in man coverage, but many say otherwise, claiming the film don’t lie. Warner expressed his frustration via NFL.com.

If Revis isn’t healthy enough to shadow receivers, it’s news to NFL Media’s Kurt Warner, who opined Wednesday that the artist formerly known as a shutdown corner looks “as good as ever” in press-man coverage.

“He looks like he’s back to form,” Warner added. “What’s made Darrelle Revis great over the years is that he has the ability to get up into your face, to press you, to use muscle, to take away any separation, and then the instincts to break down and read the routes of receivers. … I just can’t figure out why they don’t do that more with him.”

No coaching staff will be under more scrutiny going forward than Schiano’s, especially if they continue to play against Revis’ strengths.

This whole Revis debate is getting comical and embarrassing. If Panthers star receiver Steve Smith burns Leonard Johnson for a touchdown tonight, then look for more darts flying at the New Schiano Order.

“I have the worst record in Bucs history, but I never lost seven straight home games.”

Bucs fans, there is a good reason to watch tonight’s Stinking Panthers-Bucs game (what, you want to watch those !@#$’n% greaseball BlowSux?). Modern Bucs franchise history is afoot.

No, really. This comes from none other than the Custodian of Canton, the great eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune.

With a loss to the Stinking Panthers, the Bucs would, for the first time in 36 years, match a franchise mark that not even bumbling Leeman Bennett could accomplish.

With six consecutive home setbacks dating to last November, Tampa Bay could end the evening saddled with its first seven-game home losing streak since 1977.

Thirty-five seasons have passed since the 1977 club followed up the first win in Bucs history, a 33-14 victory at New Orleans, by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 17-7 in the season finale at Tampa Stadium.

At least when you are watching this game, you can tell your children’s children about it when they are sitting in your lap before the fireplace.

Look at the bright side. The losing should wane come January.

Joe has to give credit to Pewter Report chieftain Scott Reynolds. He has taken a bold stand and shows no signs of budging.

When the Bucs started off the month of September terribly, Reynolds declared that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik should rise up and fire Bucs commander Greg Schiano if the Bucs fell to 0-5.

The morning after the Bucs posted an 0-5 start, Reynolds held firm. Fire Schiano, Reynolds typed.

This week, Reynolds comes with more ammunition and dares to suggest that the Bucs were better off with his predecessor, Raheem Morris.

Not much has changed with Schiano. He’s lost 11 games in a 12-game stretch – just like Morris did in 2011. And that was good enough to fire Morris.

Although Morris didn’t have a healthy defensive tackle Gerald McCoy in Pro Bowl form, nor did he have Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis, Pro Bowl free safety Dashon Goldson, Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks, Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson, Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin, star strong safety Mark Barron and star linebacker Lavonte David like Schiano does.

Instead, Morris had defensive tackle Frank Okam, cornerback E.J. Biggers, free safety Cody Grimm, guard Derek Hardman, wide receiver Arrelious Benn, running back LeGarrette Blount, strong safety Sean Jones and weakside linebacker Geno Hayes to work with, and still managed to win 19 games in three years and coach the Bucs to 10 wins in 2010. Morris didn’t have nearly as many assistant coaches as Schiano does, and didn’t even have a defensive coordinator – as he did both jobs from the midway point in 2009 through 2011.

The one thing — about the only thing — Joe gave Morris credit for is that Morris and his staff made adjustments during the games, which seems to be the polar opposite of Schiano (how else to explain the Bucs have a grand total of one — one! — second half touchdown this season?). Morris’ problem, among others, was that his teams were woefully unprepared week after week and were constantly playing catch-up after giving up early leads.

At least Schiano’s teams aren’t getting alley-beaten by the likes of the miserable Jags like Morris’ squads were. Often, Schiano loses by the skin of his teeth.

Reynolds goes on to document that Schiano’s winning percentage currently stands at 31.8, the coach Reynolds refers to as the “Original Schiano,” Ray Perkins, has a 33.2 win percentage and next in line is Morris at 35.4. (John McKay, sired with an 33.3 winning percentage, began his expansion Bucs coaching days with a 2-26 mark.

Bumbling Leeman Bennett should somehow receive an award for only winning 12.5 percent of his games, which likely kept local Alcoholics Anonymous counselors busy.

Brian Billick previews the Bucs-Panthers game in this FOXSports.com video. Sadly, Billick explains why he thinks Carolina will have no problem handling the Bucs.

It was a spirited JoeBucsFan hour on the Steve Duemig show today on WDAE-AM 620. Joe and the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio hit on all kinds of topics, from coaching changes to rockstar general manager Mark Dominik to preserving Doug Martin and much more.