If Glennon is the future, the future is now

 

 

Is it now safe to say it's Mike Glennon's job to lose? For Lovie Smith the decision is still in question. In the case for many Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans it should be Glennon starting this Sunday. After two solid performances by the second year quarterback, Mike Glennon if anything has proven he deserves the job. Glennon should be (2-0) as a starter in 2014 but some horrible calls from the refs and some late offensive line struggles resulted in a (37-31) overtime loss versus the New Orleans Saints. Glennon went (19/32) for (249) yards (2) touchdowns and one interception. He could have easily had (5) or (6) more completions due to dropped passes by his receivers. Glennon looked poised as he led the Bucs down the field on three different occasions that ended in touchdowns. Even after trailing (13-0) late in the first half they managed (10) quick points to bring the Bucs within 3 at the half. Tampa Bay ran off (17) unanswered points due in part to their defense who harassed Saints quarterback Drew Brees all game. The Bucs had (15) penalties for (133) yards which will definitely keep you on the losing end of things however; once again solid play for Glennon had the Bucs in control most of the game.

 

In Tampa's week 4 matchup versus Pittsburgh, Glennon led Tampa Bay to a come from behind victory at Heinz Field. The Bucs had only won once in (8) attempts against the Steelers until Glennon's late game heroics. A (5) yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with just (7) seconds in regulation helped the Bucs grab their first win of the season over Pittsburgh (27-24). Mike Glennon went (21/42) for (302) yards two touchdowns and one interception. Once again dropped passes plagued Tampa but Glennon's resilience proved to be the difference. Unlike his counterpart Josh McCown, Glennon was able to lead the Bucs on the comeback trail in both games. Another thing that has helped the second year QB is he doesn't turn the ball over. Tampa's first (3) games seen Josh McCown constantly make bad decisions and look like the career backup he has been. Mike Glennon has registered (5) touchdowns and just (2) interceptions with a QBR of (87.6) through only (2.5) games. While Josh McCown has (3) touchdowns to (4) interceptions including allowing an atrocious Atlanta defense run a pick (6) on the Bucs in that embarrassing primetime game a few weeks back. Although Josh has a better completion ratio his (65.8) QBR ranks in the bottom half of the league among starting quarterbacks. McCown also has been incapable of leading his team back after deficits, a task Glennon has looked tremendous in hostile environments (Heinz Field/Mercedes Benz Superdome).

 

 

 

Josh McCown is still nursing a thumb injury and could be back for this Sunday's game against Baltimore. The question that remains is will he continue to be on the sidelines? After two good performances from Glennon, hopefully Lovie Smith's commitment to McCown will fade away. Puzzling is the fact the way Glennon has played that he wasn't giving a fair chance to compete for the starting job during the summer as Lovie quickly handed McCown the keys. The Buccaneers possibly had started (3-2) atop of the NFC South and not searching for answers from the basement at (1-4). When McCown was the starter, Tampa Bay averaged just (12.4) points and managed only (265) total yards per game. With Glennon under center (28.8) points per game alongside (308) total yards is a drastic comparison . Nevertheless, the rushing attack will have to find its way in the offense. The Bucs ran for a total of (246) yards in their first two match-ups thanks in large part to Bobby Rainey, but haven't broke over (100) rushing yards in their last two games. Injuries hinder every team but at least this week the Bucs didn't fall victim to that as ailing injuries on both sides of the ball still linger. For Lovie Smith's sake at least give Glennon the nod against Baltimore before heading into the bye week. A fair evaluation of everything and everyone can be assessed. Regardless a win Sunday versus the Ravens could help the Buccaneers cause moving forward. The bye week will assist with key members becoming healthy. Counter that with a schedule that will consist of several below (.500) teams a year ago on the slate ahead may generate some confidence and most importantly some wins which are desperately needed. A weak NFC South with (CAR 3-2, ATL 2-3, NO, 2-3) and the Buccaneers could make things interesting moving forward or it could be time for Marcus Mariota's name on the draft board. One thing is for certain, if Glennon is the future the future has started now.