Bucs Can Rectify Early QB Mistakes by Starting Mike Glennon Going Forward

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-3 and in desperate need of some type of spark after a horrendous effort Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons. The only logical conclusion is to start second-year quarterback Mike Glennon as the team attempts to salvage this season.

The move will already be too late once it is officially made. Glennon earned the right to open this season as the Buccaneers starting quarterback. The team, however, decided it needed a veteran presence behind center. The organization couldn't have been more wrong. 

This isn't simply about Josh McCown's lackluster play. Every area of the Buccaneers team has been a disappointment this season. But the veteran should never have been placed in this situation from the start. 

McCown signed a two-year, $10 million contract during free agency after six strong contests with the Chicago Bears when the backup quarterback filled in for injured starter Jay Cutler. Otherwise, McCown's history dictates exactly what type of player he actually is. 

Glennon, meanwhile, played better in 2013 than any other quarterback from last year's rookie class. 

Players	Games	Completion %	Passing Yards	Touchdowns	Turnovers
Mike Glennon	13	59.4	2,608	19	12
EJ Manuel	10	58.8	1,972	11	12
Geno Smith	16	55.8	3,046	12	25

The two quarterbacks drafted before Glennon, the BillsEJ Manuel and the Jets Geno Smith, entered this season as starters, while the Buccaneers quarterback was relegated to the bench. 

Why? 

Because Smith's previous relationship blinded him to McCown's true value. A legitimate competition at the position with a veteran presence to help develop Glennon would have been highly beneficial for the young quarterback. The team instead decided to name McCown the starter almost immediately. 

A closer look at Glennon's play last year indicates he has the tools necessary to be a starting quarterback in the NFL and potentially be the Buccaneers quarterback of the future. 

There was one point during the 2013 campaign where the Buccaneers won four out of five games with Glennon starting. His most impressive outing came during a 41-28 victory against the Falcons of all teams. 

Date of game	Completion %	Yards	Touchdowns	Interceptions
10-20-2013	59.1	256	2	0
11-17-2013	87.0	231	2	0
9-18-2014	70.8	121	1	0

Glennon's second performance showed a quarterback who can play smart, mistake-free football against the same team that rattled McCown Thursday night. 

Below are two examples, one from each Falcons contest last year, to provide an idea of Glennon's talent and what he can do if given the chance to take over the reins of Tampa Bay's offense. 

Glennon is often considered a statuesque pocket passer who is also indecisive at times. But he's shown enough athleticism in and out of the pocket to make the right throws when forced to move off his spot. 

During the Buccaneers' first meeting with the Falcons last season, Glennon made an exceptional play that should have placed his team within striking distance to tie the game. 

Tampa Bay trailed 31-17 at the start of the fourth quarter, and the rookie quarterback was asked to make a play on 4th-and-goal from the 13-yard line. Glennon was flushed from the pocket after he surveyed the field. His initial read wasn't open to his right. He worked back to his second and third reads before pressure collapsed the pocket. Glennon rolled to his left before he saw wide receiver Tiquan Underwood work his way free in the end zone. 

NFL Game Rewind

Glennon threw the pass just before momentum took him out of bounds, and Underwood came down with the catch. 

This series of events shows a young quarterback who didn't force the ball into coverage when his receivers weren't initially available. His athleticism was on display by rolling to his left and avoiding pressure. And Glennon's arm strength was apparent when he whipped the pass to his right despite falling out of bounds to his left. 

Unfortunately, the play was negated due to a penalty, and Tampa Bay settled for a field goal. However, it did show exactly what Glennon can do when the game is on the line and he's trying to make a play. 

The second example was a very different result. 

The second meeting between the rivals was tied 3-3 at the start of the second quarter. Glennon connected with his veteran wide receiver, Vincent Jackson, at the beginning of the drive for a 47-yard gain. 

NFL Game Rewind

Jackson made a spectacular one-handed grab, but there were multiple impressive aspects to Glennon's throw. 

First, Glennon sold play action and the linebackers bit. Second, the quarterback did a nice job looking off the safety. Finally, Glennon dropped the ball on Jackson's outside shoulder from nearly 60 yards away. 

David Goldman/Associated Press

This is the type of talent Glennon presents. He'll make mistakes as a young and inexperienced quarterback, but at least there is room for growth. Whereas McCown will be remembered in Tampa Bay as nothing more than a stop-gap quarterback, who was 5-of-12 passing for 58 yards and an interception as his team was embarrassed on national television. 

While it's completely unfair to place the entire blame on McCown, Glennon provides multiple benefits McCown doesn't. 

It starts with Glennon's potential.

The Buccaneers spent a third-round pick on the quarterback a year ago. There were reasons behind the selection even if the decision was made by the previous regime. Glennon is a 6'6" quarterback with a big arm and the ability to throw the ball into tight windows. He's already shown he can play in the NFL. And he's only going to improve as he starts to fully understand the new playbook and becomes more comfortable with his reads against opposing defenses.

McCown, on the other hand, is a 35-year-old journeyman quarterback. 

A switch at quarterback will also provide Buccaneers fans and the team a sliver of hope. After an 0-3 start to the season, everyone has seen exactly what McCown brings to the table, and it's not promising. Change could provide the shot in the arm needed to get this team back on track. After all, Glennon helped the Buccaneers win a few games last season. 

It's also important for the the team to find out exactly what they have in Glennon. Smith once referred to the young quarterback as the future of the franchise. Well, the future is now, and Glennon is the team's best option behind center. 

At worst, a poor performance by Glennon will lead the the organization to look for another quarterback next offseason, and the fanbase can get excited about the current crop of collegiate signal-callers. 

Finally, the young quarterback is healthy, which is something that can't be said about McCown. 

It appears the team's mindset to start McCown if he's healthy is also fracturing. Smith almost begrudgingly provided a compliment to Glennon after the team's recent loss. 

Glennon shouldn't be considered the savior of the Buccaneers' sinking ship. There are leaks all over this barge. The young quarterback, though, could potentially provide a lifeline if he's inserted into the lineup. Glennon presents enough talent to at least right the ship, and that talent was readily apparent last season.