INDIANAPOLIS -- With Lovie Smith's opening address to the media officially over, we can now celebrate the beginning of combine theater.
The Bucs head coach spent part of Wednesday touting Mike Glennon as his franchise quarterback, an absurd notion considering that Smith only started Glennon in six games, and played the now-released Josh McCown down the stretch.
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In advance of the draft, Marcus Mariota and others will look to showcase their skills at the combine (Feb. 17-23), only on NFL Network. **SCHEDULE**
"Yeah, I think you can definitely say that Mike can be the quarterback that can play at a high level in this league," Smith said when asked if Glennon can be a franchise quarterback. "And I mean, we only have one quarterback on our roster. If you look at the comments I've made about him, yes, I think he can be that guy."
Added general manager Jason Licht: "We want him to be part of the future; we like him a lot."
This is Tampa Bay's way of positioning themselves publicly in case there's something they don't like about Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota when they meet with the top prospects later this week. That, or it's a horribly constructed smokescreen with the No. 1 pick looming.
While there's no doubt that Glennon has talent, Smith did not develop him in 2014 when he had every opportunity to.
Glennon went 1-5 in six starts, completing 57.6 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. It wasn't an awful campaign considering that his offensive coordinator went on medical leave a quarter of the way through the season.
Apparently, that was enough to prove he's a franchise passer.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews this week's NFL Scouting Combine with Bucky Brooks. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
