The Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Competition

There are quite a few starting QB battles available heading into the 2009 season and there are also some teams looking to make some QB moves. The Minnesota Vikings are still in talks with retired Brett Favre and a few teams may prove to be interested in newly released from jail Michael Vick. With that said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one team that has quite a few options at the position. This is leading to quite a spring training battle between all the possible suitors.

The Bucs have five potential starting QB's and only one of them can come out of camp with the coveted job. It appears that each guy also feels like they deserve the shot more than anyone else. Luke McCown feels that he is ready to take the next step in his progress, a step that he has been unable to make in recent years. Byron Leftwich is really hoping to get the chance to revive his career after being drowned out in Jacksonville. Veteran Brian Griese feels like he has the experience to lead the team that many of the other guys lack. Second year QB Josh Johnson is also hoping he can get involved in the battle and recent first round draft pick Josh Freeman will also get a good, long, hard look from the coaching staff.

The Bucs are intent on only bringing four QB's to training camp and it appears that either Johnson or McCown could be the odd man out as it is. Leftwich is really looking forward to the battle and things that the competition will make each quarterback play to the best of their abilities. Of course some favoritism has to be given to Leftwich as he was promised the shot to be the starter when he signed with the team in April. He was also gathering interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Redskins but chose Tampa Bay because he was told that he could play.

The good news is that Leftwich also has a great attitude when it comes to the competition. If he doesn’t play well, he doesn’t expect the job, but he expects to be given the chance to start if he is playing the way he is capable of.

McCown has played in 12 games over five NFL seasons and is a combined 1 and 6 in his career. Of course four of those starts came with a dismal Cleveland Browns team in 2004. Last year McCown only threw one pass in two games.  McCown is comparing himself to Matt Cassel after he came out of nowhere to become a superstar QB last season. It remains to be seen whether that is a worthy comparison or simply another NFL pipe dream.

Whichever QB comes out of camp as the starter will have quite a promising offense to work with, including star tight end Kellen Winslow, wide receiver Antonio Bryant and running back Derrick Ward. The Bucs are also in talks to possibly bring in free agent perennial all star Plaxico Burress for the season. It should be an exciting year no matter what for Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans.