Tennessee Titans Fan Poll: Is Mike Glennon Worth a Mid-Round Draft Pick?
Nov 24, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Locker was supposed to become the franchise quarterback of the Tennessee Titans. Injuries have prevented that from taking place. The 2011 first-rounder enters his fourth season recovering from a Lisfranc foot injury that prematurely ended his 2013-14 NFL season. Although Ken Whisenhunt and the new coaching staff have insisted that they support Locker, they’ve done homework on other quarterbacks. That homework includes but isn’t limited to scheduling pre-draft visits and witnessing Pro Days of potential draft prospects.
Is the franchise quarterback currently on the Titans’ roster or is he in the 2014 NFL Draft? Maybe neither. The Titans may find their man already stashed away on another team’s roster: Mike Glennon.
Chris Wesseling of NFL.com reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have placed the second-year quarterback on the trading block. The 2013 third-round pick was inserted into the starting lineup just four games into last season when Josh Freeman eventually played himself out of good graces with former head coach Greg Schiano and out of a job. The question is whether Tampa Bay wants to trade him or if they’re using him as a smokescreen to force another team to trade up for Johnny Manziel.
Wesseling speculates on four teams who may provide interest in Glennon’s services. The first team he mentions: the Titans:
"Tennessee Titans: Coach Ken Whisenhunt has worked with pure pocket passers such as Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner and Philip Rivers. He’s been doing his due diligence on prospects leading up to the draft, suggesting a young quarterback is on the radar. The most obvious connection, though, is new quarterbacks coach John McNulty, who tutored Glennon in Tampa last season."
Let’s take a quick look at his career statistics following his rookie season (Pro Football Reference).
Tennessee Titans Fan Poll: Is Mike Glennon Worth a Draft Pick?
Not bad numbers for a rookie quarterback. Compare his 19-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio with rookie seasons of quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning (26-to-28), Andrew Luck (23-to-18), Geno Smith (12-to-21) and E.J. Manuel (11-to-9). Glennon accomplished that with the NFL’s 22nd-ranked run offense.
Glennon has always been one of those “big arm” quarterbacks that scouts salivate over. Upon entering the 2013 NFL Draft, concerns about Glennon dealt with his immobility, decision-making, accuracy and ability to read coverages.
John McNulty did good work with Glennon in Tampa Bay. Could those two work together and enjoy continued success in Whisenhunt’s offense? Glennon would likely come with a Round 3-4 price tag. Glennon has NFL experience and is more prepared to compete against Locker for a starting job at training camp. None of the current quarterbacks will push Locker for his starting job. No other Round 3-4 quarterback prospect would push him for the Week 1 job.
Previous connection with quarterback coach, big-arm quarterback who’d appear to fit in Whisenhunt’s offense, one-year NFL sample size compared to complete unknown 2014 draft prospects, a better fit to push Locker for the 2014 starting job…If the Titans truly want to add a Day 3 quarterback prospect, then they should consider trading for Glennon.
Poll attached below.
SOURCE
NFL.com