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So, here's a little tidbit from the Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman, presumably after today's press conference proper had finished:
Bucs' Lovie Smith, asked if Josh McCown is his quarterback: "Yes, he is."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 12, 2014
Smith had already made it pretty clear that he doesn't feel confident (at least at this point in time) moving forward with Mike Glennon. That comment from Lovie, though, has made it all-but-certain that there'll be someone else under center come opening day.
More intriguingly, perhaps sending something of mixed messages, Auman later tweeted out this nugget:
Asked if signing McCown precludes Bucs from drafting a QB, Lovie Smith said: "Not at all."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 12, 2014
So, despite calling Josh McCown 'his' quarterback, he's not ruling out drafting a quarterback. That could mean one of two things:
1) McCown is now the Bucs' starting QB, but the team will potentially draft another quarterback, presumably as a developmental project
2) SMOKESCREEN SEASON IS IN FULL SWING
I'm opting for number two - call me a fantasist, but if the team really wants to fill all its holes in free agency, then there's nothing stopping the Bucs trying to trade up to grab Teddy Bridgewater - but which ever option is the case, it pretty much spells disaster for Mike Glennon. So there you have it; it appears that the Era Of The Giraffe is over.
UPDATE: Well, it's now unequivocal:
Bucs coach Lovie Smith made it very clear today that new QB Josh McCown is his quarterback and starting job is now his to lose.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 12, 2014
Rick Stroud, also from the Tampa Bay Times, has a choice quote from Smith on the matter:
Smith: "There has to be a starting spot, a starting point, a starting person to go out there first and that would be Josh.''
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 12, 2014
Stroud went on to clarify that McCown doesn't preclude from the Bucs drafting a QB at no. 7 over all. He also relates a story that Smith tried to first sign McCown to the Bears in 2010, but he refused as he had already committed to the UFL's Hartford Colonials. Apparently, McCown's refusal to break his promise to the Colonials impressed Smith deeply.