Remember when Tampa Bay fans took out billboards by the team's stadium to announce their desire head coach Greg Schiano get fired? The Buccaneers were knee deep in scandals regarding then-quarterback Josh Freeman as well as bacterial infections breaking out in team facilities. Tampa Bay had yet to win a game and were appearing more and more like a franchise headed nowhere fast. Well do not look now, but Tampa Bay is on a three-game win streak and support is pouring in for Schiano.
Tampa Bay's season is essentially lost as far as playoffs go. Now the team is in a race for the top pick in the 2014 draft, but the outlook is certainly not as grim as it once was. The team earned their third victory of the year, no longer qualifying them as the worst team in the NFL. The Buccaneers edged out the playoff-bound Detroit Lions 24-21 as the defense caused four turnovers and never gave up.
Schiano praised the team for giving one of the more gutsy performances of the season. The win not only brought in praise for Schiano, but Mike Glennon might have just secured himself a spot as the long-term starter for the team. The rookie quarterback went 14 for 21 in passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw a single interception while being a crucial game manager with running back Bobby Rainey.
General manager Mark Dominik had a lengthy discussion with SiriusXM Radio to discuss the season of the Buccaneers. He noted the first half came with a lot of struggles and frustrations, but the adjustments by the coaching staff and players have him thrilled.
"Well, I know the work ethic and the determination are top notch," Dominik said. "I think every general manager would be proud with the way he works and prepares the way Coach Schiano does. I will tell you this: It has been a tough season. As we all know, the head coach and the quarterback get most of the blame -- and the majority of the glory when things go right. The one thing that we have here in Tampa Bay is a guy with tough skin in Coach Schiano. He stayed the course. He believed in his fundamentals, and the team has stayed with him. That is the most important thing you can say."
Dominik stopped short of calling Glennon a franchise quarterback, but he is thrilled about the potential being displayed by the rookie. Glennon has 13 touchdowns and just four picks as a starter this season with a 91.6 passer rating. It is smart of the general manager to not buy into the early success to quickly considering the way Josh Freeman turned out.
"I tell you what: With a guy like Mike Glennon, I know he knows what to do and where to go with the football. I know our older veteran players respect him because of how hard he works at it, and it's just good to have him here," Dominik said.
As of now, it appears Tampa Bay will not start off by drafting a quarterback in 2014. Mock drafts have the team taking an offensive lineman to add protrection for Glennon.
