Byron Leftwich will be the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Raheem Morris has informed his team. Leftwich beat out Luke McCown in one of the least inspiring QB battles in recent memory, and will direct a Tampa Bay team of which little is expected through a likely rebuilding season.Morris' decision leaves only two NFL teams -- the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions -- undecided about their starting quarterbacks as the third week of the preseason hits its climax. (That is, unless you count the Patriots.) Daunte Culpepper gets the start for Detroit this afternoon against the Colts and at this point looks like the favorite to open the season as the Lions' starter over rookie Matthew Stafford. Meanwhile, true to frustrating form, Browns coach Eric Mangini isn't saying who will start tonight's game against the Titans, though the thought in Cleveland seems to be that a decision will be made today on whether Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson will be the regular-season starter.
The situation in Cleveland is muddled for good reason. The Browns are not likely to contend for much in 2009. In fact, there's a pretty good chance they could be the worst team in the NFL. So even if the more experienced Anderson gives them the better chance to compete in and possibly win games this year, it still might make more sense to give the job to Quinn, the former No. 1 draft choice, and let him experience some in-season growth and development. The former Notre Dame QB is a fan favorite, though that's not likely to matter to Mangini. He's got to do what's best for his team (and for Quinn), and if he's not thinking long-term more than he's thinking short-term, then he needs to revise his thinking.
The Lions, coming off an 0-16 season, aren't likely to set the world on fire in 2009 either. But they have good reasons to pick the veteran Culpepper over the rookie Stafford to start the season. First Culpepper has by all accounts looked very good ever since the start of minicamp, reporting in shape and moving around and throwing the ball the way he did in his younger glory days with the Vikings. That mobility could be crucial, because offensive line play remains a major concern for the Lions and whoever the QB is probably can't count on regular pocket integrity.With everything Detroit has invested in Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, it would be understandable if they were hesitant to put him behind a lousy O-line. Culpepper has looked more than capable, and at this point I would expect the Lions to name him the starter at least for the first three or four games of the season while Stafford continues to learn the league.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Photos
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 27: Running back Patrick Cobbs #38 of the Miami Dolphins is tackled by defender Steve Cargile #37 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 27, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Cobbs;Steve Cargile
Getty Images
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 27: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to the sideline for the signal against the Miami Dolphins during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 27, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Freeman
Getty Images
Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington (10) looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
AP
Miami Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano (80) celebrates a two-yard touchdown reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington watches Ronnie Brown run for nine yards before he is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Niko Koutouvides in the second quarter of a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, August 27, 2009. (Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT)
MCT
Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano talks to quarterback Chad Pennington in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, August 27, 2009. (Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT)
MCT
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline breaks a tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Torrie Cox for a first down in the second quarter of a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, August 27, 2009. (Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT)
MCT
Miami Dolphins cornerback Nathan Jones sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Luke McCown in the second quarter of a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, August 27, 2009. (Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT)
MCT
Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington throws a pass in the second quarter as he is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Ryan Sims in a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, August 27, 2009. (Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT)
MCT
Miami Dolphins' defensive end Lionel Dotson can't tackle Tampa Bay Buccaneers Earnest Graham in the second quarter of a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, August 27, 2009. (Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT)
MCT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-29-2009 @ 1:41PM
erkel6224 said...
Big Mistake, Yours Truly Jacksonville
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 3:59PM
jagmar2 said...
LMAO!!! Tampa... you guys are sooooooo screwed..... Lumpwich will bring your team down to Pop Warner material... (no offense Pop) Listen to the interviews with him.... he's s-st-stuuupid.... dumber than a box of rocks... (no offense to the rocks) The only way this guy gets you to a Superbowl is if he buys everyone tickets... He wasn't good enough in Jax and couldn't carry Ben's jock strap in Pitt and now he's gonna lead your team? LMAO.... good luck with that... Again... You guys are sooooo screwed....
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 7:00PM
imshortyk said...
Wow, thanks for your input, Jagmar . . . =/
I, being a Bucs fan, am sorely pissed at this decision myself. McCown should be the starter, without a doubt. He's more mobile, he adjusts the plays and calls out blitzes . . . he just does more. Plus he's more accurate. But it seems the Bucs're set on this so-called down the field offense, wanting to throw it long and hard so Byron's more enticing apparently.
Whatever. They're still my favorite team and I'll stick by them . . . I just think this is a mistake.
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8-29-2009 @ 9:39PM
sirb1azeem said...
The bucs are screwed period!. Besides having no offense they have no coach! And one defensive star is not a defense. Watch out for the Saints.
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8-29-2009 @ 10:28PM
rivdiv513 said...
It seems that Morris makes up his mind he is the coach??? First shot was trading up, giving up a draft choice to pickup a QB that would likely been there late. Now a has been that couldn't make it in J-Ville, nor Atlanta, lucky Pitts didn't need him for much, but he the coaches pick, Ha. Coachy is hoping to put K-State as starting QB asap. Pray we can use a running game.
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8-30-2009 @ 2:55AM
Mario said...
being a bucs fan i do not want to see byron leftwich start.they might as well bring back brian griese.leftwich has an ugly wind up,he's to slow and he is fragile.i would feel better if he played on the d-line.
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8-30-2009 @ 8:20AM
ivanatlas said...
Well, it looks like the Tampa Bay Bucs will be attempting to tie the 2008 Lions 0-16 record setting year. Leftwich is AWFUL! The new "head coach" is off to a very, VERY bad start.
What a freaking joke it is to name LEFTWICH the starter.
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8-30-2009 @ 9:15AM
cozilovah said...
Jesus, is there no end to this madness! Leftwich has never been a good QB! At his best he's been average! Morris has, in my opinion really screwed the Bucs. With so many talented young guys out there, he had to pick Leftwich??? He and the owners who put him in charge need to have their heads checked. What a sorry azz picture this season has in store for the fans....
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9-01-2009 @ 9:59AM
Oliver said...
leftwich should be holding the clipboard behind freeman. i just hope the running game hold us down so we don't have to depend on this bum to win games. he's going break down anyway so josh will get his shot i just hope it's not to late in the season. GO BUCS!
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9-05-2009 @ 11:47AM
FalconBmG said...
With the type of offense we have, I truly beleive that we need a mobile quarterback. I personally think that if the Bucs are going with Leftwhich why not just throw Josh Johnson in the mix? That at least would give us another option to go to in the event there is no where else to go, he can scramble. Michael Vick would've been a big piece to this crazy delussional puzzle this organization has put the team and its fans in!
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