The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' second-year quarterback, Mike Glennon, is working under a new head coach, absorbing a new offensive system and sitting in the QB meeting room with three new teammates. In one respect, however, he's in a familiar spot. Just like a year ago, in his first NFL training camp, Glennon is a young passer running second behind an established NFL starter.
It's quite obvious that Glennon and the Bucs' imported veteran starter, Josh McCown, are working with a spirit of cooperation and teamwork rather than animosity in this year's training camp. Still, Glennon is a competitor, as he should be, and his ultimate goal would be to once again leapfrog his veteran teammate into the starting role. He did it last year, and he actually feels quite a bit more comfortable 12 months later.
"First of all, I feel a lot further advanced than I did last year," said Glennon. "Everything makes a lot more sense out here. The game continues to slow down for me, and I think that's the biggest thing. Last year, I was in the same position as I am now. I'm just going to go out there and continue to compete and help the team in any way I can."
Glennon and his defensive teammate, linebacker Lavonte David, spoke with the media after practice on Tuesday. Below are more of their thoughts.
LB Lavonte David
On if it feels strange having his teammates on offense talk trash to him during the goal line drill
"Not at all. It's a competitive sport. It's part of the game. Especially around this time, it's just offense versus defense. But at the end of the day, we're all just trying to get better and we're all trying to work on what we need to work on."On if it is good to start applying contact in drills before the preseason starts
"I think it's really good. It's been a long time since we've been tackling. When you get down to the goal line and things like that, it gets really physical. It's just a good thing to go ahead and get the jitters out of the way."**
On where he thinks the defense stands as of right now**
"Just a work in progress. Obviously, we want to be the No. 1 defense at the end of the year, but it takes time. This is our first year in the system. We're just working. That's what training camp is for and that's what the preseason is for."On if head coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier complement each other
"Of course. Lovie is laid back and letting coach Leslie Frazier take over. He's the coordinator – [Lovie] is letting him do his job. When Lovie needs to step in, he steps in. So far, so good. Everybody is working together – position coaches as well."On what Lovie Smith is asking from the defense
"Obviously, just stopping the run, first of all. Taking the ball away and just playing fast and physical. We've got a bunch of great athletes on the field in all three groups. Guys are just working hard for the coaches and we're out here just trying to prove it."
QB Mike Glennon
On his confidence in himself
"I've always had confidence in myself. I felt like I showed what I could do last year and I know that I can succeed at this level. I've always had confidence in myself and I know what I'm capable of doing."On what he likes about the new offense
"There's a lot of things I like. We really mix it up, we do a lot of different things. We get the ball in the playmakers' hands and let them do their thing, and that's what I like about it. The ball is out of our hands quick and we let the playmakers do what they can."
