Mike Glennon will receive extensive playing time during Buccaneers’ preseason

Josh Freeman wasn't supposed to be a concern for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fifth-year quarterback threw a career-high 27 touchdown passes in 2012, but he completed just 54.8 percent of his passes, had 17 interceptions and managed just 7.3 yards per attempt as the Bucs fell apart late in the season for the second year in a row. For that reason, 2013 third-round pick Mike Glennon might get a shot at starting sooner than anticipated.

Tampa Bay coaches have been impressed with Glennon during rookie minicamp, and Mark Cook of the Pewter Report says the Buccaneers had him as the top-rated quarterback on their draft board this year. Taken with the 11th pick of the third round out of N.C. State, the 6'7 Glennon did not face a very stiff competition in terms of the 2013 quarterback class. No quarterback was taken in the top ten, only E.J. Manuel was a QB taken in the first round, and Glennon ended up being the third quarterback selected in the draft at the 73rd overall pick.

Still, despite the class being seen as "weak" by many experts, it doesn't preclude any of them from getting a chance to start, just as 2012 third-round picks Russell Wilson and Nick Foles did last year for the Seahawks and Eagles, respectively. General manager Mark Dominik recently said that Glennon will get "a lot of reps in the preseason" and have a chance to prove his mettle.