Post by riczaj01 on Mar 9, 2017 5:39:32 GMT -6
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-mike-glennon-comparisons-biggs-spt-0309-20170308-column.html
Confused about Bears, Mike Glennon? There's reason to be open-minded
Brad BiggsContact Reporter
Chicago Tribune
NFL coaches who know Mike Glennon are throwing around some eye-opening comparables in discussing the free-agent quarterback. If they prove anywhere close to reality, the Bears will get a bargain no matter what they pay.
All indications are the Bears will sign the 27-year-old after the free-agency period opens at 3 p.m. Thursday. That's what sources with multiple teams were hearing.
The Tribune reported last week that Glennon was the team's top target at the position, and his contract could average upwards of $14 million per year. The length of the expected deal is not known. Meanwhile, Brian Hoyer, the Bears' starter for five games last season, will sign a two-year contract with the 49ers.
There is a considerable gap between the public perception of Glennon and the opinions of people who know him. At the minimum, that should make naysayers step back and keep an open mind as the team moves on from Jay Cutler, who was 52-52 in eight seasons.
"I think he is definitely a starting quarterback in the NFL," one head coach said. "I've always thought Glennon was a similar player skill-wise to Matt Ryan.
That's my comparison. Now, Matt Ryan is a first-round pick who has started nine years. But I like this guy."
"Big arm and accurate," said a former Buccaneers assistant who spent time with Glennon. "He can move around enough for being a pocket thrower. Smart and people will gravitate to him quickly."
"Huge believer," another former Bucs coach said. "Sharp guy. Accurate. Tough. He is a legit NFL starter."
Sure, comparisons to Ryan, the reigning NFL MVP who led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, seem over the top. But 80 percent as good as Ryan puts the Bears on a better path than they've been on, and Glennon's leadership qualities will set a different tone for the position than Cutler has since his arrival in 2009.
Some have called Glennon a better version of Kyle Orton, who had a 21-12 record as a starter on a Bears team with a very good defense. Obviously, whatever the Bears do they will still be in position to draft a quarterback next month.
If folks who have worked with Glennon love him this much, it becomes intriguing. The money, even if it reaches $15 million per season, ranks in the bottom third of the league for quarterback pay. Another source said the Bears have done deep background work on Glennon to learn about his four seasons in Tampa and how he was on the practice field, in the meeting room and in the locker room. Their goal was to learn everything there is to know about Glennon.
Who is Mike Glennon?
Glennon played for North Carolina State and graduated with a masters in liberal studies. (March 8, 2017)
Ryan Pace saw Glennon up close when the quarterback started two games against the Saints in 2013 and 2014 and Glennon has intangibles the general manager is seeking when you spend time talking to those who know Glennon.
The Bears will need to protect Glennon, and perhaps that is why they were in the market for Ravens right tackle Ricky Wagner before he reportedly agreed to a deal with the Lions for around $9 million per season. They need to surround Glennon with better talent than he had around him in Tampa. That would hold true with anyone the Bears introduce as their next quarterback.
Surrounding Glennon with talent means finding wide receivers for him to utilize, and Alshon Jeffery remains on the market while some teams have reportedly reached deals. The Dolphins are re-signing Kenny Stills, and Pierre Garcon reportedly is headed to the 49ers. The Bucs are expected to push for DeSean Jackson.
Jeffery has been seeking $14 million per year, and the Bears may have had his valued pegged correctly. Pace said last week sometimes you need to allow a player to get a sense of his true value on the open market. If that happens, maybe Jeffery returns in similar fashion to Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, who appeared headed for the 49ers in 2008 before he re-signed after testing free agency.
The Eagles and Titans could be in the market for wide receiver help. Indications last week were the Rams would not be a player for Jeffery, but things can change.
Unless the Bears surprise a lot of teams around the league, they will add Glennon very soon. Some out there believe he will do pretty well.
bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @bradbiggs
Confused about Bears, Mike Glennon? There's reason to be open-minded
Brad BiggsContact Reporter
Chicago Tribune
NFL coaches who know Mike Glennon are throwing around some eye-opening comparables in discussing the free-agent quarterback. If they prove anywhere close to reality, the Bears will get a bargain no matter what they pay.
All indications are the Bears will sign the 27-year-old after the free-agency period opens at 3 p.m. Thursday. That's what sources with multiple teams were hearing.
The Tribune reported last week that Glennon was the team's top target at the position, and his contract could average upwards of $14 million per year. The length of the expected deal is not known. Meanwhile, Brian Hoyer, the Bears' starter for five games last season, will sign a two-year contract with the 49ers.
There is a considerable gap between the public perception of Glennon and the opinions of people who know him. At the minimum, that should make naysayers step back and keep an open mind as the team moves on from Jay Cutler, who was 52-52 in eight seasons.
"I think he is definitely a starting quarterback in the NFL," one head coach said. "I've always thought Glennon was a similar player skill-wise to Matt Ryan.
That's my comparison. Now, Matt Ryan is a first-round pick who has started nine years. But I like this guy."
"Big arm and accurate," said a former Buccaneers assistant who spent time with Glennon. "He can move around enough for being a pocket thrower. Smart and people will gravitate to him quickly."
"Huge believer," another former Bucs coach said. "Sharp guy. Accurate. Tough. He is a legit NFL starter."
Sure, comparisons to Ryan, the reigning NFL MVP who led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, seem over the top. But 80 percent as good as Ryan puts the Bears on a better path than they've been on, and Glennon's leadership qualities will set a different tone for the position than Cutler has since his arrival in 2009.
Some have called Glennon a better version of Kyle Orton, who had a 21-12 record as a starter on a Bears team with a very good defense. Obviously, whatever the Bears do they will still be in position to draft a quarterback next month.
If folks who have worked with Glennon love him this much, it becomes intriguing. The money, even if it reaches $15 million per season, ranks in the bottom third of the league for quarterback pay. Another source said the Bears have done deep background work on Glennon to learn about his four seasons in Tampa and how he was on the practice field, in the meeting room and in the locker room. Their goal was to learn everything there is to know about Glennon.
Who is Mike Glennon?
Glennon played for North Carolina State and graduated with a masters in liberal studies. (March 8, 2017)
Ryan Pace saw Glennon up close when the quarterback started two games against the Saints in 2013 and 2014 and Glennon has intangibles the general manager is seeking when you spend time talking to those who know Glennon.
The Bears will need to protect Glennon, and perhaps that is why they were in the market for Ravens right tackle Ricky Wagner before he reportedly agreed to a deal with the Lions for around $9 million per season. They need to surround Glennon with better talent than he had around him in Tampa. That would hold true with anyone the Bears introduce as their next quarterback.
Surrounding Glennon with talent means finding wide receivers for him to utilize, and Alshon Jeffery remains on the market while some teams have reportedly reached deals. The Dolphins are re-signing Kenny Stills, and Pierre Garcon reportedly is headed to the 49ers. The Bucs are expected to push for DeSean Jackson.
Jeffery has been seeking $14 million per year, and the Bears may have had his valued pegged correctly. Pace said last week sometimes you need to allow a player to get a sense of his true value on the open market. If that happens, maybe Jeffery returns in similar fashion to Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, who appeared headed for the 49ers in 2008 before he re-signed after testing free agency.
The Eagles and Titans could be in the market for wide receiver help. Indications last week were the Rams would not be a player for Jeffery, but things can change.
Unless the Bears surprise a lot of teams around the league, they will add Glennon very soon. Some out there believe he will do pretty well.
bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @bradbiggs
