Holmes: Should The Ravens Trade For QB Mike Glennon?
The Baltimore Ravens experienced their first dose of reality without Joe Flacco starting at quarterback in the latter part of the 2015-16 season. After adding a brand new bach of players to the flock in the latest draft, the team didn't opt to go with a quarterback in the later rounds. While understandable, given the needs across the board and Ozzie Newsome's best-player-available method, backup quarterback is a need.
If there's one thing Baltimore learned through a tumultuous season, depth and security and quarterback is imperative.
The ACL and MCL ligament injuries to the team captain were arguably the harshest reality the team had faced in a decade (since suffering through four years of Kyle Boller, that is). When trials such as Flacco's absence come about, great realizations can be made by smart figures within the organization. One of which should be addressing the strikingly evident need for a steady, smart backup quarterback who resembles Flacco's skill-set and demeanor should something tragically happen to number five again in the future.
While some close to and within the organization believe the Ravens are set with solid depth at quarterback, reserves Matt Schaub, Jimmy Clausen, and Ryan Mallett posting less than stellar numbers and just two collective wins would suggest otherwise. One could argue the importance of pursuing a quarterback beyond the currently signed Ryan Mallett at second string would be a waste of time and money. Mallett has a fairly strong arm, but his demeanor and attitude could revert back to their troubling ways after having a glimmer of success as a backup.
There's a player who some have whispered to be very available for a moderate price, according to some NFL circles. Tampa Bay's Mike Glennon is now a certified "BUT" player (benched-until-tragedy) behind the sophomore promise Jameis Winston. Moreover, Tampa stated not so quietly how they felt about Glennon after bringing in fellow certified backup Josh McCown to not only compete, but eventually start an entire season over Glennon before Winston arrived the next year.
On the surface, it's easy to draw a conclusion as to why a writer in an NFL circle would suggest the Ravens acquire Glennon. At 6-6, he's the same height as Flacco. He also boasts a strong arm as his most notable quarterback skill. Even his temperament is similar to Flacco's. While the the comparison between Glennon and Flacco is obvious when it comes to physical similarities, the good reasoning behind bringing the quarterback in doesn't end with body attributes. People across the league need to take a hard second look at Mike Glennon.
Glennon was benched for basically no reason other than Lovie Smith preferring "one of his guys" and signing Josh McCown. McCown faced nearly no competition in training camp against Glennon, as he was catapulted to the starting job after regular Lovie endorsements with a worse body of work than Glennon. While many may scoff at the idea of Mike Glennon being unfairly benched, his impressive numbers (below) suggest he should not only be a coveted backup, but deserves another crack at a starting job. There are few quarterbacks with 19 starts who post nearly a 2-1 touchdown-interception ratio (29-15).
While trading draft picks for Glennon isn't ideal, Baltimore has the pieces, particularly after a deep draft concludes, to make a move. There have been whispers that tackle Eugene Monroe isn't happy in Baltimore, and the team hasn't explored moving him. However, with a brand new, promising tackle in Ronnie Stanley in purple and black, the team has more cushion to move a player such as Monroe to Tampa.
Most would agree a backup quarterback is more valuable than a backup offensive tackle. Ozzie wants the best-player-available, you say? Why not acquire a poor-man's Joe Flacco in case tragedy strikes again.
Ben Holmes is a sports reporter and producer for CBS Sports Radio in Baltimore MD. He covers Maryland Terrapins Basketball and Football for Baltimore's 105.7 The Fan. You can follow Ben on twitter@HolmesOnSports.
