QB U: Glennon to Start for Bucs

Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman ranks dead last in the NFL in passer rating, has twice failed to complete 50% of his passes in games this season, has a 45.7% overall completion percentage, has thrown just two touchdowns compared to three picks, slept through the team photo, and now he will find himself on the bench in favor of rookie Mike Glennon.

Glennon, a third round pick, will become the third current starting quarterback in the NFL from N.C. State. If he can have anything near the success of predecessors Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson, who respectively rank second and third in the league in passer rating, he should stick as a starter and perhaps help reverse the fortunes of the Bucs. Tampa Bay is 0-3 despite a defense that ranks in the top half of the league both in terms of points and yardage allowed.

Glennon became just the second Pack QB to pass for 4,000 yards a year ago, and he is second all-time in the program with a career 60.4% completion rate. He passed for 31 touchdowns in both of his years as a starter, eclipsed 300 yards passing in a game eight times, and twice tossed five touchdowns in one game.

After the Bucs' lethargic 23-3 loss to New England Sunday, Coach Greg Schiano said Freeman would remain the starter for at least one more week. However, the opportunity to give Glennon a start at home, with a bye week to follow to analyze his performance, ultimately tipped the scale in the rookie's favor. Tampa welcomes Arizona to Raymond James Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m.