Bucs' Josh McCown a big Mike Glennon fan

TAMPA — The quarterback of the present believes the quarterback of the future will have a great career.

Josh McCown says he has been impressed with Mike Glennon's work ethic and skill set and believes the second-year pro will be successful in the NFL.

McCown's comments Tuesday came a few days after coach Lovie Smith declared the 24-year-old Glennon the team's "quarterback of the future.'' McCown, 34, signed a two-year, $10 million contract in March and was immediately named the starter.

"My hope is that one day Mike Glennon is a Hall of Famer," McCown said. "I'd take great pride in saying you had a small part in that, man. He has everything out in front of him, so it's just helping him and making him better. Whenever that time is, that time is. Whenever you have two guys pushing and working with each other, both parties wanting the best for the team, you can capture something special."

What in particular has impressed McCown about the 6-foot-6, 225-pound Glennon? "I just like his skill set," he said. "He throws the ball well. His arm strength obviously is well above average. He can spin it, man. He can really spin it. And he's a hard worker, he loves football."

That said, McCown — who has been described as the bridge to the next Bucs quarterback — says he's thankful for the opportunity at this stage of his career to be the starter. "I don't know if you can be a bridge to yourself. I've said this over and over again, the perspective from me is this is an awesome opportunity," McCown said. "It's humbling."

BIG TARGETS: The addition of 6-foot-5 WR Mike Evans and 6-foot-5 TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins to 6-5 WR Vincent Jackson gives McCown a comfort zone with some big targets. His success with the Bears came by throwing to 6-4 WR Brandon Marshall and 6-foot-3 wideout Alshon Jeffery. "It's a pretty good advantage at times because as a quarterback it gives you a comfort zone to know especially with the long arms they're going to be able to extend their arms and it's tough to fight through those guys," McCown said.

MISSING MAN: Smith made a point to fly in his rookies Sunday — the day after the draft was completed — to get a head start on their acclimation, but second-rounder Seferian-Jenkins hasn't arrived. To encourage more prospects to finish their spring classes, the NFL doesn't allow a rookie to participate in team activities — except for a three-day rookie minicamp — until his spring semester classes and final exams are completed. Seferian-Jenkins is schedule to join the Bucs on Friday for the three-day minicamp.

ONE MORE: Undrafted LB Steven Jenkins, who led Texas A&M in tackles last season, signed Tuesday, joining fellow Aggies Evans, the No. 7 overall pick Thursday night, and undrafted free agent LB Nate Askew. Another Aggie, CB Toney Hurd, is expected to attend the minicamp as a tryout. The Bucs waived RB Michael Smith, a seventh-round pick in 2012 who played in only one game in his two seasons.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.