Koetter wants Mike Glennon to remain with Bucs

BOCA RATON — Dirk Koetter isn't eager to see backup QB Mike Glennon traded. But the Bucs coach says if that happens, the team has a good option in No. 3 Ryan Griffin, who was claimed off waivers from the Saints at the start of last season.

Griffin never has taken an NFL snap.

Does the thought of trading the 26-year-old Glennon, who has started 18 games in the league but didn't take a snap last season, make Koetter nervous going into his first season as coach?

"Yeah, a little, because I'm on record as saying I think Mike is a starter in the NFL," Koetter said. "I'm a huge Mike Glennon fan. I'd love to have Mike Glennon on our football team, but it's a business and if something happens that he's not with us, that's why we acquired Ryan Griffin last year to hopefully ascend into that spot at some point.

"But we're just going to have to see how it plays out."

Griffin, 26, left Tulane with passing records for attempts, completions and completion percentage. Despite passing for 9,026 yards, 56 touchdowns and 35 interceptions, he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013 with the Saints.

"He really throws the ball well. He's got nice touch," Koetter said. "We have a limited amount of film to look at in the preseason (with the Saints), but we like what he did."

COACH-SPEAK: Koetter was among the NFC coaches who met with reporters Wednesday at the league's annual owners' meetings. Among the highlights from the Bucs' boss:

• Expect Tampa Bay to practice twice in preseason camp with other NFL teams. Koetter said he likes going against other squads and has some "gentleman's agreements" in place already with other teams.

• DE Jacquies Smith had surgery to clean up his shoulder and might miss OTA workouts in the spring as a result.

• Koetter said he will open camp with Demar Dotson as the starting right tackle, with Gosder Cherilus as the "swing tackle" backing up both tackle spots. Kevin Pamphile's versatility will allow him to work at all five spots across the line as necessary.