Bucs look at Bouman
The Bucs may not be satisfied with their quarterback situation.
Tampa Bay worked out former Vikings and Saints veteran Todd Bouman Monday. The nine-year veteran started the final three games for the Saints last season after Aaron Brooks was benched.
""He had a very good workout,'' said Bouman's agent, Gary Uberstine. ""He's on the Bucs short list if they need someone.''
Uberstine said Bouman will work out with the Cleveland Browns this week.
The audition came one day after quarterback Chris Simms threw three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown in the Bucs' 27-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Rookie Bruce Gradkowski replaced Simms and went 1-of-5 passing for 4 yards. Veteran Tim Rattay was the Bucs' inactive third quarterback Sunday.
Bouman's workout with the Bucs was scheduled prior to the season-opening loss to the Ravens.
Bouman, 34, spent his first six years with the Vikings before he was traded to the Saints in 2003.
Last season, Bouman went 68-of-122 for 722 yards with two touchdowns and seven interceptions after taking the helm from Brooks for the final three games.
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The Bucs brought a lot of the misery on themselves having got rid of Brad Johnson, Warrick Dunn and trying to go on the cheap.
Posted by: BUD RAYBURN | September 13, 2006 at 07:43 AM
I don't think all the blame should come on Simms...their offensive line didn't help very much either
Posted by: T | September 13, 2006 at 11:01 AM
It looked to me like the rest of the team was intentionally not helping out Simms ... as though they wanted him to fail, get sacked, etc. They played differently when Gradokowski was at the helm - but by then it was too late. And the attitude that allows for 'it's just the first game' kind of thinking has got to be addressed and cured!
Posted by: Scott | September 13, 2006 at 11:40 AM
But you failed to mention that they also worked out Stefan Lefors, a perfect fit for Gruden's scheme (albeit a left-handed version of Gradkowski). Bauman's not that good; I can't understand the interest. He's never been a starter in the NFL (except for those three late season games last year), is known for a lack of accuracy, and isn't exactly a great locker room presence. Why bother, Gruden?
Posted by: Matt S. | September 13, 2006 at 01:53 PM
I've never thought Simms was as good as Gruden thinks he is, but after all, Gruden cleaned house after the Bucs won the Super Bowl. What did he expect?
Posted by: Sharon Turk | September 13, 2006 at 07:10 PM
Yeah, I'm confused by the quarterback tryouts. Any theories?
So if you're not happy with Simms, you don't try out a guy like Bouman -- who would seem to be below Rattay on the depth chart, nor LeFors, because you already got one of those in Gradkowski. And if you don't like Gradkowski then you make him your #3, not the #2 he is now. And if you don't like Rattay, well, that's the only thing that makes sense really. Maybe you want another veteran for the contingency where (1) Simms goes down, (2) Gradkowski proves to be too rookie to step in and (3) you've already decided Rattay is not your man. I don't know.
Maybe Gruden believes Tim can step it up and these are ploys to toy with his mind/motivate him. First you slip him to #3, then you threaten to replace him with a guy like Bouman. And if none of that works, you know he's a lost cause and you cut bait.
Anyone got any better ideas?
Posted by: Hank | September 13, 2006 at 09:06 PM